Open AccessA Comparison of Winter Orographic Storms over the San Juan Mountains and the Sierra Nevada
Author(s) -
John D. Marwitz
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
meteorological monographs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.32
H-Index - 3
eISSN - 1943-3646
pISSN - 0065-9401
DOI - 10.1175/0065-9401-21.43.109
Subject(s) - orographic lift , storm , geology , winter storm , orography , climatology , meteorology , oceanography , geography , precipitation
The winter orographic storms over the San Juan Mountains and the Sierra Nevada are compared. The topography of the San Juans is complex while the Sierra barrier is comparatively simple. The barrier jet is well developed upwind of the Sierra Nevada and its development is restricted upwind of the San Juans. The major difference between the storms on the two barriers is that the Sierra Nevada storms are typically maritime while the San Juan storms are continental. The implications for seeding are discussed.