Journal of Geology & Geophysics
Open Access
ISSN: 2381-8719
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2381-8719
+44 1478 350008
Brown ME
Mississippi State, MS
Tanzania
Research Article
Investigation of Vegetation Discontinuities Related to the Yazoo City Tornado Scar and Enhanced Convection
Author(s): Gutter BF, Brown ME and Cox DA
Gutter BF, Brown ME and Cox DA
The Yazoo City tornado occurred on April 24, 2010, traveling 240 km from Tallulah, Louisiana through Yazoo City, Mississippi and ending near Starkville, Mississippi. The tornado reached a maximum wind speed of 76 m s-1 and obtained a maximum width of 2.8 km. Landsat imagery showed a distinct vegetation scar along the majority of the path of the tornado. Abrupt changes in vegetation and the related sensible and latent heat fluxes have been shown to enhance convective activity along and near the resulting land surface discontinuities. The enhancement of convection is likely related to mesoscale circulations generated along thermal and moisture discontinuities and is best identified during synoptically benign periods. This study analyzed heightened convective activity (analyzed by looking at cloudto- ground lightning data) along the Yazoo City tornado track on days of weak synoptic forci.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2329-6755.1000185