A Fine-Scale Study of the 16 June 2009

Thunderstorm Event at Deseret

Ranch Max Goldfarb and Shannon

Ogle Florida Institute of Technology

Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences

Compare model radar reflectivity patterns to observed radar images for Melbourne as well as model surface temperature

Analyze fine scale Temperature and Relative Humidity Data for June 16, 2009 at Deseret Ranch

Evaluate model forecasts and radar reflectivity to sensor data

Investigate possible heat burst activity and compare with past studies

Objectives:

Atmospheric phenomena occur on many different spatial scales: from 1000 kilometers to 100 meters.

Introduction

Water Vapor Satellite Image

CAPE

North American Mesoscale Surface Temperature Model

%oF

ᵒF%

Within the downdraft of a storm, circulations on different scales occur as well.

Heat Burst Formation:

• Past Studies (Johnson, 1976):

* Temperature increase of 2.6oC*Soundings indicated warming and drying below 3 km (~700mb) *Occurred during dissipating stage of thunderstorm and in the evening

• Effects of Heat Bursts:

*Sudden increase of temperature with a thunderstorm*Associated with strong damaging winds*Sometimes falsely attributed to tornado damage*Possible danger to crops

2D Model of a Downdraft

Fine scale temperature network captured activity not resolvable by a mesoscale model

Because of the sparse distribution of data, heat bursts may occur more often in central Florida.

HOBO sensors can fill in the gaps in observing networks and capture important phenomena

Conclusion:

AcknowledgementsSpecial Thanks to:

Dr. Chiao Dr. Johnson Dr. Lazarus Mr. SplittFlorida Tech DMES Students

Johnson, B. “The Heat Burst of 29 May 1979”. Journal of Atmospheric Sciences. May 20, 1983

Michaelsen, Joel. Geology 110: Imtroductory Meteoorlogy lecture notes, Winter 2008. http://www.geog.ucsb.edu/~joel/g110_w08/lecture_notes/ Checked 7/20/2009.

References:

Questions?

Next:Erin Binder and Clemens Grohs