A Catalina Eddy forms when
upper level large-scale flow off
Point Conception interacts with
the complex topography of the
Southern California coastline.
As a result, a counter clockwise
circulating low pressure area
forms with its center in the
vicinity of Catalina Island. This
formation is accompanied by a
southerly shift in coastal winds,
a rapid increase in the depth of
the marine layer, and a
thickening of the coastal
stratus. Predominately these
eddies occur between April and
September with a peak in June.
- NOAA Glossary
Project BASIN 1984
Basic studies on Airflow, Smog and the Inversion
SYNOPTIC
SYNOPTIC
Montgomery
streamfunction
The quantity gz + cpT
measured on an
isentropic surface.
This is the
streamfunction for the
geostrophic wind on
the isentropic surface.
Winds indicate catalina eddy
Inversion base rises
CENTRAL
NORTH
COASTAL
EAST
NORTH
WEST
WEST
FAR
WEST