Presentation Title
An Analysis of the Effects of Terrain on the Occurrence of Severe Weather in Upstate New York Utilizing Computer Model Simulations
Panel Name
The Climate, the Atmosphere and the Beyond
Location
Lecture Center 3C
Start Date
3-5-2019 4:15 PM
End Date
3-5-2019 5:00 PM
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Academic Major
Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences
Abstract
Predicting the development and occurrence of severe thunderstorms in upstate New York is a challenge due to the complex terrain that is present in the region. Previous research on severe weather cases in the region has suggested that the Mohawk and Hudson Valleys can influence the occurrence of severe weather. Specifically, flow channeling can increase low-level wind shear and enhance instability in valley locations, and therefore it can produce a localized environment that is favorable for severe weather. This previous research was limited by the relatively sparse observational network present in upstate New York prior to the installation of the New York State Mesonet. This study complements this previous research by analyzing the impact of flow channeling on severe weather utilizing high-resolution computer model simulations.
Three severe weather cases have been analyzed to examine the impact of flow channeling on severe weather. This presentation will focus on one high-impact case that occurred on 31 May 1998. On this day, a damaging F3 tornado occurred in the Hudson Valley, impacting Mechanicville, New York. A high-resolution Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model simulation of this event suggests that flow channeling in this case resulted in the development of a distinct moisture gradient and wind shift at the intersection of the Mohawk and Hudson valleys. The environment to the east of the boundary was characterized by extreme low-level wind shear and enhanced instability, favoring the intensification of a simulated supercell thunderstorm and enhancing the likelihood of tornadogenesis as the supercell approached Mechanicville.
Select Where This Work Originated From
Independent Study
Award
Presidential Award
First Faculty Advisor
Brian Tang
First Advisor Email
btang@albany.edu
First Advisor Department
Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences
Second Faculty Advisor
Ross Lazear
Second Faculty Advisor Email
rlazear@albany.edu
Second Advisor Department
Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences
The work you will be presenting can best be described as
Finished or mostly finished by conference date
An Analysis of the Effects of Terrain on the Occurrence of Severe Weather in Upstate New York Utilizing Computer Model Simulations
Lecture Center 3C
Predicting the development and occurrence of severe thunderstorms in upstate New York is a challenge due to the complex terrain that is present in the region. Previous research on severe weather cases in the region has suggested that the Mohawk and Hudson Valleys can influence the occurrence of severe weather. Specifically, flow channeling can increase low-level wind shear and enhance instability in valley locations, and therefore it can produce a localized environment that is favorable for severe weather. This previous research was limited by the relatively sparse observational network present in upstate New York prior to the installation of the New York State Mesonet. This study complements this previous research by analyzing the impact of flow channeling on severe weather utilizing high-resolution computer model simulations.
Three severe weather cases have been analyzed to examine the impact of flow channeling on severe weather. This presentation will focus on one high-impact case that occurred on 31 May 1998. On this day, a damaging F3 tornado occurred in the Hudson Valley, impacting Mechanicville, New York. A high-resolution Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model simulation of this event suggests that flow channeling in this case resulted in the development of a distinct moisture gradient and wind shift at the intersection of the Mohawk and Hudson valleys. The environment to the east of the boundary was characterized by extreme low-level wind shear and enhanced instability, favoring the intensification of a simulated supercell thunderstorm and enhancing the likelihood of tornadogenesis as the supercell approached Mechanicville.