Abstract
The characteristics and climatology of funnel clouds in Alaska were examined using operational radiosondes, surface meteorological observations, and reanalysis data. Funnel clouds occurred under weak synoptic forcing between May and September between 11 am and 6 pm Alaska Daylight Time with a maximum occurrence in July. They occurred under Convective Available Potential Energy >500 J·kg-1 and strong low-level wind shear. Characteristic atmospheric profiles during funnel cloud events served to develop a retrieval algorithm based on similarity testing. Out of more than 129,000 soundings between 1971 and 2014, 2724, 442, and 744 profiles were similar to the profiles of observed funnel cloud events in the Interior, Alaska West Coast, and Anchorage regions. While the number of reported funnel clouds has increased since 2000, the frequency of synoptic situations favorable for such events has decreased.
Highlights
Over the last decade, Alaska funnel clouds received increasing attention from the media and public because of the increase of funnel cloud reports and interest in climate change [1]
Since the observed funnel clouds were unlinked to severe thunderstorms, and occurred during weak synoptic conditions, we hypothesize that mesoscale dynamics might cause enough shear instability to generate vorticity for funnel cloud formation
Surface meteorological, radiosonde, reanalysis and radar data were analyzed to determine the climatology, characteristics, and forming mechanism of funnel clouds observed in the Interior, Alaska West Coast and Anchorage area
Summary
Alaska funnel clouds received increasing attention from the media and public because of the increase of funnel cloud reports and interest in climate change [1]. Most reports come from the public in populated areas, weather forecasters or trained spotters, and passengers and pilots within flight corridors. Using small aircrafts to reach one of the three major cities (Anchorage, population 300,950, Fairbanks 32,324, Juneau 32,660) for shopping, medical care, or visiting is as common to Alaskans like using subways, trams, taxis, and busses for metropolitan residents elsewhere in the United States. These aircrafts, which fly below 3 km above ground level, deliver general supply, mail service, and medical transport to/from remote settlements [1]
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