Iceland low
The Icelandic Depression is a low pressure area within the planetary frontal zone that is almost constantly formed over the North Atlantic in the area of Iceland . It is a weather-effective action center for Europe , through which the west and north-west European region in particular receives the majority of its precipitation . In the winter months, its special characteristics lead to hurricane-like air movements in the area of the North Sea .
Emergence
Even if it may seem like that, the Icelandic Depression is not stationary, but moves, like any other low pressure area , with the vertical current . It owes its status of an action center above all to the almost always identical place of origin (Iceland) and the similar conditions of origin. The clash of continental cold air ( Newfoundland , Greenland ) and the warm current ( Gulf Stream ) is of decisive importance. Due to the fact that the warm air now slides onto the cold air, the mixed air swirls and thus forms a deep.
location
Since the Icelandic Depression is not stationary, its position on the Atlantic changes over the course of the year. Due to the lower energy deficit at the North Pole , the summer low is in the Labrador Sea . In winter, on the other hand, it is mostly found southeast of Iceland in the European Arctic Ocean. As a result of the westerly wind drift , it migrates to the east, and is thus the starting point for most of the forms of the Atlantic lows that determine the weather in northern Europe (Jutland, Skagerrak, southern and northern Scandinavia types).
See also
Web links
- Iceland low . DWD: Weather dictionary (pdf; 121 kB)