1 July 2009 Severe Weather Outbreak and Flash Flooding

(Click on any image to see loop or larger image)

 

The  1 July event was a continuation of the 30 June event that fit into the latest CSTAR research on upper lows

by Matt Scolara, most resembling a CSTAR Upper low Neutral Tilt Type “A” Event

 

This event was well-anticipated, with the Storm Prediction Center putting our region in the slight risk more than a day in advance.  Operational guidance suggested that cooling aloft associated with the slow advance of a neutral tilt upper low, along with an upper impulse rotating around its periphery, would support severe weather in our region.  However, the axis of best instability was further east than the day before (30 June) since the center of the upper low was further east, and was in fact weakening.  The boundary layer and surface theta-e gradient were further east, as evidenced by the morning convection and heavy rain over eastern New England.  The morning convection in eastern and southern New England was a significant issue for NWS BOX and NWS OKX, as was evident in the AFDs below.  Still, areas of clearing in central NY and PA contributed to instability, and the western edge of the theta-e gradient was over eastern NY and western New England. 

 

Upper air data, satellite imagery and surface data confirmed the existence of these features.  Operational guidance also suggested a very diurnal nature to the convection.  The convection would move east through the afternoon, then weaken as the convection moved into New England, where prior convection stabilized the atmosphere.  Localized flash flooding was possible, even though precipitable water values were not anomalously high, but depended on whether convective lines formed and trained over locations.  There was more low level southerly jet energy tracking into the region, with potential moisture advection and convergence that could support not only severe weather but flash flooding.

 

Storm Prediction Center Upper Air Analyses

 

  

                     

                            500 hPa                                                                 300 hPa                                                  850 hPa

 

Anomalies – from 15Z 30 June SREF

 

Note the MSLP anomalies are 3-4 SD below normal, as are the 500 hPa heights.  The 850 hPa V winds were 2-3 SD above normal and the PWAT was around normal.

 

    

   

                  MSLP                                             500 hPa                                     850 hPa                                           PWAT                                 250 hPa

 

Satellite loops

 

Water Vapor – Note the upper low tracking across the region, and an upper level impulse was rotating through the region.

 

 

Visible loop – Note the cyclonic vorticity and broad band of convection

 

 

 

Data and Forecasts

 

Compare GFS and NAM CAPE forecasts.  Both the GFS and NAM showed the larger CAPE values in eastern NY, very diurnally driven.  Note the rapid increase in CAPE into the afternoon, and the rapid decrease toward and through the evening.

 

 

 

                                 GFS40 CAPE                                                              NAM12 CAPE

 

 

                  Observed LAPS CAPE

 

Radar Loops

 

KENX Loop from 1700-1900 UTC of reflectivity and Severe Thunderstorm Warning Polygons

 

 

KENX Loop from 1900-2100 UTC of reflectivity and Severe Thunderstorm Warning Polygons

 

 

KENX Loop from 2100-2200 UTC of reflectivity and Severe Thunderstorm Warning Polygons

 

 

KENX Loop from 2000-2200 UTC of reflectivity and Flash Flooding Warning Polygons

 

 

12Z 1 July Soundings

 

   

 

 

                    ALY                                                       BUF                                                WMW                                                 OKX

 

18Z 1 July Soundings

 

 

                      ALY

 

 

Storm Prediction Center Outlook

 

 

 

Storm Prediction Center Probabilistic Outlooks for tornadoes, hail and wind

 

  

 

Storm Prediction Center Mesoscale Discussions

 

  

 

 

 

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

 

 

 

 

Albany Area Forecast Discussions

 

 

 

Surrounding Area Forecast Discussions – NWS Burlington, VT, NWS Binghamton, NY, Taunton, MA and Upton, NY

 

  

 

            BTV1                                                BTV2                                                       BTV3

 

 

             BGM1

 

  

 

                      BOX1                                              BOX2                                                                 BOX3

 

 

 

                   OKX1                                    OKX2

 

Precipitation estimates vs. observed precipitation – Did the radar bias cause over estimates of precipitation?

 

 

 

Precipitable Water values were not anomalous, however, with the relatively slow moving lines of thunderstorms, training over the same areas for 1-3 hours, flash flooding was reported in Montgomery County, NY and around Bennington, VT.

 

Warnings and Severe Weather Reports

 

 

 

Another perspective of severe weather reports for individual NWS offices, courtesy of The Iowa Environmental Mesonet division of Iowa State University Department of Agronomy

 

NWS Binghamton, NY

 

 

NWS Albany, NY

 

 

 

NWS Taunton, MA

 

 

 

NWS Upton, NY

 

 

Flooding – Photos from North Colonie, NY

 

  

 

 

Any questions or suggestions, please e-mail Neil.Stuart@noaa.gov