Date of Award

5-2014

Document Type

Honors Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences

Advisor/Committee Chair

Lance F. Bosart

Committee Member

Robert Gaza

Abstract

Downsloping is a process which has an impact on many precipitation events in the Capital District of New York State. This study examines the effect of 850 hPa and 925 hPa mean vector wind direction, as well as the individual 850 hPa and 925 hPa wind directions observed through soundings, during precipitation events on precipitation distributions in the Capital District of New York State. Results from this study suggests that 850 hPa and 925 hPa mean vector wind as well as the 850 hPa and 925 hPa wind favor downsloping off of the Greens and Taconics, and therefore lower precipitation totals to the east of Albany when the wind direction is between 30 and 150 degrees. The opposite effect (increased precipitation totals to the east of the Hudson Valley) was observed when there was a strong westerly component of the wind, due to upslope flow.

Download

Share

COinS