Wind Shear as a Predictor of Severe Weather for the Eastern United States

摘要

Various numerical and observational studies have indicated that wind shear may be useful in explaining and possibly forecasting the type of convective storms that develop under unstable atmospheric conditions. Most of the observational data supporting the results of the numerical experiments are taken from the Great Plains region of the United States, an area well known for strong thunderstorm activity. In the study the authors seek to identify relationships between various measures of wind shear and stability and the occurrence of severe weather in the eastern United States. The authors show that some good relationships do exist, that may be useful in assessing afternoon severe weather potential.