Meteorologist Jim Woodmencey |
(Note: The content in this post first appeared in the MountainWeather column in the Jackson Hole News & Guide on July 6th, 2016).
July begins the heart of the “Thunderstorm Season” in the Rockies. It is also the peak of the tourist season, climbing, backpacking, & baseball seasons, etc. etc. . That means more
people will be outdoors enjoying the weather, and potentially getting caught in
thunderstorms.
In this post I will describe how thunderstorms work,
and what to watch for when you are outside during the day. Those telltale
signs that dangerous thunderstorms may be developing. I will
follow this post with a subsequent one on lightning safety.
Moist and
Unstable Air
Most of us would
probably describe a “typical summer day” as: Clear blue skies in the morning, followed
by some puffy cumulus clouds in the afternoon, and maybe a chance of some
afternoon thunderstorms.
How big or
ominous those cumulus clouds become will depend on two things:
1) How much moisture is in the air. 2) How unstable the air is.
1) How much moisture is in the air. 2) How unstable the air is.
That clear
blue sky that you see in the morning actually contains some moisture, in the
form of invisible water vapor. As the day goes on, and the ground heats up, the
air begins to rise. As the warmer air rises higher into the atmosphere it
encounters colder temperatures, and the invisible water vapor condenses into visible
water droplets.
If the air
keeps rising, cooling, and condensing, then water droplets start to gather
together, and clouds appear.
Relative
humidity (RH) is one way to measure how moist the atmosphere is. For
thunderstorm development, it can still be very dry in the lower levels of the
atmosphere, with low RH. But at the same time, high RH may exist in the upper
levels of the atmosphere, which is enough to perk up thunderstorms once there
is enough instability.
How
unstable the atmosphere is will depend on the difference in temperature between
the ground and the upper levels, like up around 20 to 25,000-feet. The bigger
the difference in temperature, the more unstable the air is, that is, it must
be warmer down low and colder up high to be unstable. Think, “hot air rises”,
that’s instability.
If the air
isn’t rising, or if temperatures aren’t very cold aloft, or the atmosphere is
staying bone dry up through 25,000-feet, then all we see is clear blue skies,
all day.
Be Observant
There are a
few things to keep an eye on to determine if those little white puffy clouds
are going to develop into full-blown thunderstorms on any given day. Watch the
sky for these signs of impending thunderstorms:
1) The first puffs of cumulus appear before noontime.
2) The individual
cumulus clouds start gathering together and growing vertically.
3) The base
of the cloud gets darker, indicating the clouds are growing taller.
4) Taller
clouds, darker bases and more of the sky covered by those clouds, the greater
the potential for heavy rainfall, hail, and/or strong gusty downdraft winds.
And of course, lightning.
However, don’t
be lulled into thinking that clouds and thunderstorms can only develop during
the afternoon hours. There are many days that don’t fit this “typical” summertime
thunderstorm scenario.
Storm
systems, otherwise known as low-pressure systems, will periodically roll across
the Rockies in the summer, and these will add additional moisture &
instability to the atmosphere.
Often associated
with a low-pressure system, is a “cold front”. Cold fronts produce more lift
and give a boost to the instability. Some of the more potent and violent
thunderstorms we see are directly related to the passage of a cold front.
The last
thing to be aware of is, the “summer monsoon”. In brief, the Desert Southwest
Monsoon is a seasonal wind flow pattern that brings very moist and unstable air
up from central Mexico, across the Four-Corners Region, and sometimes that
monsoon moisture gets circulated as far north as Northwest Wyoming.
Thunderstorms
associated with the monsoon are some of the most random that we will see in the
summer, and can occur any time of the day or night.
Whenever
you experience a thunderstorm in the middle of the night or just after sunrise
– when the afternoon heating is not really a factor– it is very likely that a
storm system, a cold front, or the monsoon is triggering the thunderstorm activity.
Keeping an
eye on thunderstorm development is of paramount importance to anyone who is
spending the day outside. If the clouds develop into lightning-producing
thunderstorms, then you are at risk of being injured or killed by a lightning
strike; whether you are climbing the Grand, playing a around of golf, fishing the
river, or out on the lake or ball field.
Jim is the
chief meteorologist at mountainweather.com and has been forecasting the weather
in Jackson Hole and the Teton Mountains for almost 25 years.
The moisture is the air had the main hand on happening this thunderstrom as it had droplet of water in it which make it happened at the end of the day with the gathering of cumulus clouds over there. If you want to keep things safe then use gears from www.outdoorgearonly.com and stay safe and focus on the nature.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteStudents frequently express concerns about their own assignments. I'm excited to contact assignment help new zealand Service because they are beneficial to my education and have a fantastic website for managing my project. I will contact them again if I need something in the future because they provided me with a faster and less expensive way to complete my assignments.
It’s really a nice and useful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us to date like this .thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteAbogados Divorcio en Virginia
bankrupty attorney near me
Navigating Divorce in New Jersey Laws? Our skilled lawyer provide you a legal advice.
ReplyDeleteMeteorologist Jim Woodmencey's article "Watching the Sky for Thunderstorms" is an informative and accessible guide for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly in the Rockies. It provides a checklist of signs to watch for thunderstorms, delves into factors like low-pressure systems, cold fronts, and summer monsoons, and promises a follow-up article on lightning safety. estates lawyer
ReplyDeleteWith a focus on the intricacies of motorcycle accidents, these motorcycle accident lawyers work tirelessly to secure favorable outcomes for their clients.
ReplyDeleteGreat insights into thunderstorm development! Understanding the interplay of moisture and air stability is crucial for predicting these weather events. Looking forward to the lightning safety post.
ReplyDeleteCareless Driving Ticket New Jersey
Facing a Appeal Denial of Protective Order Virginia? Our skilled team is provide a legal lawyer.
ReplyDeleteProtect your rights by working with an experienced Fairfax, VA criminal defense attorney. They give committed representation to manage your case and safeguard your interests because they are knowledgeable about local laws.
ReplyDeleteCriminal Defense Lawyer Fairfax VA
ReplyDeletePeople who are accused of crimes frequently find themselves lost in the complex judicial system, not knowing how to defend their rights and ensure their future. In the face of such uncertainty, the advice and representation of an experienced Fairfax criminal defence attorney can be the ray of hope and comfort that people need to get through these trying times.Fairfax Criminal Defense Lawyer VA
"Mountain weather" is a concise and clear phrase that conveys a specific type of climate found in mountainous regions. It effectively sets the context for discussing weather conditions in mountains. If you're looking to expand on this topic, you could add more details about the characteristics of mountain weather, such as rapid changes, high winds, or the influence of altitude on temperature and precipitation bankruptcy chapter 7 lawyers near me
ReplyDeleteYour expertise in meteorology shines through in this comprehensive guide to identifying thunderstorm risks based on sky observations. The detailed explanations and accompanying images make it easy for readers assignment helper to grasp the concepts you're discussing. I feel more equipped to assess weather conditions before heading out thanks to your valuable tips. Can't wait to read more from you!
ReplyDeleteThunderstorms are a natural phenomenon that can be observed by observing the sky. They are often formed from cumulonimbus clouds, which are large, towering, and dense clouds. They can be identified by their darkening clouds, cloud formation, sudden wind changes, temperature drop, humidity, and lightning. Tools for monitoring thunderstorms include weather radar, weather apps, and satellite images criminal lawyer arlington.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete"Watching the sky for thunderstorms" symbolizes anticipation and connection to nature, reminiscing about nature's power, emotional resonance, preparation for challenges, and beauty in chaos. It reminds us of our place in the natural world, emotional turbulence, and the need to prepare for life's uncertainties. The dramatic skies before a storm often represent both chaos and beauty New Jersey Domestic Violence.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteMonitoring the sky for thunderstorms is essential for safety, as observing cloud formations and changes in weather can provide critical early warnings. By staying alert to the signs of impending storms, you can better prepare and protect yourself from nature's sudden fury.
Prince William Domestic Violence Lawyer
Prince William domestic violence lawyers provide compassionate legal support for victims seeking justice while also defending the rights of those accused. They focus on navigating sensitive cases with expertise, aiming for fair resolutions that prioritize safety and well-being for all involved.