baroclinic disturbance

baroclinic disturbance

[¦bar·ə¦klin·ik di′stər·bəns] (meteorology) Any migratory cyclone associated with strong baroclinity of the atmosphere, evidenced on synoptic charts by temperature gradients in the constant-pressure surfaces, vertical wind shear, tilt of pressure troughs with height, and concentration of solenoids in the frontal surface near the ground. Also known as baroclinic wave.