A
cold-core low, also known as a
upper level low or
cold-core cyclone, is a
cyclone aloft which has an associated cold pool of air residing at high altitude within the Earth's
troposphere. It is a low pressure system which strengthens with height in accordance with the
thermal wind relationship. These systems can be referred to as upper level lows. If a weak surface circulation forms in response to such a feature at subtropical latitudes of the eastern north
Pacific or north
Indian oceans, it is called a
subtropical cyclone. Cloud cover and rainfall mainly occurs with these systems during the day.
Severe weather, such as
tornadoes, can occur near the center of cold-core lows. Cold lows can help spawn
cyclones with significant
weather impacts, such as
polar lows, and
Von Karman Vortices. In regard to tropical cyclones, cold lows can lead directly to their development due to their associated cold pool of air aloft or by acting as additional
outflow channels to aid in further development.