Date of Award
5-2014
Document Type
Honors Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences
Advisor/Committee Chair
Hugh Wood Johnson III
Abstract
Southerly Mohawk-Hudson Convergence (SMHC) is a mesoscale phenomenon over New York’s Capital Region whereby a southwesterly wind flow over Eastern New York is channeled by the mountainous terrain westerly through the Mohawk River Valley and southerly through the Hudson River Valley. When these winds converge over the Capital Region, thunderstorms may suddenly erupt, disrupting air and ground traffic in the area. On rare occasions, these storms may be severe. This is the first comprehensive study to be conducted on this phenomenon. Climatology was compiled and showed that SMHC occurs on average at least twice a year. A case study was completed for an event on 22 June 2008 where SMHC was believed to be responsible for the formation of a supercell over Schenectady County, New York. Several ingredients which were found to be present likely contributed to the formation of this storm- ample instability and moisture in the boundary layer, convergence wind flow, gentle surface winds, and relatively weak synoptic forcing.
Recommended Citation
Bloecker, Christine Elizabeth, "“Southerly Mohawk Hudson Convergence”- An exploratory case study of terrain-induced wind convergence on the formation of thunderstorms in New York’s Capital Region" (2014). Atmospheric & Environmental Sciences. 7.
https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/honorscollege_daes/7