A Study of Severe Thunderstorm Interaction with Thermal Boundaries: Collision Angle and Stability

Abstract

It has been observed many times that thunderstorm cells which interact with thermal boundaries frequently become severe or tornadic. It has also been noted in some past studies that while some storms cross a boundary and dissipate, other storms turn at the boundary and produce severe weather as they travel along the baroclinic zone. A number of severe thunderstorm cases have been observed and analyzed to determine what makes some storms turn and others not. The angle that the storm approached the boundary was investigated, as well as various stability factors, the strength of the boundary, and the speed and intensity of the storms. It was found that there is a relationship between the angle of approach and the fate of the cell, and that the relationship can change depending on certain environmental factors. With further research, this knowledge may become useful for future operational severe weather forecasts.