WW2010
University of Illinois

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Online Guides
 
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> meteorology
 
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Meteorology
 
  introduction
 
  air masses, fronts
 
  clouds, precipitation
 
  el nino
 
  forces, winds
 
  hurricanes
 
  hydrologic cycle
 
  light, optics
 
  midlatitude cyclones
 
> severe storms
 
  weather forecasting

Severe Storms
 
  introduction
 
  dangers of t-storms
 
  types of t-storms
 
  tstorm components
 
  tornadoes
 
> modeling

Modeling
 
  introduction
 
  supercells
 
> convective lines
 
  forecasting

Convective Lines
 
  convective lines
 
> squall lines
 
  tornadoes

User Interface
 
  graphics
> text

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Squall Lines

Squall lines generally form along or ahead of cold fronts and drylines and can produce severe weather in the form of heavy rainfall, strong winds, large hail, and frequent lightning.

Squall lines can extend to hundreds of miles in length, simultaneously affecting several states at a time. They also can travel quickly -- at speeds up to 60 mph. [Image: (38K)]
Photo by Doswell

Squall lines typically form in unstable atmospheric environments in which low-level air can rise unaided after being initially lifted (e.g., by a front) to the point where condensation of water vapor occurs. Heat is released during condensation, resulting in the rising air becoming lighter than nearby air at the same height. This leads to an increase in the speed of the rising air which sometimes reaches speeds above 30 mph. In models this initial lifting is specified through an idealization of the flow associated with the front or other lifting mechanism or through the use of observational flow information.

In this simulation, the clouds are shown in grey, and the surface color represents surface winds as seen by an observer moving with the line. Blue represents winds approaching the storm while greens and reds represent the winds in the cold air behind the storm outflow. [Embedded Object: Animation (1.53MB)]


Video by Jewett

The gust front is located along the line where these winds meet -- which extends from the surface well up into the the storm.


The schematic above is a depiction of the structure of a well-formed squall line. Such schematics are often a key result of a scientific investigation and can be based on observations, model and/or theory. They help communicate some of the key features in a simple and concise way. Note the similarity of the schematic to features in previous animation including the overshooting top, anvil, and gust front.



convective lines
Terms for using data resources. CD-ROM available.
Credits and Acknowledgments for WW2010.
Department of Atmospheric Sciences (DAS) at
the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

tornadoes