Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Commons^™

Creation Of A Spatial Decision Support System As A Risk Assessment Tool Based On Kentucky Tornado Climatology, Christopher Michael Blinn

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Tornadoes are one of Mother Nature’s deadliest phenomena. They affect a large region of the United States. The risk of tornadoes is contingent on dynamic atmospheric conditions that are most likely during spring but which can occur anytime of the year, making the storms challenging to forecast. Using geographical information systems (GIS), a web-based spatial decision support system (SDSS) was created to help understand the spatial dimension of tornado risk assessment. The risk values are calculated using Tornado Days rather than taking a crude density measurement. The SDSS hosts GIS web services that are displayed on an Adobe Flex application. …

The Evaluation Of Water Quality And Weather Patterns As Indicators For Escherichia Coli In Slaters Creek Watershed In Millersville, Tennessee, Jacqueline Brown

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Water quality sampling was conducted in conjunction with the city of Millersville, Tennessee in order to assess levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in Slaters Creek. The city of Millersville is under a storm water National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit that requires compliance monitoring. In the past, monitoring of E. coli has resulted in noncompliance with state water quality regulations. A water quality assessment, including E. coli and water quality parameters, was conducted to determine if E. coli levels varied between dates within the study area. Statistical methods were utilized to determine if variations existed between the sampling …

Large, Long-Lived Convective Systems Over Subtropical South America And Their Relationships With Atmospheric Teleconnections, Kyle Mattingly

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This study provides a climatological assessment of persistent elongated convective systems (PECS) over subtropical South America during the austral warm seasons of 1998-2007 and a comparison of PECS frequency and physical characteristics to mesoscale convective complexes (MCCs) in the region. Relationships between the Antarctic Oscillation (AAO) and El Niño – Southern Oscillation (ENSO) teleconnections and large, long-lived convective systems (LLCSs) are explored. An average of 143 PECS and 37 MCCs occurred per warm season. PECS lasted longer on average than MCCs (17 hrs. vs. 14 hrs.) and reached a greater average maximum cloud-shield extent than MCCs (297,300 km2 vs. 256,500 …

Long-Term Changes To The Frost-Free Season As A Function Of Climatic Continentality, Ian Blaylock

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The beginning, end, and length of the annual frost-free season vary considerably both spatially and temporally. The continentality of the climate of a given area has a close connection with the magnitude and nature of these variations. Long term changes in the frost-free season can be divided into three distinct phases: a lengthening of the frost-free season in the early 20^th century, a shortening in the mid-20^th century, and a renewed, intensified lengthening from 1970 to today. While oceanic and ultraoceanic climates experience decreased incidence of frosts relative to their continental counterparts, analysis has shown that overall 20 …

Hayes, Geraldine Alice (Page), 1928-2006 (Sc 369), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scan (Click on "additional files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 369. Letter, 24 September 1992, written by Geraldine Hayes, Homestead, Florida, to her sister-in-law Mildred Gipson, Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, describing the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew. Includes a recipe for “Andrew Stew,” and a letter, 1993, identifying the persons named in the earlier letter.

Ua94/6/10 Student / Alumni Personal Papers Wku Carl Ellis, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Scientific notebooks used by Carl Ellis during his years at WKU.

A Climatology Of High-Wind Events Associated With Post-Tropical Cyclones In The United States, Joshua M. Gilliland

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

During 1951-2009, 47% of all tropical systems (TSs) within the Atlantic Basin transitioned to post-tropical (PTC) extratropical classification. These systems have shown the capability of producing hurricane-force winds and gusts for portions of the eastern United States. This study provides a climatological foundation for high-wind observations that were contributed from PTCs. In this study, 76 PTC systems were identified and tracked using six hourly observations from the National Hurricane Center’s HURDAT dataset. Mean wind radii buffers were calculated and used to determine the high-wind observations attributed by PTCs. High-wind climatology was developed by using hourly surface wind data from the …

From Sustainability To Resilience: How Best To Communicate Great Challenges?, Wolfgang Brauner

Education for Sustainability Summer Institute

No abstract provided.

Generalized Bathtub Hazard Models For Binary-Transformed Climate Data, James Polcer

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In this study, we use a hazard-based modeling as an alternative statistical framework to time series methods as applied to climate data. Data collected from the Kentucky Mesonet will be used to study the distributional properties of the duration of high and low-energy wind events relative to an arbitrary threshold. Our objectiveswere to fit bathtub models proposed in literature, propose a generalized bathtub model, apply these models to Kentucky Mesonet data, and make recommendations as to feasibility of wind power generation. Using two different thresholds (1.8 and 10 mph respectively), results show that the Hjorth bathtub model consistently performed better …

Ua668/4 Ogden College Of Science & Engineering Geography & Geology Administration, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Records created by and about the administration of the Geography & Geology department.

Algal Biomass Accrual In Relation To Nutrient Availability Along A Longitudinal Gradient In The Upper Green River, Kentucky, Mary Douglas Penick

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Nutrient limitation in aquatic ecosystems results from a deficiency in nitrogen or phosphorus levels relative to cellular growth needs. Nutrient limitation of freshwater systems is a function of biotic and abiotic factors. Biotic factors include vascular and nonvascular plant community composition. Abiotic factors include underlying bedrock and land-use activities (e.g. agriculture, septic systems). Nutrient availability directly affects growth, productivity, and community structure of primary producers. The purpose of this study was two-fold: (1) to assess the relationship between ambient algal biomass. and in-stream nutrient levels along the longitudinal course of a river through a transition from weak to well-developed underlying …

Kesler, Jonathan G. (Fa 201), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text scan of paper (Click on “Additional Files” below) for Folklife Archives Project 201. Paper: "Day of Disaster: Brandenburg, Kentucky, and the Tornado of April 3, 1974," written by Western Kentucky University folk studies student Jonathan G. Kesler, about the tornado that wreaked death and destruction on Bradenburg, Meade County, Kentucky, on 3 April 1974.

Stable Isotopic And Geochemical Variability Within Shallow Groundwater Beneath A Hardwood Hammock And Surface Water In An Adjoining Slough (Everglades National Park, Fl), Lee J. Florea, Dorien K. Mcgee, Jonathan G. Wynn

Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences Faculty Publications

Data from a ten-month monitoring study during 2007 in south Florida provide insight into the variation of δ18O, δD, and δ13C of DOC in surface water and shallow groundwater of the Everglades ecosystem. Bi-monthly samples were taken from surface water and time-averaged precipitation at Taylor Slough, and shallow groundwater from a well and a small cave within Palma Vista Hammock, an exposure of the Upper Pleistocene Miami Limestone.

δ18O and δD values in shallow groundwater from the well and cave remain near the mean of -2.4 ‰ and -12 ‰, respectively (VSMOW scale). 18O and D are enriched in surface …

Analysis Of Fresh Water Resources At The Line Hole Well Field, San Salvador Island, The Bahamas, Scot Allan Russell Jr.

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A major economic constraint in the Bahamas, and other small carbonates islands world-wide, is the lack of fresh water resources. To combat these socio-economic problems on San Salvador Island I sought to gain a more detailed understanding of the extent, behavior, and controls on the island’s fresh-water lens. DC electrical resistivity tomography and time-series geochemical data are used to study the fresh water lens at the Line Hole well field. Electrical Resistivity profiles are used to image the extent of fresh water resources. Time-series geochemical data provide information on the behavior of the fresh water resources as a function of …

Information Technology Implementation Decisions To Support The Kentucky Mesonet, D. Michael Grogan

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The Kentucky Mesonet is a high-density, mesoscale network of automated meteorological and climatological sensing platforms being developed across the commonwealth. Data communications, collection, processing, and delivery mechanisms play a critical role in such networks, and the World Meteorological Organization recognizes that “an observing system is not complete unless it is connected to other systems that deliver the data to the users.” This document reviews the implementation steps, decisions, and rationale surrounding communications and computing infrastructure development to support the Mesonet. A general overview of the network and technology-related research is provided followed by a review of pertinent literature related to …

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 85, No. 28, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news. Articles:

• Wilson, Laurel. Bill to Help Transfer Credits – Legislation
• Jenkins, Spencer. Bowling Green Blanketed – Winter, Weather, Snow
• Jenkins, Spencer. WKU Police to Train New Officers – Brandon Bryan
• Wilson, Laurel. Tate Page Hall’s Future Likely But Uncertain
• Harrison, Blake. Men’s Relay Peaks at Kentucky – Track & Field
• Lintner, Jonathan. Willie Taggart’s Next Task: Coaching – Football
• Lintner, Jonathan. Changing of the Guards – Jamal Crook, Caden Dickerson, Basketball
• Greenwell, Zach. Amy McNear Ready to Make the Big Play – Basketball
• Brown, Jeremy. Toppers Make Most of …

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 84, No. 30 [29], Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news. Articles:

• Hale, Marianne. University Endowments Shrink During Economic Hard Times
• Hale, Marianne. In Their Own Hands – Kelly Autism Program
• Hale, Marianne. Enrollment Numbers Prompt Board of Regents to Give $6.1 Million to Academic Affairs
• Barczak, Mary. Despite Rally Cancellation, Student Government Association Lobbies Legislators
• Fox, Emily. A Thousand Words – Lori Spalding, Clothes Lion
• Ulber, Emily. Winter Crime Spree Calls for Caution – Robberies
• Erskine, Anne. Editorial Cartoon re: Winter Weather – Cherry Statue
• Pulling the Plug: Western Officials Should Commit to Shutdowns – Winter Weather
• Dooper, Jennifer. …

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 84, No. 28, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news. Articles:

• Howerton, Christina. Power Outages Bring Visitors to Bowling Green – Weather, Winter
• Threlkeld, Kohl. Caring in the Cold – William Rummage, Weather
• Burch, Aaron. Bread & Bagel Changes Ownership – Restaurants
• Barczak, Mary. Student Government Association Changes Power – Kayla Shelton, Johnathon Boles
• McCrarey, Magen. Gatton Academy of Math & Science Student Honored – Dalton Hubble
• Erskine, Anne. Editorial Cartoon re: Winter Weather
• Under the Weather: Officials Should Consider Inclement Weather a Threat – Winter, Weather
• Comley, Justin. Western Should Take Preventive Measures – Winter Weather
• White, Lauren. …

Geology And Hydrology Of Karst In West-Central And North-Central Florida, Lee J. Florea

Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences Faculty Publications

The state of Florida is blessed with the highest density of large springs in North America and hundreds of smaller springs where the water from limestone aquifers returns to the surface (Scott et al., 2004). Spectacular underwater caves supply water to these springs. Lesser known are the equally fantastic air-filled caves of Florida and South Georgia (Florea, 2006; Lane, 1986). This paper features these underwater and airfilled caves, explores the impact of changes in sea level on karst in this near-coastal environment, and establishes several geologic and hydrologic characteristics that distinguish karst in the limestones of the southeast from karst …

Hurricane Katrina, 2005 (Sc 1669), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 1669. E-mails related to the personal and governmental response to Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana.

Mcdaniel, Sue Lynn (Stone), B. 1959 (Sc 1651), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 1651. E-mails sent from Sue Lynn McDaniel to various correspondents related to a Caribbean cruise impacted by Hurricane Wilma in October 2005. McDaniel was aboard the cruise ship "Enchantment of the Seas" with friend Pamela Jean Elrod.

Eggleton, Freida K. (Sc 1642), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 1642. Compilation of 20 e-mail responses by Western Kentucky University (WKU) faculty and staff, solicited by Registrar Freida Eggleton, regarding the 10-year anniversary of the 16 April 1998 hailstorm that damaged structures in Bowling Green and on WKU's campus.

Visualization Of Groundwater Flow Within Touching-Vu And Matrix Porosity In An Eogenetic Karst Aquifer, Lee J. Florea, Kevin J. Cunningham, Stephen Altobelli

Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences Faculty Publications

In this study, we use an innovative, non-invasive technology, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI), to visualize the direction and magnitude of groundwater flow in field samples of late Pleistocene limestone of the Biscayne aquifer. Specific goals of the first set of NMRI experiments are to map the advective velocity of water flowing at two rates of specific discharge (0.00025 and 0.00013 m/s) through a 10-cm-diameter cylindrical, epoxy-resin model. The model interior accurately reproduces a well-connected maze of ichnologically influenced, centimeter-scale, touching-vug macroporosity common within preferred flow zones in parts of the Biscayne aquifer. A second set of NMRI experiments investigates …

Biogenic Porosity And Its Lattice Boltzmann Method Permeability In The Karst Biscayne Aquifer, Kevin Cunningham, Mike Sukop, Haibo Huang, Pedro Alvarez, Allen Curran, Michael Waker, Lee J. Florea, Robert Renken, Joann F. Dixon

Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Focus Group On Karst Hydrology - Conceptual Models, Aquifer Characterization, And Numerical Modeling, Martin Sauter, Lee J. Florea, Others

Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 83, No. 3, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news.

Stout, Alice Virginia, 1908-1983 (Sc 1495), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scans (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 1495. Journal kept by Stout describing the 1937 Ohio River flood in Louisville, Kentucky. Also includes some telegrams sent to her family in Bowling Green, Kentucky during the same period; photographs of the flood; and clippings about the family and the Cortlandt Hotel, where Stout resided during the flood.

International, Cooperative Research In The Apuseni Mountains Of Western Romania, Lee J. Florea, Bogdan P. Onac

Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences Faculty Publications

In May of 2006, nine American scientists and cavers from the Karst Research Group at the University of South Florida traveled to western Romania to attend and present at an international conference on records of climate change in caves in the historic Roman town of Baile Hurculane. The conference, co-sponsored by the “Emil Racoviţă” Speleological Institute of Romania and the Karst Waters Institute, drew more than 100 experts in the field of climate change and karst, and was a wonderful time spent alongside the thermal springs and Austro-Hungarian bathhouses nestled within the massive limestone canyon of the Cerna River.

Following …

Morphologic Features Of Conduits And Aquifer Response In The Unconfined Floridan Aquifer System, West Central Florida, Lee J. Florea, H L. Vacher

Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences Faculty Publications

Conduits within the unconfined Floridan Aquifer of west-central Florida include both horizontal and vertical components. In this paper, we investigate each and propose theories based upon cave survey data and a collection of over 300 Florida cave maps. First, we find that vertical portions of conduits visually correlate to fractures, and these fractures tend to be the dominant control of conduit directionality. Length-weighted rose diagrams of passage directions reveal a NW-SE and NE-SW pattern of conduit directions statistically similar to results found in remote sensing studies of photolinears. Secondly we note that horizontal elements of conduits occur at consistent horizons …

Cave Levels, Marine Terraces, Paleoshorelines, And The Water Table In Peninsular Florida, Lee J. Florea, H L. Vacher

Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences Faculty Publications

Levels of passages are a common feature of many cave systems around the world. Likewise, coastal and marine terraces are common in coastal plain settings. This paper extends the discussion of cave levels from traditional research sites in the interior lowlands of the United States to the Atlantic Coastal Plains, namely peninsular Florida. Are there levels in Florida caves, and is there a link between the elevation of cave levels, marine terraces, paleoshorelines, and thus the water table, above and below present sea level in peninsular Florida?