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April 1, 1984Monthly Weather ReviewOpen Access

A Subsynoptic Analysis of the Denver Tornadoes of 3 June 1981

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Authors

ESEdward J. SzokeNOAA Global Systems LaboratoryMWMorris L. WeismanNSF National Center for Atmospheric ResearchJBJohn M. BrownNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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Implication

Mesoscale analysis demonstrates topographically forced convergence zones trigger tornadic supercells in eastern Colorado, highlighting the role of local terrain in severe weather initiation.

Key Points

  • Investigate the mesoscale and subsynoptic meteorological processes that triggered two strong F2 tornadoes across metropolitan Denver on 3 June 1981.
  • Analyzed surface meteorological observations recorded by the Program for Regional Observing and Forecasting Services (PROFS) surface mesonetwork in eastern Colorado.
  • Evaluated regional synoptic-scale patterns and localized surface wind convergence and cyclonic vorticity fields during the 1981 and 1982 convective seasons.
  • Identified a daylight-formed surface zone of strong convergence and cyclonic vorticity forced topographically by an elevated ridge extending east of Denver.
  • Observed the tornadic storm form through interactions among older convective cells and rapidly intensify at the southern boundary of the convergence-vorticity zone.
  • Documented that this recurring boundary zone was associated with a disproportionate number of severe weather events and tornadoes across the two-year mesonet record.

Cite This Study

Szoke et al. (1984) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a893a3565b7d5248dc10e63https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1984)112<0790:asaotd>2.0.co;2
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