Diffluent thermal trough

{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-004996",
  "term": "Diffluent thermal trough",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definition": "A pattern in the thickness (layer-mean temperature) field in which the contours of a cold trough spread apart downstream. In Sutcliffe's development theory, the spreading of the contours weakens the thermal wind along the flow and so marks a preferred region for surface pressure change, either cyclonic or anticyclonic development. It is one of four classical thermal patterns, the others being the confluent thermal trough and the diffluent and confluent thermal ridges.",
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/diffluent-thermal-trough/"
}