baroclinic disturbance
From Glossary of Meteorology
(Also called baroclinic wave.) Any migratory cyclone more or less associated with strong baroclinity of the atmosphere, evidenced on synoptic charts by temperature gradients in the constant-pressure surfaces, vertical wind shear, tilt of pressure troughs with height, and concentration of solenoids in the frontal surface near the ground.
Baroclinic disturbances play an important role in atmospheric energy conversion from potential energy to kinetic energy.
Compare barotropic disturbance.
