Identification of Differences in Composite Vertical Profiles Between November Lake-Effect and System Snow Events in Northwest Indiana

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Kevin Goebbert

College

Arts and Sciences

Discipline(s)

Meteorology

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Symposium Date

Spring 5-3-2018

Abstract

This research investigates the differences between vertical profiles of atmospheric variables for November system and lake-effect snow events that occurred in Northwest Indiana. Over 900 12-UTC soundings from 1957-2012 were collected using the Green Bay sounding station (KGRB; 72645) and categorized into system or lake-effect events. The data were interpolated to every millibar and composited by category to facilitate the discovery of potential differences between them. Properties examined include wind speed and direction throughout the troposphere, inversion height, moisture profile, lifting condensation level, as well as temperature. Overall, the two composite profiles demonstrate noticeable differences in the height of low-level temperature inversions, dewpoint depression profiles up to 300 hPa, and wind direction below 850 hPa. These differences illustrate the distinct atmospheric conditions favorable to Northwest Indiana lake-effect snow compared to system snow events.

Biographical Information about Author(s)

Evan Cade is from New Palestine, Indiana, Timothy DeRolf is from Munster, Indiana, and Samantha Schletz is from New Lenox, Illinois. All three are freshman majoring in meteorology at Valparaiso University in Indiana, and Timothy also is majoring in mathematics. They have all shown an interest in meteorology since a young age because of the diverse weather conditions they have experienced living in the Midwest. While they all eventually want to research different fields in meteorology, lake-effect snow is an event that they all have personal experience in. They hope to use the skills learned in undergraduate research in future careers.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS