A Climatology of Atmospheric Patterns Associated with Red River Valley Blizzards

Kennedy, Aaron; Trellinger, Alexander; Grafenauer, Thomas J.; Gust, Gregory

doi:10.3390/cli7050066

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 54 publications

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“…These cyclones have a dominant role in influencing atmospheric processes on various spatial and temporal scales. For example, prior research has linked cyclones with severe tornado outbreaks [2,3], global poleward heat transport [4,5], regional seasonal precipitation distribution [6], and blizzard conditions [7]. Though cyclones can form in any region of enhanced baroclinicity, the complex topography of North America (elevated landmasses adjacent to major ocean currents, etc.)…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structure and Evolution of Non-Lake-Effect Snow Producing Alberta Clippers

Wiley

Mercer

2021

Atmosphere

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Alberta Clippers (clippers) have long been associated with lake-effect snow (LES) events due to their frequent passage over the Great Lakes basin. However, not all clippers produce LES, and no research has inquired into which synoptic fields most influence LES formation. This study analyzes clippers during non-LES situations to further knowledge on which atmospheric variables most regulate LES development on the synoptic scale. As no such database currently exists, a clipper repository is developed using National Centers for Environmental Prediction Reanalysis data. The repository is then cross referenced with a previously developed LES repository to identify clippers responsible for LES. Composite synoptic-scale patterns were then constructed on the remaining non-LES clippers to identify synoptic conditions that ultimately inhibited LES formation. This analysis is supplemented by an assessment of lake surface conditions in each composite to evaluate how influential the lake characteristics were in the suppression of LES activity. In total, 51 non-LES clippers were identified, tracked, and separated into three composite map types that exhibited unique storm track and spatial characteristics. Permutation testing revealed that lake surface conditions were not significantly (p ≤ 0.05) different between LES and non-LES associated clippers implying the main LES inhibition factors were meteorological.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structure and Evolution of Non-Lake-Effect Snow Producing Alberta Clippers

Wiley

Mercer

2021

Atmosphere

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Bringing Microphysics to the Masses: The Blowing Snow Observations at the University of North Dakota: Education through Research (BLOWN-UNDER) Campaign

Kennedy

Scott

Loeb

et al. 2022

Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society

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Harsh winters and hazards such as blizzards are synonymous with the northern Great Plains of the United States. Studying these events is difficult; the juxtaposition of cold temperatures and high winds makes microphysical observations of both blowing and falling snow challenging. Historically, these observations have been provided by costly hydrometeor imagers that have been deployed for field campaigns or at select observation sites. This has slowed the development and validation of microphysics parameterizations and remote-sensing retrievals of various properties. If cheaper, more mobile instrumentation can be developed, this progress can be accelerated. Further, lowering price barriers can make deployment of instrumentation feasible for education and outreach purposes.The Blowing Snow Observations at the University of North Dakota: Education through Research (BLOWN-UNDER) Campaign took place during the winter of 2019-2020 to investigate strategies for obtaining microphysical measurements in the harsh North Dakota winter. Student led, the project blended education, outreach, and scientific objectives. While a variety of in-situ and remote-sensing instruments were deployed for the campaign, the most novel aspect of the project was the development and deployment of OSCRE, the Open Snowflake Camera for Research and Education. Images from this instrument were combined with winter weather educational modules to describe properties of snow to the public, K-12 students, and members of indigenous communities through a tribal outreach program. Along with an educational deployment of a Doppler on Wheels mobile radar, nearly 1000 individuals were reached during the project.

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Variability in Isolated Convective Activity between Louisville, Kentucky, and Nearby Rural Locations

Naylor

Kennedy

2021

Earth Interactions

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This study analyzes the frequency of strong, isolated convective cells in the vicinity of Louisville, Kentucky. Data from the Severe Weather Data Inventory are used to compare the frequency of convective activity over Louisville with the observed frequency at nearby rural locations from 2003 to 2019. The results show that Louisville experiences significantly more isolated convective activity than do the rural locations. The difference in convective activity between Louisville and the rural locations is strongest during summer, with peak differences occurring between May and August. Relative to the rural locations, Louisville experiences more isolated convective activity in the afternoon and early evening but less activity after midnight and into the early morning. Isolated convective events over Louisville are most likely during quiescent synoptic conditions, whereas rural events are more likely during active synoptic patterns. To determine whether these differences can be attributed primarily to urban effects, two additional cities are shown for comparison—Nashville, Tennessee, and Cincinnati, Ohio. Both Nashville and Cincinnati experience more isolated convective activity than all five of their nearby rural comparison areas, but the results for both are statistically significant at four of the five rural locations. In addition, the analysis of Cincinnati includes a sixth comparison site that overlaps the urbanized area of Columbus, Ohio. For that location, differences in convective activity are not statistically significant.

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A Climatology of Atmospheric Patterns Associated with Red River Valley Blizzards

Cited by 5 publications

References 54 publications

Structure and Evolution of Non-Lake-Effect Snow Producing Alberta Clippers

Structure and Evolution of Non-Lake-Effect Snow Producing Alberta Clippers

Bringing Microphysics to the Masses: The Blowing Snow Observations at the University of North Dakota: Education through Research (BLOWN-UNDER) Campaign

Variability in Isolated Convective Activity between Louisville, Kentucky, and Nearby Rural Locations

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