Case studies of frontal passages in a mountain valley with direct access to the bavarian pre-Alpine region results from the German Front Experiment 1987

Summary The orographic impact on cold fronts is investigated in the Loisach River Valley area by means of two events obtained during the German Front Experiment 1987. The discussion is focussed on the frontal passages in the Garmisch area traced from continuous recordings of three meteorological/ air-chemical stations at different heights, viz: valley floor (735m), wank peak station (1780m) and Zugspitze station (2964m); the analysis also includes some aerological data (pibal ascents at Farchant near Garmisch) and sensitive pressure data from temporary stations in the Bavarian foreland, respectively.In the case of the west-east (or parallel to the mountains) moving front A (October 8, 1987), with prefrontal foehn, the following features were observed: i) formation of large (up to 7hPa/100 km up-valley directed pressure gradients after the frontal passage in the foreland, ii) intrusion of cold air from the foreland into the valley (lasting for several hours, filling the whole valley and even traceable at crest height), iii) destruction of upper level foehn current during the intrusion-phase, iv) retardation of the front (progressing rapidly in the foreland but being retarded by the mountains located to the west). In the case of the high-reaching, southward (or perpendicular to the mountains) moving D-front (December 18/19, 1987), such striking orographic modifications were not observed. In that case the mountains located to the west obviously did not act as noticeable barrier and, therefore, the flow around and over the mountains prevented the for ation of large pressure gradients between the foreland and the valley (and an intrusion into the valley).In both events it was confirmed that trace gas measurements provide a very promising tool to localize atmospheric flows indirectly.With 14 Figures     

Northern hemisphere atmospheric response to changes of atlantic ocean SST on decadal time scales: a GCM experiment

Analyses indicate that the Atlantic Ocean seasurface temperature (SST) was considerably colder at the beginning than in the middle of the century. In parallel, a systematic change in the North Atlantic sea-level pressure (SLP) pattern was observed. To find out whether the SST and SLP changes analyzed are consistent, which would indicate that the SST change was real and not an instrumental artifact, a response experiment with a low-resolution (T21) atmospheric GCM was performed. Two perpetual January simulations were conducted, which differ solely in the Atlantic Ocean (40° S-60° N) SST: the cold simulation utilizes the SSTs for the period 1904–1913; the warm simulation uses the SSTs for the period 1951–1960. Also, a control run with the model's standard SST somewhat between the cold and warm SST was made. For the response analysis, a rigorous statistical approach was taken. First, the null hypothesis of identical horizontal distributions was subjected to a multivariate significance test. Second, the level of recurrence was estimated. The multivariate statistical approaches are based on hierarchies of test models. We examined three different hierarchies: a scale-dependent hierarchy based on spherical harmonics (S), and two physically motivated ones, one based on the barotropic normal modes of the mean 300 hPa flow (B) and one based on the eigenmodes of the advection diffusion operator at 1000 hPa (A). The intercomparison of the cold and warm experiments indicates a signal in the geostrophic stream function that in the S-hierarchy is significantly nonzero and highly recurrent. In the A-hierarchy, the low level temperature field is identified as being significantly and recurrently affected by the altered SST distribution. The SLP signal is reasonably similar to the SLP change observed. Unexpectedly, the upper level stream-function signal does not appear to be significantly nonzero in the B-hierarchy. If, however, the pairs of experiments warm versus control and cold versus control are examined in the B-hierarchy, a highly significant and recurrent signal emerges. We conclude that the cold versus warm response is not a small disturbance that would allow the signal to be described by eigenmodes of the linear system. An analysis of the three-dimensional structure of the signal leads to the hypothesis that two different mechanisms are acting to modify the model's mean state. At low levels, local heating and advection are dominant, but at upper levels the extratropical signal is a remote responce to modifications of the tropical convection.This paper was presented at the International Conference on Modelling of Global Climate Change and Variability, held in Hamburg 11–15 September 1989 under the auspices of the Meteorological Institute of the University of Hamburg and the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology. Guest Editor for these papers is Dr. L. Dilmenil.AWI Publication no. 254     

Numerical modeling of the nocturnal urban boundary layer

A numerical case study with a second-order turbulence closure model is proposed to study the role of urban canopy layer (UCL) for the formation of the nocturnal urban boundary layer (UBL). The turbulent diffusion coefficient was determined from an algebraic stress model. The concept of urban building surface area density is proposed to represent the UCL. Calculated results were also compared with field observation data. The height of the elevated inversion above an urban center was simulated and found to be approximately twice the average building height. The turbulent kinetic energy k, energy dissipation rate , and turbulence intensities u ² and w ² increase rapidly at the upwind edge of the urban area. The Reynolds stress uw displayed a nearly uniform profile inside the UBL, and the vertical sensible heat flux w had a negative value at the inversion base height. This indicates that the downward transport of sensible heat from the inversion base may play an important role in the formation of the nocturnal UBL.     

Transport-Dissipation Analytical Solutions to the E-∈Turbulence Model and their Role in Predictions of the Neutral ABL

E- turbulence model predictions of the neutralatmospheric boundary layer (NABL) are reinvestigated to determine thecause for turbulence overpredictions found in previous applications. Analytical solutions to the coupled E and equations for the case of steady balance between transport and dissipation terms, the dominant balance just below the NABL top, are derived. It is found that analytical turbulence profiles laminarizeat a finite height only for values of closure parameter ratio c ₂ /_e equal toor slightly greater than one, with laminarization as z for greater . The point = 2 is additionally foundthat where analytical turbulent length scale (l) profilesmade a transition from ones ofdecreasing ( < 2) to increasing ( > 2)values with height. Numerically predicted profiles near the NABL topare consistent with analytical findings. The height-increasingvalues of l predicted throughout the NABL with standard values ofclosure parameters thus appear a consequence of 2.5(> 2), implied by these values (c ₂ = 1.92, _{= 1.3}, _{e = 1}). Comparison of numericalpredictions with DNS data shows that turbulence overpredictions obtained with standard-valued parameters are rectifiedby resetting and _e to 1.1 and 1.6, respectively, giving, with c ₂ = 1.92, 1.3, and laminarization of the NABL's cappingtransport-dissipation region at a finite height.     

Effect of land management on ecosystem carbon fluxes at a subalpine grassland site in the Swiss Alps

Summary The influence of agricultural management on the CO₂ budget of a typical subalpine grassland was investigated at the Swiss CARBOMONT site at Rigi-Seebodenalp (1025m a.s.l.) in Central Switzerland. Eddy covariance flux measurements obtained during the first growing season from the mid of spring until the first snow fall (17 Mai to 25 September 2002) are reported. With respect to the 10-year average 1992–2001, we found that this growing season had started 10 days earlier than normal, but was close to average temperature with above-normal precipitation (100–255% depending on month). Using a footprint model we found that a simple approach using wind direction sectors was adequate to classify our CO₂ fluxes as being controlled by either meadow or pasture. Two significantly different light response curves could be determined: one for periods with external interventions (grass cutting, cattle grazing) and the other for periods without external interventions. Other than this, meadow and pasture were similar, with a net carbon gain of –128±17g Cm^–2 on the undisturbed meadow, and a net carbon loss of 79±17g Cm^–2 on the managed meadow, and 270±24g Cm^–2 on the pasture during 131 days of the growing season, respectively. The grass cut in June reduced the gross CO₂ uptake of the meadow by 50±2% until regrowth of the vegetation. Cattle grazing reduced gross uptake over the whole vegetation period (37±2%), but left respiration at a similar level as observed in the meadow.     

A numerical case study of a cold air outbreak over East Asia during late spring

Summary A case study of a late spring cold air outbreak associated with heavy rainfall and snow storms over East Asia is carried out with a numerical model. This was the most severe case over northern China in 50 years. In the lower troposphere, the evolution of the edge anticyclone and the northerly low-level orographic jet east of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are well simulated in the ECMWF limited area model but the associated cold surge is under predicted. In the experiments with envelope and valley filled orography, results are improved. Neither cold surge nor strong frontogenesis is simulated in a no latent heating experiment, indicating that the feedback of latent heat release is quite essential to the burst of cold air in this case.With 9 Figures     

Analytical solutions for the Ekman layer

The PBL equation that governs the transition from the constant-stress surface layer to the geostrophic wind in a neutrally stratified atmosphere for which the eddy viscosityK(z) is assumed to vary smoothly from the surface-layer value U _*z (0.4,U _*=friction velocity,z=elevation) to the geostrophic asymptoteK _GU _*d forzd is solved through an expansion in fd/U _*1 (f=Coriolis parameter). The resulting solution is separated into Ekman's constant-K solution an inner component that reduces to the classical logarithmic form forzd and isO() relative to the Ekman component forzd. The approximationKU _*d is supported by the solution of Nee and Kovasznay's phenomenological transport equation forK(z), which yieldsK–U _*d exp(–z/d), where is an empirical constant for which observation implies, 1. The parametersA andB in Kazanskii and Monin's similarity relation forG/U _* (G=geostrophic velocity) are determined as functions of . The predicted values ofG/U _* and the turning angle are in agreement with the observed values for the Leipzig wind profile. The predicted value ofB based on the assumption of asymptotically constantK is 4.5, while that based on the Nee-Kovasznay model is 5.1; these compare with the observed value of 4.7 for the Leipzig profile. A thermal wind correction, an asymptotic solution for arbitraryK(z) and 1, and an exact (unrestricted ) solution forK(z)=U _*d[1–exp(–z/d)] are developed in appendices.     

An observational aircraft-based study of sea-breeze frontogenesis

In the summer of 1988/89 flights were carried out in the Coorong coastal area of South Australia to investigate sea-breeze fronts. The flights yielded data sets of the structure of the fronts in the cross-frontal direction with a spatial resolution of approximately 3 m. The study is focused on the budgets of sensible and latent heat in the vicinity of the front and on frontogenesis/frontolysis processes which are closely related to budget considerations.The frontogenesis relationships and the budgets were established on a 2 km length scale by low-pass filtering of the space series. As the wind components were measured with high accuracy, all processes which determine frontogenesis could be evaluated and are displayed in x,z-cross-sections: these are the confluence, shear and diabatic effects, all of which play a role in q/x-, q/z-, /x- as well as /z-frontogenesis. A detailed analysis is given for two different states of frontal development. The presented results shed much light on the governing physical processes in the frontal region with strong emphasis on the effects of confluence-generated updrafts, on shear instabilities causing bulges and clefts in the frontal surface as well as producing the elevated frontal head, and on processes related to differential heating and moistening.     

ALPEX-Simulation

Summary In a project ALPEX-Simulation, sponsored by the Österreichischer Fond zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung (FWF), all eight cases of ALPEX-SOP cyclones were numerically simulated with a fine mesh isentropic model of the atmosphere. These numerical simulations in six-hourly intervals allow a deeper insight into the synoptics and dynamics of the cyclogeneses in the Western Mediterranean, especially into the genesis of the two basic types of cyclones: the so-called Überströmungs-type and Vorderseiten-type. In the first phase of cyclogenesis of the Überströmungs-type, the blocking and flow splitting of the cold air due to the Alps and the canalization between the Alps and the Massif Central are important. Cold air flows cyclonically around the western part of the Alps, creating a vorticity maximum at the south western edge of the Alpine, bow and leads also to an enhanced PV. In connection with warm air in the Mediterranean, a strong baroclinic zone is generated. The interaction between the arriving PV maximum in the upper troposphere and the enhanced PV at the bottom leads to cyclogenesis in the Western Mediterranean. In the case of the Vorderseiten-type warm air advection dominates with the exception of a shallow layer of cold air in the inner Po-Valley, which is shielded by the Alpine ridge. A well-pronounced PV maximum builds up and couples with the PV maximum arriving at upper levels, even before the cold air, coming from the north-west, has surrounded the Alps. The cold air only intensifies the development by raising the baroclinity. Therefore, the Vorderseiten-cyclogenesis is an orographically modified cyclogenesis, in the course of which the cyclonic development is triggered by the Alps, whereas the Überströmungs-cyclogenesis is an orographically induced cyclogenesis i.e. a true lee cyclogenesis.With 14 FiguresDied in a tragic traffic accident on June 6, 1993.     

Three-dimensional modeling of synthetic cold fronts interacting with northern Alpine foehn

Summary The effect of the Alpine orography on prototype cold fronts approaching from the west is investigated by three-dimensional numerical model simulations. The numerical experiments cover a range of parameter constellations which govern the prefrontal environment of the front. Especially, the appearance and intensity of prefrontal northern Alpine foehn varies from case to case.The behaviour of a cold front north of the Alps depends much on the prefrontal condition it encounters. It is found that prefrontal foehn can either accelerate or retard the approaching front.An important feature is the pressure depression along the northern Alpine rim that results from the southerly foehn flow. In cases where this depression compensates the eastward directed pressure gradient associated with the largescale flow, the front tends to accelerate and the foehn breaks down as soon as the front passes. In contrast, the foehn prevents the front from a rapid eastward propagation if it is connected with a strong southerly wind component.No-foehn experiments are performed for comparison, where either the mountains are removed, or the static stability is set to neutral. Also shown are effects of different crossfrontal temperature contrasts.List of Symbols c _F propagation speed of a front - x, y horizontal grid spacing (cartesian system) - , horizontal grid spacing (geographic system) - t time step - z vertical grid spacing (cartesian system) - cross-frontal potential temperature difference - _i potential temperature step at an inversion - E turbulent kinetic energy - f Coriolis parameter - FGP frontogenesis parameter (see section 2.2) - g gravity acceleration (g=9.81 m s^–2) - vertical gradient of potential temperature - h terrain elevation (above MSL) - h _i height of an inversion (h _i =1000 m MSL) - H height of model lid (H=9000 m MSL) - K _M exchange coefficient of momentum - K _H exchange coefficient of heat and moisture - longitude - N Brunt-Väisäla-frequency - p pressure - Exner function (=T/) - latitude - q _v specific humidity - R _d gas constant of dry air (R _d =287.06 J kg^–1 K^–1) - density of dry air - t time - T temperature - potential temperature - TFP thermal front parameter (see section 2.2) - u, v, w cartesian wind components - u _g ,v _g geostrophic wind components - horizontal wind vector - x, y, z cartesian coordinates Abbreviations GND (above) ground level - MSL (above) mean sea level - UTC universal time coordinated With 20 Figures     

Homogeneity,spatial correlation and spectral variance analysis of long European and North American air temperature records

Summary Recently the authors have collected 242 surface air temperature records all over the world covering at least the 1881–1980 observation period. In this paper results of the statistical analysis of 118 European and 64 North American records are presented. As a first step the homogeneity of these records is tested using different statistical techniques. Secondly, the spatial correlations are assessed. These correlations appear to increase with the latitude and continentality of the stations. Finally, the spectral variance is analyzed using the conventional autocorrelation and the maximum entropy technique. Moreover, these techniques are applied in a dynamic way (moving with time). On the basis of this integrated and dynamic analysis the spatial pattern of spectral variance is characterized.

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Zusammenfassung Kürzlich haben die Autoren 242 Reihen der bodennahen Lufttemperatur aus aller Welt zusammengestellt, die mindestens den Beobachtungszeitraum 1881 – 1980 umfassen. In der vorliegenden Studie werden nun einige Ergebnisse der statistischen Analyse von 118 europäischen und 64 nordamerikanischen Reihen vorgestellt. Zuerst wird die Homogenität dieser Stationen mit Hilfe von verschiedenen Techniken getestet. Es folgt eine Abschätzung der räumlichen Korrelationen. Dabei zeigt sich, daß diese Korrelationen mit der geographischen Breite und der Kontinentalität der Stationen ansteigen. Zuletzt wird die spektrale Verteilung der Varianz sowohl mittels der herkömmlichen Autokorrelations-als auch mittels der Maximum-Entropie Technik analysiert. Diese Techniken werden auch dynamisch, d. h. gleitend mit der Zeit, angewandt. Auf der Basis dieser integrierten und dynamischen Analyse lassen sich die räumlichen Muster der spektralen Varianz charakterisieren.

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With 8 Figures     

Effects of water vapour on the structure parameter of the refractive index for near-infrared radiation

The refractive index of air (n) mainly depends on temperature andwater vapour content. For near-infrared radiation, temperature isthe main determining factor. To determinethe structure parameter of temperature ( ) fromthe structure parameter of the refractive index( ), the influence ofwater vapour content on n needs to be taken into account as acorrection. Three levels of approximation are presented. The firstinvolves the standard deviations of T and q (_T and_q) as well as the correlation coefficient betweenT and q (R_Tq). The second approximation involvesR_Tq and the Bowen ratio (), and the last uses only the Bowen ratio.The latter is the classical Bowen ratio correction.Evaluation of the validity of the assumptions used in the derivationreveals that a large error may be introduced (for situations withR_Tq < 0.8) by replacing _T/_qwith the Bowen ratio.Consequently, estimating from using the Bowen ratiocan contain errors of 5–40% for || < 1. Adding R_Tqas extra information reduces the errors only marginally. For || > 1,the correction is small, and all three approximations give errors of lessthan 1% in . When is used to compute the sensible heat flux,the influence of the quality of the correction forwater vapour fluctuations on the measured energy balance is small: forsmall ||, the correction is large, but the absolute value ofthe heat flux is small, whereas for large ||, the correctionis insignificant.     

On some new statistical characteristics of the wind “Koshava”

Summary Koshava is a gusty wind of moderate to strong intensity, blowing from the south-eastern direction, over the area of the Republic of Serbia. It is caused by the interaction between the synoptic circulation and the orography of the Carpathian and the Balkan mountains. The Koshava wind can damage buildings, factories and industrial plants or city infrastructure. Therefore it is important to estimate its gust and the gustiness factor on the basis of the measured data.This paper discusses a statistical analysis of wind data in the maximum influence area of the Koshava wind in the periods of maximum duration of Koshava. The focus of the paper is the examination of urban and suburban effects on Koshava wind and the correlation between the instantaneous maximum wind speed and the hourly mean wind speed. The best fitting with various empirical distributions is proposed.With 10 Figures     

Rainwater composition over a rural area with special emphasis on the size distribution of insoluble particulate matter

The rainwater composition in the vicinity of Mainz, FRG, has been investigated with special emphasis on insoluble constituents. The number size distribution was determined in the range from 0.1 m up to 100 m radius. For particles with r>0.5 m radius the shape of the size distribution of insoluble particles in rain follows the shape of the average urban and rural aerosol. In this particular size range no major size selective removal processes could be seen. For r<0.5 m the number size distribution tends to flatten compared to the average aerosol. This might be the indication of a size selective removal process (Greenfield Gap).     

Analyzing the basic features of different complex terrain flows by means of a Doppler Sodar and a numerical model: Some implications for air pollution problems

Summary A variety of programmes and field experiments were carried out in order to develop and evaluate models of transport and diffusion of pollutants in complex terrain areas. As part of this programme, in this study, we have focused our interest on analyzing the basic features of different flow fields and thermal structures developed in a complex area and their relation to air pollution problems. The area is located in the province of Barcelona (in the northeast of Spain) close to a wide industrial zone, thus a pollutant flux could affect this region. In order to carry out the main purpose of this study we have analysed data from a Doppler Sodar (FAS 64) and a network of near surface meteorological and air quality stations. In addition, different dynamical simulations given by a numerical mesoscale model (MM5) are also analyzed. The results show that the main flow fields and thermal structures generated in this area are: sea breeze, slope drainage winds, channelling winds created by terrain constrictions and cool-air accumulation in low-lying regions. This last structure, developed specially in winter time, gives rise to stagnant cold air masses and strong thermic inversions, with average lapse rate of –4 degrees on 100m, which contribute to increase air pollution concentration, especially SO₂. Hourly and daily averaged SO₂ concentration can be higher than 350 and 138µgm^–3 respectively. In addition, as La Plana is located not far from the Mediterranean Sea, during summertime the sea breeze arrives into this zone via its southern entrance, thereby reaching the whole area. The arrival of the sea breeze in to La Plana, which advects pollutants from the nearby industrial area, is the main cause of some of these pollutants, especially ozone and its precursors, attaining high concentrations during afternoon hours. The contribution of the sea breeze is variable, but could represent between a 25% to a 30% of its total value.     

Reactions of alkoxy radicals under atmospheric conditions: The relative importance of decomposition versus reaction with O2

The reactions of alkoxy radicals determine to a large extent the products formed during the atmospheric degradations of emitted organic compounds. Experimental data concerning the decompositions, 1,5-H shift isomerizations and reactions with O₂ of several classes of alkoxy radicals are inconsistent with literature estimations of their absolute or relative rate constants. An alternative, although empirical, method for assessing the relative importance under atmospheric conditions of the reactions of alkoxy radicals with O₂ versus decomposition was derived. This estimation method utilizes the differences in the heats of reaction, (H)=(H_{decomposition}–H_{O 2 reaction}), between these two reactions pathways. For (H)[22–0.5(H_{O 2 reaction})], alkoxy radical decomposition dominates over the reaction with O₂ at room temperature and atmospheric pressure of air, while for (H)[25-0.5(H_{O 2 reaction})], the O₂ reaction dominates over decomposition (where the units of H are in kcal mol^–1). The utility and shortcomings of this approach are discussed. It is concluded that further studies concerning the reactions of alkoxy radicals are needed.     

Slope and free air temperature in the Inn valley

Summary Hourly screen temperatures were collected over a four-year period for six stations from the Inn valley floor (580 masl) up the Nordketten slope toHafelekar (2260 masl). In this paper, we develope methods for correcting the observed screen temperatures, converting them into temperatures of the free valley atmosphere. Because of the combined effects of the screen and the slope layer, slope temperatures are, on average, too cold at night and too warm in the daytime.A correction function modelled after the daily march of solar radiation works well for all stations except theHungerburg. Temperatures there are, on average, up to 2.5°C too cold on clear nights, compared to the valley atmosphere, and too warm by up to 1.8°C in the daytime. A modified correction function was derived for the Hungerburg site.The suitability of the correction functions is checked by various, mostly indirect methods, the most important of which utilizes statistics of the daily range of temperature. As a final, integral check on our correction scheme, we compute vertical averages of these daily ranges, obtaining excellent agreement with mean daily ranges derived barometrically from hourly pressure recordings atInnsbruck andHafelekar.With 7 Figures     

A study of the sensitivity of bare soil evaporation schemes to soil surface wetness,using the coupled soil moisture and surface temperature prediction model,BARESOIL

Summary The performance of evaporation schemes with and approach and their combination within resistance representation of evaporation from bare soil surface is discussed. For this purpose nine schemes, based on different functions of or , on the ratio of the volumetric soil moisture content and its saturated value are used.The quality of the chosen schemes has been evaluated using the results of time integration by the coupled soil moisture and surface temperature prediction model, BARESOIL, using in situ data. A sensitivity analysis was made using two sets of data derived from the volumetric soil moisture content of the top soil layer. One with values below the wilting point (0.17 m³m^–3) and the second with values above 0.20m³m^–3. Data sets were obtained at the experimental site Rimski anevi, Yugoslavia, from the bare surface of a chernozem soil.With 4 Figures     

Trace gas exchange at the air/water interface: Measurements of mass accommodation coefficients

A liquid jet of 90 m diameter and variable length has been utilized to determine absorption rates and, hence, mass accommodation coefficients , of atmospheric trace gases. The compounds investigated are HCl (0.01), HNO₃ (0.01), N₂O₅ (0.005), peroxyacetyl nitrate (>0.001), and HONO (0.005). It is concluded that the absorption of these trace gases by liquid atmospheric water is not significantly retarded by interfacial mass transport. The strengths and limitations of the liquid jet technique for measuring mass accommodation coefficients are explored.     

Plötzlicher Herztod und Wetter

Zusammenfassung An einem Material von 100 Fällen eindeutig gesicherten Herztodes, die im Institut für Gerichtliche und Soziale Medizin in Frankfurt am Main aus einem bestimmten Bereich — Raum Frankfurt am Main — und einer bestimmten zeit—Kalenderjahre 1948 bis 1950—zur Autopsie gelangten, einerseits und den bioklimatischen Daten für den gleichen Raum und die gleiche Zeit anderseits, wurde der Zusammenhang von Herztodesfällen und Wettervorgängen mit der Wahrscheinlichkeitsüberlegung, dem Wahrscheinlichkeitsintegral und formalstatistischen Methoden überprüft. Die Auswertung ergab, daß eine starke Abhängigkeit des Herztodes vom Wettergeschehen besteht. Die Häufung der Herztodesfälle konnte für die Sammelgruppe Wetterstörungen, für labiles Aufgleiten, Warmfront mit Aufgleiten und Kaltfront mit Turbulenz ebenso eindeutig gesichert werden, wie die Verminderung der Herztodesfälle in störungsfreien Zeiten. Die hohe Wahrscheinlichkeit einer Beziehung besteht ferner für Kaltfront mit Aufgleiten und in geringerem Maße auch für Föhndurchbruch. Während bei Okklusion das Material zu einem abschließenden Urteil zu gering war, konnte bei allen übrigen Wetterlagen eine Beziehung zum plötzlichen Herztod nicht nachgewiesen werden. Auch für die Gruppen, bei denen eine enge Beziehung statistisch gesichert werden konnte, sei betont, daß die Wettervorgänge nicht die alleinige Ursache des plötzlichen Herztodes, sondern nur ein auslösendes Moment bei schon vorher schwer geschädigten Herzen darstellen.

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Summary On the basis of 100 ascertained cases of cardiac death from a certain region—province Frankfort on-the-Main—and a certain period—calendar years 1948 to 1950—, submitted to autopsy in the Institute for Legal and Social Medicine at Frankfort on-the-Main, and of bioclimatic data from the same region and period, the relation between cardiac death and meteorological phenomena was examined by means of probability considerations, the probability integral, and methods of formal statistics. Evaluation of this material showed cardiac death to be strongly dependent on weather conditions. Increase of frequency of cardiac death could be established without any doubt for the collective groups weather disturbances, unstable ascending motion, warm front with ascending motion, cold front with turbulence, whereas decrease of frequency was found in undisturbed periods. Furthermore, high probability of an existing relation was found for cold front with ascending motion and, to a lesser degree, also for foehn invasion. As to occlusion no definite conclusions could be drawn for scarcity of observations. For all the other weather types no relation to sudden cardiac death could be proved. Meteorological phenomena are by no means the only cause of sudden cardiac death, not even for the groups in which a close relation could be established statistically. They have but an initiatory effect in case of prior severe heart diseases.

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Résumé Disposant d'un matériel médical de 100 cas de mort cardiaque qui ont fait l'objet d'autopsies à l'Institut de médecine légale et sociale de Francfort sur le Mein (région de Francfort et période de 1948 à 1950), et disposant d'autre part pour la même région et pour la même période d'observations bioclimatologiques, l'auteur a étudié la relation de ces décès avec les phénomènes météorologiques à l'aide des méthodes modernes de statistique, de l'intégrale de probabilité etc. Le résultat montre une étroite dépendance centre les cas de mort cardiaque et les conditions météorologiques. On a pu vérifier sans doute possible l'augmentation des décès lors de «perturbations», d'«ascendances labiles», de «fronts chauds avec glissement ascendant», de «fronts froids avec turbulence», de même que leur diminution lors de périodes non troublées. La forte corrélation subsiste avec les «fronts froids avec ascendance» et à un moindre degré avec «l'invasion du foehn». Tandis que pour les «occlusions» le matériel disponible était trop restreint pour aboutir à une conclusion, l'examen des situations autres que les précédentes n'a pas conduit à une relation intime. Il convient de remarquer que pour tous les groupes de météores ayant donné une corrélation statistique très nette, les phénomènes météorologiques n'ont joué qu'un rôle déclancheur chez des malades déjà gravement atteints.

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