Kansas Severe Thunderstorm Outbreak

May 7, 2002

Kansas Severe Thunderstorm Outbreak

May 7, 2002

Christopher MedjberMeteorology 503

Department of GeosciencesSFSU

Christopher MedjberMeteorology 503

Department of GeosciencesSFSU

Severe Thunderstorm Outbreak

Severe Thunderstorm Outbreak

On May 7, 2002 large supercell thunderstorms hit southern Kansas. Here we will present the analysis of the synoptic, thermodynamic, and shear environments that lead to this deadly weather activity.

On May 7, 2002 large supercell thunderstorms hit southern Kansas. Here we will present the analysis of the synoptic, thermodynamic, and shear environments that lead to this deadly weather activity.

500 mb Chart for May 7, 2002

500 mb Chart for May 7, 2002

-Upper level trough moving into the western-half of the U.S.-Winds aloft out of the SW are nearly pendicular to winds from Gulf

-Upper level trough moving into the western-half of the U.S.-Winds aloft out of the SW are nearly pendicular to winds from Gulf

Surface Analysis for May 7, 2002

Surface Analysis for May 7, 2002

-Low pressure system in SW Colorado-Warm front over the Kansas-Cold front in New Mexico-High dewpoints over southern plains -- favorable conditions

for buoyant updrafts

-Low pressure system in SW Colorado-Warm front over the Kansas-Cold front in New Mexico-High dewpoints over southern plains -- favorable conditions

for buoyant updrafts

KOUN sounding for 00ZKOUN sounding for 00Z

-Favorable for severe weather

-CAPE: 4161 J/kg-CINH: -1 J/kg-Veering winds with height (hook hodograph)-0-6 km Shear: 49 kts-0-3 km Helicity: m^2/s^2

-Favorable for severe weather

-CAPE: 4161 J/kg-CINH: -1 J/kg-Veering winds with height (hook hodograph)-0-6 km Shear: 49 kts-0-3 km Helicity: m^2/s^2

KTOP sounding for 00ZKTOP sounding for 00Z

-Not favorable for severe weather

-CAPE: 8 J/kg-CINH: -747 J/kg-Veering winds with height (hook hodograph)-0-6 km Shear: 69 kts-0-3 km Helicity: 690

m^2/s^2

-Not favorable for severe weather

-CAPE: 8 J/kg-CINH: -747 J/kg-Veering winds with height (hook hodograph)-0-6 km Shear: 69 kts-0-3 km Helicity: 690

m^2/s^2

0-3 km Storm Relative Helicity for May 7, 20020-3 km Storm Relative

Helicity for May 7, 2002

-Favorable low level shear environment

-Favorable low level shear environment

Visible Satellite ImageryVisible Satellite Imagery

-May 7, 2002 2145Z -May 7, 2002 2315Z-May 7, 2002 2145Z -May 7, 2002 2315Z

Developing Thunderstorm withOvershooting Cloud-top Anvils

Radar ImageryRadar Imagery

Splitting Supercell with the left-mover weakening and the right-mover intensifying developing a hook echo

Splitting Supercell with the left-mover weakening and the right-mover intensifying developing a hook echo

Radar for May 7, 2002 6:37 pm ET Radar for May 7, 2002 7:07 pm ET

SPC Storm Watches and Warnings for the afternoon of

May 7, 2002

SPC Storm Watches and Warnings for the afternoon of

May 7, 2002

SPC Storm Reports for May 7, 2002

SPC Storm Reports for May 7, 2002

FindingsFindings

-Found favorable synoptic, thermodynamic,

and shear environments for supercell thunderstorm activity-In that environment supercell thunderstorms did develop in southern Kansas producing large hail, high winds, and tornadoes

-Found favorable synoptic, thermodynamic,

and shear environments for supercell thunderstorm activity-In that environment supercell thunderstorms did develop in southern Kansas producing large hail, high winds, and tornadoes