Further investigation of synoptic and mesoscale features in previous central United States winter storms compared to southeast, middle Atlantic and northeast events

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] This further study considers parameters relevant to most intense precipitation during another nine selected central United States events and compares them to parameters relevant to most intense precipitation during nine selected southeast, middle Atlantic and northeast United States cases. The central United States parameters found to be relevant include omega ([omega]) [greater than or equal to]0.20 (Pa s[superscript -1]) 850hpa, [omega greater than or equal to]0.10 (Pa s[superscript -1]), TROWAL, CSI and EPV, Frontogenesis (850hpa, 700hpa-500hpa), Elevated Convection, Mesoscale Gravity Wave Interaction, EPVg and CI [(800-750hpa), (650-500hpa)], Differential Vorticity Advection (850-500hpa), mean RH[greater thanor equal to]70%(700 - 500hpa), 850hpa convergence and 250hpa divergence, enhanced IR satellite imagery, cyclonic advection of [theta]e, Q vector convergence, 1000-500hpa critical thickness and 850hpa temperature gradients ([degrees]K). The southeast, middle Atlantic and northeast United States parameters found to be relevant include [omega greater than or equal to]0.20 (Pa s[superscript -1]), Low Level Jet (LLJ), CSI/MSI and EPV, Frontogenesis (850hpa, 700hpa?500hpa), Evaporative Cooling, Cyclone tracks and cyclogenesis, Latent Heat Release (LHR), Elevated Convection, Mesoscale Gravity Wave Interaction, EPVg and CI [(800-750hpa), (650-500hpa)], Differential Positive Vorticity Advection (700-400hpa), TROWAL, 700hpa Absolute Vorticity, mean RH[greater than or equal to]70%(700 - 500hpa), 850hpa convergence and 250hpa divergence, warm air advection(WAA), cold air advection(CAA), jet streak induced Ageostrophic circulation, potential vorticity(PV) advection into cyclone center, 1000-500hpa thickness, 850hpa temperature gradients([degrees]K) and isentropic potential vorticity(IPV). Although this study shows [omega greater than or equal to]-0.175 during all events, this research study depicts how other synoptic and mesoscale parameters interact with negative omega or each other to produce intense precipitation, in particular snowfall, during each of the studied cases, regardless of region.