Analysis of the 30 April 2000 supercell event

Abstract

This thesis is a study of an outbreak of supercell thunderstorms in northwestern Texas on 30 April 2000. Standard surface data, upper air data, and soundings were used to examine the synoptic and mesoscale conditions. Archive Level III data were examined from the Frederick, Oklahoma (KFDR), and Dyess AFB, Texas (KDYX) Doppler radar for the period 1702 UTC on 30 April to 0157 UTC on 1 May. The radar data were used to study the development and evolution of supercell thunderstorms.

The emphasis of this study was placed on the Crowell and Olney tornadic supercells. The two storms developed from different processes, the Crowell storm through cell mergers and the Olney storm in a more isolated mode. Both storms were significant hail producers, and both storms were cyclic tornado producers.

Outflow boundaries played a major role in the development and evolution of both storms. This is especially true in the case of the Olney storm. This supercell moved along the outflow boundary on which it developed.