frontogenetic

English

Etymology

From front +‎ -o- +‎ genetic.

Adjective

frontogenetic (not comparable)

1. (meteorology) Tending to maintain or intensify horizontal temperature gradients, which are associated with enhanced precipitation in large scale storm systems.
   • 1989, Contributions to Atmospheric Physics:

     In studying frontogenetic processes in the lower boundary layer, which will maintain or strengthen the horizontal temperature gradient across the surface front the question arises as to how important frictional effects will be.

   • 2003, Walter J. Saucier, Principles of Meteorological Analysis, →ISBN, page 367:

     That definition of frontogenesis differs somewhat from the familiar Petterssen "frontogenetic factor," which we have termed "horizontal accumulation" and which does not consider adequately the vertical continuity of the frontal zone.

   • 2013, H. H. Lamb, Weather, Climate and Human Affairs, →ISBN, page 271:

     In some winters, however, the Eurasian snow-cover ultimately becomes firmly established as far west as the Harz Mountains in northern Germany, or even as far as the British Isles, and the frontogenetic belt is near this boundary, orientated from NW to Se or from N to S.