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Hydrometeorological application of an extratropical cyclone classification scheme in the southern United States

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Abstract

Extratropical cyclones (ETCs) in the southern United States are often overlooked when compared with tropical cyclones in the region and ETCs in the northern United States. Although southern ETCs are significant weather events, there is currently not an operational scheme used for identifying and discussing these nameless storms. In this research, we classified 84 ETCs (1970–2009). We manually identified five distinct formation regions and seven unique ETC types using statistical classification. Statistical classification employed the use of principal components analysis and two methods of cluster analysis. Both manual and statistical storm types generally showed positive (negative) relationships with El Niño (La Niña). Manual storm types displayed precipitation swaths consistent with discrete storm tracks which further legitimizes the existence of multiple modes of southern ETCs. Statistical storm types also displayed unique precipitation intensity swaths, but these swaths were less indicative of track location. It is hoped that by classifying southern ETCs into types, that forecasters, hydrologists, and broadcast meteorologists might be able to better anticipate projected amounts of precipitation at their locations.

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Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank anonymous reviewers for their helpful criticism and insight in improving this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, University of Alabama, Box 870322, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA

    J. C. Senkbeil, D. M. Brommer, I. J. Comstock & T. Loyd

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  1. J. C. Senkbeil
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  2. D. M. Brommer
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  3. I. J. Comstock
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  4. T. Loyd
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Correspondence to J. C. Senkbeil.

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Senkbeil, J.C., Brommer, D.M., Comstock, I.J. et al. Hydrometeorological application of an extratropical cyclone classification scheme in the southern United States. Theor Appl Climatol 109, 27–38 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-011-0562-1

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