lavtrykks

Lavtrykks is a term used in several Nordic languages to denote low-pressure systems in meteorology. The word combines roots meaning low pressure, and the form lavtrykks appears in weather-related texts and forecasts as a plural noun. In English-language meteorology, these features are typically described as low-pressure systems or cyclones.

A low-pressure system is an area where atmospheric pressure is lower than in the surrounding region. At its center, air tends to rise, leading to adiabatic cooling, condensation, and cloud formation. Such systems are commonly associated with unsettled weather, including clouds, precipitation, and sometimes strong winds. The arrangement of isobars around the center shows tighter spacing as the system intensifies, and maps often mark the center with an L in English-language forecasts.

Formation and movement are driven by temperature contrasts, moisture, and the Coriolis effect. Low-pressure systems can deepen or weaken depending on upper-atmosphere patterns, jet stream position, and the availability of warm or moist air. They travel over land and sea, their tracks influenced by larger-scale pressure fields and terrain features.

Impact and usage: Lavtrykks influence daily weather forecasts, aviation routes, maritime planning, and disaster preparedness. Forecasters monitor these systems with observations from weather stations, radars, satellites, and numerical models to predict their intensity and path.

See also: Low-pressure system, cyclone, weather map, isobar, meteorology.