Estimates of Air and Moisture Flux into Hailstorms on the High Plains

August H. Auer Jr. University of Wyoming, Laramie

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John D. Marwitz Colorado State University, Fort Collins

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Abstract

Based on airborne observations, estimates of air and moisture flux have been calculated for 18 hailstorms: eight in Colorado, one in Oklahoma, and nine in South Dakota. The average air flux for hailstorms in this study was 2.3 × 1011 gm sec−1, while the moisture flux averaged near 2.1 × 109 gm sec−1.

Precipitation efficiency for eight thunderstorms was found to be near 55%, though two severe hailstorms did exhibit slightly less efficiency.

Abstract

Based on airborne observations, estimates of air and moisture flux have been calculated for 18 hailstorms: eight in Colorado, one in Oklahoma, and nine in South Dakota. The average air flux for hailstorms in this study was 2.3 × 1011 gm sec−1, while the moisture flux averaged near 2.1 × 109 gm sec−1.

Precipitation efficiency for eight thunderstorms was found to be near 55%, though two severe hailstorms did exhibit slightly less efficiency.

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