A mesonet-based analysis of severe convective winds in west Texas.

Abstract

Multiple studies have investigated the occurrence of severe convective-related winds and have increased our understanding of the forces driving severe winds and their spatial and temporal patterns. Data for these studies have come from airport stations maintained by the National Weather Service. Their standardization across the United States makes them ideal for research, but they are limited in their distribution. This study aims to create a similar climatology of severe surface level winds using a mesoscale network (“mesonet”). Like their ASOS (Automated Surface Observing System) and AWOS (Automated Weather Observing System) counterparts, these stations are standardized and well maintained. This study will contribute a radar-based classification of the convective system associated with each severe wind event and a damage report assessment of Lubbock County. Results show that although comparison to national scale studies is difficult, useful surface-level statistics can be gathered and used to create a detailed severe wind climatology.