Document Type
Report
Publication Date
3-1986
Abstract
This memorandum presents characteristics of western region convective and extratropical cyclone flash flood events as observed in (VIS and IR) GOES imagery, and conventional surface and upper air data. One hundred and thirty-seven convective heavy rainfall events from 1981 through 1983 were examined and categorized into time of year, time of day of maximum precipitation, minimum cloud top temperature at time of maximum precipitation, and type of satellite observed convective system. Detailed analyses of conventional data for the largest flash flood producing mesoscale convective systems (MCS's) yielded four distinct atmospheric patterns at the surface, 700, and 500 mb levels. Twenty-four flash flood events produced by extratropical cyclones from 1981-1983 were classified into three main types of satellite observed cloud patterns. These atmospheric composites and satellite observed cloud patterns were designed to aid operational meteorologists in recognizing and forecasting flash flood events in the western region of the United States.
Recommended Citation
United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, "Characteristics of Western Region Flash Flood Events in GOES Imagery and Conventional Data" (1986). Water. Paper 14.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/govdocs_water/14
Comments
SuDocs call # C 55.13/2:NESDIS 13