The utility of sounding and mesonet data to nowcast thunderstorm initiation
- NCAR, Boulder, CO (United States)
High-resolution mesonet observations and sounding data collected in northeast Colorado are examined to determine their utility for forecasting precisely when and where storms initiate along boundaries. Stability indices derived from mesonet and sounding data were useful in identifying stable regions where storm initiation was unlikely. In regions where indices indicated a degree of latent instability, storms often did not form and, if they did, their intensities were not correlated to the magnitude of the instability. Two-dimensional numerical model studies show that in a near-neutral environment, surface temperature and/or dewpoint fluctuations of 2-4 C can be significant for storm initiation. Mesonet and sounding data are primarily useful for identifying the potential within a mesoscale air mass for thunderstorm initiation. Mesonet spacing of 25 to 50 km and access to a morning sounding are felt to be adequate. 35 refs.
- OSTI ID:
- 6251820
- Journal Information:
- Weather and Forecasting; (United States), Vol. 8:1; ISSN 0882-8156
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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