the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Objectively identified mesoscale surface air pressure waves in the context of winter storm environments and radar reflectivity features: a 3+ year analysis
Abstract. Atmospheric gravity waves (i.e., buoyancy waves) can occur within stable layers when vertical oscillations are triggered by localized heating, flow over terrain, or imbalances in upper level flow. Case studies of winter storms have associated gravity waves with heavier surface snowfall, but the representativeness of those findings for settings without orographic precipitation has not been previously addressed.
To detect gravity waves, we deployed networks of high precision pressure sensors from January 2020 to April 2023 in and around Toronto, ON, Canada, and New York, NY, USA, two regions without strong topographic forcing. Pressure wave events were identified when at least 4 sensors in a network detected propagating pressure waves with wave periods ≤ 67 min, wavelengths ≤ 170 km, and amplitudes ≥ 0.45 hPa. We detected 33 pressure wave events across 40 months of data, of which 23 were gravity waves and the rest were frontal passages, outflow boundary passages, or a wake low.
Reanalysis model output and operational weather observations provided environmental context for each gravity wave event. Consistent with previous work, most gravity wave events occurred with strong upper-level flow imbalance to the south or west of their location. Of the 79 winter storms with snow that occurred over our 40 months of observations, only 6 had detectable gravity waves. For New York City, the typical offshore cyclone low center track means the metro area is usually in a location where gravity waves are not expected to occur.
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Status: final response (author comments only)
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RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2160', Anonymous Referee #1, 16 Sep 2024
This work builds on previous analysis and techniques to investigate gravity waves using surface observations, radar, and reanalysis. In particular, it goes beyond the previous case study approach to a broader analysis. The manuscript reflects a thorough examination of each event and the relevant processes related to each one. The discussion and interpretation are sound, and any caveats (in the physical interpretation or from the methodology) are clearly identified. The authors point out that a relatively few number of sufficient (with respect to snow rates) amplitude cases occur during this time period and for these locations.
The manuscript has clear motivations and implications, is logically organized, is well written, and includes appropriate figures with excellent supplementary information that helps visualization. I do not have any specific comments that should be addressed.
Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2160-RC1 - AC1: 'Author response on egusphere-2024-2160', Luke R. Allen, 13 Nov 2024
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RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2160', Anonymous Referee #2, 21 Sep 2024
Please see attached PDF for reviewer comments.
- AC1: 'Author response on egusphere-2024-2160', Luke R. Allen, 13 Nov 2024
- AC1: 'Author response on egusphere-2024-2160', Luke R. Allen, 13 Nov 2024
Data sets
Data for "Objectively identified mesoscale surface air pressure waves in the context of winter storm environments and radar reflectivity features: a 3+ year analysis" Luke Allen, Sandra Yuter, Laura Tomkins, and Matthew Miller https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11373040
Data for Objective identification of pressure wave events from networks of 1-Hz, high-precision sensors Matthew Miller and Luke Allen https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8136536
Video supplement
2023/04/01 KBUF radar 4-panel animation Luke R. Allen, Laura M. Tomkins, and Sandra E. Yuter https://doi.org/10.5446/67635
2021/02/18 KOKX radar 4-panel animation Luke R. Allen, Laura M. Tomkins, and Sandra E. Yuter https://doi.org/10.5446/67765
2023/04/05 KBUF radar 4-panel animation Luke R. Allen, Laura M. Tomkins, and Sandra E. Yuter https://doi.org/10.5446/67633
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