Abstract/Summary

This theme addresses all aspects of the dynamics and predictability of midlatitude weather systems including Rossby wave trains, high-pressure systems and blocking, extratropical cyclones and fronts, and also embedded mesoscale phenomena. A particular focus is on studies investigating interactions of these midlatitude systems with the (sub)tropics and polar regions, and on high-impact weather events. Also included are novel results from recent field experiments, theoretical and idealised studies, numerical modelling case studies, and ensemble and long-term evaluations of the forecasting performance for specific midlatitude weather systems. The article provides a selective overview of key research accomplishments during the last decade and highlights important open science questions for the coming years - some of them requiring continued international collaboration and increased cooperation between operational weather centres and academic research institutions.