Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

6637

Date

2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Earth Sciences

Concentration

Interdisciplinary Studies

Committee Chair

Dorian Burnette

Committee Member

Arleen Hill

Committee Member

Mike Brown

Abstract

Tornado detection has improved in recent years due, in part, to the deployment of dual-polarization radar technology. Depsite these improvements, false alarm rates (FAR) for tornado warnings remain high over Memphis, TN County Warning Area. The purpose of this research was to use a suite of radar products and storm environmental parameters in an effort to decrease tornado warning FAR over the Mid-South. The Memphis National Weather Service Forecast Office County Warning Area (CWA) serves as the study area for this reseach. Previous research has shown that storm mode and environment can imact FAR. Therefore, by combining radar products and storm environment, tornadic and non-tornadic events could be distinguished and the FAR could be reduced. Results suggest that some combination of rotational velocity and a modifed energy-helicity index that places more emphasis on shear and is sensitive to low convectively available potential energy (CAPE) values might aid in reducing tornado warning FAR.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

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