Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

The Role Of Boundary-Parallel Vertical Wind Shear In Convection Initiation, Alexander J. Krull

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Convection initiation (CI) remains a forecasting challenge for meteorologists. CI frequently occurs within the vicinity of some airmass boundary or density current. Airmass boundaries are favored areas of convergence, thus associated forced ascent facilitates CI. Features such as misocyclones often develop along the leading edge of airmass boundaries, favoring updraft formation and prompting alterations to the horizontal and vertical flow near the boundary. Airmass boundary characteristics and CI potential have been found to be sensitive to the environmental vertical wind shear. This affects propagation speed, convergence, and thus forced ascent along the leading edge. Previous studies have focused primarily on …