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Kansas Severe Thunderstorm Outbreak
May 7, 2002
Kansas Severe Thunderstorm Outbreak
May 7, 2002
Christopher MedjberMeteorology 503
Department of GeosciencesSFSU
Christopher MedjberMeteorology 503
Department of GeosciencesSFSU
Severe Thunderstorm Outbreak
Severe Thunderstorm Outbreak
On May 7, 2002 large supercell thunderstorms hit southern Kansas. Here we will present the analysis of the synoptic, thermodynamic, and shear environments that lead to this deadly weather activity.
On May 7, 2002 large supercell thunderstorms hit southern Kansas. Here we will present the analysis of the synoptic, thermodynamic, and shear environments that lead to this deadly weather activity.
500 mb Chart for May 7, 2002
500 mb Chart for May 7, 2002
-Upper level trough moving into the western-half of the U.S.-Winds aloft out of the SW are nearly pendicular to winds from Gulf
-Upper level trough moving into the western-half of the U.S.-Winds aloft out of the SW are nearly pendicular to winds from Gulf
Surface Analysis for May 7, 2002
Surface Analysis for May 7, 2002
-Low pressure system in SW Colorado-Warm front over the Kansas-Cold front in New Mexico-High dewpoints over southern plains -- favorable conditions
for buoyant updrafts
-Low pressure system in SW Colorado-Warm front over the Kansas-Cold front in New Mexico-High dewpoints over southern plains -- favorable conditions
for buoyant updrafts
KOUN sounding for 00ZKOUN sounding for 00Z
-Favorable for severe weather
-CAPE: 4161 J/kg-CINH: -1 J/kg-Veering winds with height (hook hodograph)-0-6 km Shear: 49 kts-0-3 km Helicity: m^2/s^2
-Favorable for severe weather
-CAPE: 4161 J/kg-CINH: -1 J/kg-Veering winds with height (hook hodograph)-0-6 km Shear: 49 kts-0-3 km Helicity: m^2/s^2
KTOP sounding for 00ZKTOP sounding for 00Z
-Not favorable for severe weather
-CAPE: 8 J/kg-CINH: -747 J/kg-Veering winds with height (hook hodograph)-0-6 km Shear: 69 kts-0-3 km Helicity: 690
m^2/s^2
-Not favorable for severe weather
-CAPE: 8 J/kg-CINH: -747 J/kg-Veering winds with height (hook hodograph)-0-6 km Shear: 69 kts-0-3 km Helicity: 690
m^2/s^2
0-3 km Storm Relative Helicity for May 7, 20020-3 km Storm Relative
Helicity for May 7, 2002
-Favorable low level shear environment
-Favorable low level shear environment
Visible Satellite ImageryVisible Satellite Imagery
-May 7, 2002 2145Z -May 7, 2002 2315Z-May 7, 2002 2145Z -May 7, 2002 2315Z
Developing Thunderstorm withOvershooting Cloud-top Anvils
Radar ImageryRadar Imagery
Splitting Supercell with the left-mover weakening and the right-mover intensifying developing a hook echo
Splitting Supercell with the left-mover weakening and the right-mover intensifying developing a hook echo
Radar for May 7, 2002 6:37 pm ET Radar for May 7, 2002 7:07 pm ET
SPC Storm Watches and Warnings for the afternoon of
May 7, 2002
SPC Storm Watches and Warnings for the afternoon of
May 7, 2002
FindingsFindings
-Found favorable synoptic, thermodynamic,
and shear environments for supercell thunderstorm activity-In that environment supercell thunderstorms did develop in southern Kansas producing large hail, high winds, and tornadoes
-Found favorable synoptic, thermodynamic,
and shear environments for supercell thunderstorm activity-In that environment supercell thunderstorms did develop in southern Kansas producing large hail, high winds, and tornadoes