Synoptic Climatology of the Elevated Mixed Layer Inversion Over the Southern Great Plains in Spring.

摘要

A synoptic climatology is presented of the atmospheric conditions associated with the creation of the elevated mixed layer inversion, or lid, over the southern Great Plains of the U.S. (defined as Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, and portions of the surrounding states) during four spring (April, May, June) seasons from 1983 through 1986. The lid sounding, also known as a Type 1 tornado sounding, is created through the superposition of a potentially warm, nearly dry-adiabatic elevated mixed layer (EML) over a potentially unstable moist layer. This study examines the synoptic patterns associated with the creation of the EML and the moist layer, and the subsequent evolution of these component airmasses into a lid sounding. The study utilizes EML and lid statistics, analyses of the EML and moist layer, and a subjective synoptic typing system based on the geostrophic wind relationship at the surface and 500 mb.