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Nocturnal Propagating Thunderstorms May Favor Urban "Hot-Spots": A Model-Based Study over MinneapolisHigh-resolution WRF model sensitivity experiments are carried out (with and without urban land cover) to study urban impacts on nocturnal propagating thunderstorms over the city of Minneapolis. It is found that the storm spatial characteristics, especially the position of the storm cell, are appreciably altered by the presence of urban land cover. The most robust urban instability during stormy conditions is the enhanced surface convergence due to increased frictional drag. No urban impact is visible on the rainfall intensity simulated by the model. The frictional convergence, aided by the nocturnal Urban Heat Island (UHI), appears to be responsible for attracting propagating storms towards the urban center. Advanced modeling experiments are needed to quantify the mechanical and thermal influence along with similar studies in other cities to further investigate the urban impact on the frequency and trajectory of nocturnal propagating storms.
Document ID
20160002961
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Ganeshan, Manisha
(Universities Space Research Association Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Murtugudde, Raghu
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
March 3, 2016
Publication Date
November 14, 2015
Publication Information
Publication: Urban Climate
Publisher: Elsevier
Volume: 14
Issue: Part 4
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN30207
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG11HP16A
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
nocturnal thunderstorms
models
urban heat island

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