Undular bore

From Glossary of Meteorology



undular bore[edit | edit source]

A propagating disturbance that is characterized by a sudden and relatively permanent change in the height of a horizontal fluid interface and in the velocity of the fluid beneath the interface with oscillations of its depth, and of wind and temperature characteristics within it.

A classic example in the atmosphere is the morning glory phenomenon in Australia triggered by the sea breeze, which is characterized by a smooth band of cloud along the leading edge reminiscent of a gust-front arc cloud, and other interface bands along the wave crests of the following lower-amplitude waves. Undular bores can also occur in advance of cold-air outflows (gust fronts) from thunderstorms.
Compare gravity current.


Copyright 2024 American Meteorological Society (AMS). For permission to reuse any portion of this work, please contact permissions@ametsoc.org. Any use of material in this work that is determined to be “fair use” under Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act (17 U.S. Code § 107) or that satisfies the conditions specified in Section 108 of the U.S.Copyright Act (17 USC § 108) does not require AMS’s permission. Republication, systematic reproduction, posting in electronic form, such as on a website or in a searchable database, or other uses of this material, except as exempted by the above statement, require written permission or a license from AMS. Additional details are provided in the AMS Copyright Policy statement.