Thunderstorms with Snow: A Comprehensive, Empirical Study of Their Occurrence, Development and Structure.

Abstract

A comprehensive, empirical study was undertaken to outline the characteristics of thunderstorms with snow. Occurrences are documented over a 17 year period (1971-87) and related to the development of mid-latitude cyclones. Emphasis is placed on the role of cold air motion as an integral part of the cyclone life cycle. Data indicates a cyclonic and anticyclonic tendency of the air depending on the stage of development. It also suggests the occlusion may not contain warm sector air. In order to understand the electrification process in a snowstorm the cloud physical microscale precipitation processes are analyzed. These are quantified and related back to the synoptic scale. From this, a conceptual model is created illustrating the structure of a thunderstorm with snow and is used to discuss the possible development.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1987
Accession Number
ADA185929

Entities

People

  • Harold A. Elkins

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Cellular Structures
  • Convection
  • Equations
  • Grids
  • Heat Energy
  • Heat Of Fusion
  • Inversion
  • Latent Heat
  • Latitude
  • Life Cycles
  • Meteorology
  • Microbalances
  • Precipitation
  • Thermoelectricity
  • Thunderstorms

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology
  • Theoretical Analysis.