P8.19
Low-level mesocyclogenesis in the presence of increasing low-level atmospheric stability
Kent H. Knopfmeier, CIMMS/Univ. of Oklahoma/NSSL, Norman, OK; and D. J. Stensrud
The impact of increasing low-level atmospheric stability below cloud base on low-level mesocyclogenesis is explored through numerical simulations of idealized supercell thunderstorms with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Low-level stability is increased by cooling the surface temperature of the Weisman and Klemp (1982) analytic sounding at regular intervals and prescribing a linear temperature profile from the surface to cloud base. The effects of this increased stability on the development, strength, persistence, and evolution of low-level mesocyclones and cold pools in the suite of experiments are examined. The influence of variability in low-level mesocyclogenesis on the vertical motion field is also investigated. Initial results suggest that low-level mesocyclone strength decreases with increasing stability, but the decrease is not linear.
Poster Session 8, Supercells and Tornadoes Posters II
Wednesday, 13 October 2010, 3:15 PM-5:00 PM, Grand Mesa Ballroom ABC
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