Comparative Dynamic and Thermodynamic Characteristics of Nontornadic New England Thunderstorm Environments

This study acts to further the research performed on New England tornado days by previous NOAA Hollings Scholars at the National Weather Service office in Gray, Maine. This project examines 61 nontornadic severe weather days in New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island) between 1994 and 2009 on which at least 12 severe reports occurred. These severe days were classified by their 700 mb flow directions (W, SW, and NW). Various dynamic and thermodynamic parameters were examined to compare their values between nontornadic and tornadic severe events (examined in a previous study). These parameters were calculated from archived RUC forecast soundings and modified rawinsonde observations from relatively proximate sites. Certain parameters such as LCL height, 0-1 km SRH, and 0-3 km SRH were found to be statistically distinguishable between nontornadic and tornadic events; other parameters, such as 0-1 km EHI and 0-3 km EHI, were not found to be significantly different between nontornadic and tornadic New England severe days.