A Simplified Surface Analysis for the Detection of Outflow Boundaries from Mesoscale Convective Complexes

• Main Author: Powell, Gregory
• Format: Others
• Published: TopSCHOLAR® 1983
• Subjects: Geography; Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/2725; https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3732&context=theses

A simplified surface analysis was developed to detect thunderstorm outflow boundaries that emanate from Mesoscale Convective Complexes (MCCs). The analysis consisted of the interpretation of visible and enhanced infrared satellite imagery, radar observations, and a limited number (10-12) of surface observations. Thirty MCCs were interpreted by the simplified analysis; nine produced identifiable outflow boundaries. Pre-boundary Cloud Cover (PCC) and radar echo intensities were analyzed to determine if a correlation existed between mean sky cover and thunderstorm intensity. Research established that no correlation exists between PCC and radar echo intensity. Recommendations were made for future research into outflow boundary identification by the simplified analysis. Specifically, it was recommended that continued work should be conducted on the effect that pre-convective cloud cover has on the intensity of thunderstorms that subsequently develop.