Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

The Accumulated Winter Season Severity Index (AWSSI)

Barbara E. Mayes Boustead NOAA/National Weather Service/Weather Forecast Office Omaha/Valley, Valley, and School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska—Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska

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Steven D. Hilberg Midwestern Regional Climate Center, Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Champaign, Illinois

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Martha D. Shulski High Plains Regional Climate Center, University of Nebraska—Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska

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Kenneth G. Hubbard Applied Climate Science, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska—Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska

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Print Publication:
01 Aug 2015
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JAMC-D-14-0217.1
Page(s):
1693–1712
Restricted access

Abstract

The character of a winter can be defined by many of its features, including temperature averages and extremes, snowfall totals, snow depth, and the duration between onset and cessation of winter-weather conditions. The accumulated winter season severity index incorporates these elements into one site-specific value that defines the severity of a particular winter, especially when examined in the context of climatological values for that site. Thresholds of temperature, snowfall, and snow depth are assigned points that accumulate through the defined winter season; a parallel index uses temperature and precipitation to provide a snow proxy where snow data are unavailable or unreliable. The results can be analyzed like any other meteorological parameter to examine relationships to teleconnection patterns, determine trends, and create sector-specific applications, as well as to analyze an ongoing winter or any individual winter season to place its severity in context.

Corresponding author address: Barbara E. Mayes Boustead, 6707 N. 288th St., Valley, NE 68064. E-mail: barbara.mayes@noaa.gov

Abstract

The character of a winter can be defined by many of its features, including temperature averages and extremes, snowfall totals, snow depth, and the duration between onset and cessation of winter-weather conditions. The accumulated winter season severity index incorporates these elements into one site-specific value that defines the severity of a particular winter, especially when examined in the context of climatological values for that site. Thresholds of temperature, snowfall, and snow depth are assigned points that accumulate through the defined winter season; a parallel index uses temperature and precipitation to provide a snow proxy where snow data are unavailable or unreliable. The results can be analyzed like any other meteorological parameter to examine relationships to teleconnection patterns, determine trends, and create sector-specific applications, as well as to analyze an ongoing winter or any individual winter season to place its severity in context.

Corresponding author address: Barbara E. Mayes Boustead, 6707 N. 288th St., Valley, NE 68064. E-mail: barbara.mayes@noaa.gov
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Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology

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