Environments of Northeast U.S. Severe Thunderstorm Events from 1999 to 2009

Abstract

Abstract An investigation of the environments and climatology of severe thunderstorms from 1999 through 2009 across the northeastern United States is presented. A total of 742 severe weather events producing over 12 000 reports were examined. Given the challenges that severe weather forecasting can present in the Northeast, this study is an effort to distinguish between the more prolific severe-weather-producing events and those that produce only isolated severe weather. The meteorological summer months (June–August) are found to coincide with the peak severe season. During this time, 850–500- and 700–500-hPa lapse rates, mixed layer convective inhibition (MLCIN), and downdraft convective available potential energy (DCAPE) are found to be statistically significant in discriminating events with a large number of reports from those producing fewer reports, based on observed soundings. Composite synoptic pattern analyses are also presented to spatially characterize the distribution of key meteorological variables associated with severe weather events of differing magnitudes. The presence of a midlevel trough and particular characteristics of its tilt, along with an accompanying zone of enhanced flow, are found in association with the higher-report severe weather events, along with cooler midlevel temperatures overlaying warmer low-level temperatures (i.e., contributing to the steeper lapse rates). During the meteorological fall and winter months (September–February), large-scale ascent is often bolstered by the presence of a coupled upper-level jet structure.