A climatology of heatbursts as detected by the Oklahoma Mesonet

Heatbursts result from decaying, nocturnal thunderstorms and are characterized by a sudden, localized increase in air temperature, a simultaneous decrease in dew point, and strong, gusty winds. Prior to the existence of the Oklahoma Mesonet, a permanent network of 120 surface observing stations, relatively few heatbursts had been documented. The high spatial and temporal resolutions of the Mesonet data have provided evidence of more than 100 of these events. Severe winds from a 1996 heatburst in southwestern and central Oklahoma resulted in $18 million in damage.

The presentation will overview Oklahoma heatbursts since 1994 – their characteristics and climatology.