What question did this study set out to answer?

To identify and characterize the mesoscale atmospheric conditions and microphysical processes that generated the catastrophic 1976 Big Thompson Canyon flash flood.

January 1, 1979Monthly Weather ReviewOpen Access

Mesoanalysis of the Big Thompson Storm

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Authors

FCF. CaracenaNOAA Earth System Research Laboratory RMRobert A. MaddoxUniversity of Arizona LHLee R. HoxitUnited States Geological Survey

Discussion

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Implication

Mesoscale analysis uncovers stationary orographic convective mechanisms driving extreme precipitation, highlighting vulnerabilities in remote radar flood detection.

Key Points

To identify and characterize the mesoscale atmospheric conditions and microphysical processes that generated the catastrophic 1976 Big Thompson Canyon flash flood.
Analyzed surface observations, low-level wind vectors, and moisture flux dynamics behind a polar frontal boundary.
Evaluated cloud physical properties, vertical wind profiles, updraft tilt, and reflectivity data recorded by a distant WSR-57 radar.
Strong easterly upslope winds channeled high moisture flux into foothills, releasing convective instability while light mid-level steering winds held the storm stationary across a 5-km-wide corridor.
High precipitation efficiency developed from low cloud bases, minimal dry air entrainment, and warm-cloud coalescence processes.
Precipitation particles remained concentrated at low altitudes, resulting in anomalously weak radar returns on remote monitoring systems due to limited beam resolution.

Cite This Study

Caracena et al. (1979) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a6da12778a11c550e080f2f https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1979)107<0001:motbts>2.0.co;2

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January 1, 1979Monthly Weather ReviewOpen Access

Mesoanalysis of the Big Thompson Storm

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

FCF. CaracenaNOAA Earth System Research Laboratory RMRobert A. MaddoxUniversity of Arizona LHLee R. HoxitUnited States Geological Survey

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Mesoscale analysis uncovers stationary orographic convective mechanisms driving extreme precipitation, highlighting vulnerabilities in remote radar flood detection.

Key Points

To identify and characterize the mesoscale atmospheric conditions and microphysical processes that generated the catastrophic 1976 Big Thompson Canyon flash flood.
Analyzed surface observations, low-level wind vectors, and moisture flux dynamics behind a polar frontal boundary.
Evaluated cloud physical properties, vertical wind profiles, updraft tilt, and reflectivity data recorded by a distant WSR-57 radar.
Strong easterly upslope winds channeled high moisture flux into foothills, releasing convective instability while light mid-level steering winds held the storm stationary across a 5-km-wide corridor.
High precipitation efficiency developed from low cloud bases, minimal dry air entrainment, and warm-cloud coalescence processes.
Precipitation particles remained concentrated at low altitudes, resulting in anomalously weak radar returns on remote monitoring systems due to limited beam resolution.

Cite This Study

Caracena et al. (1979) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a6da12778a11c550e080f2f https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1979)107<0001:motbts>2.0.co;2

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