May 3 tornado outbreak work

Data collected from the May 3 tornado outbreak in Oklahoma has initiated the following research:

Dave Schultz and Paul Roebber (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) are using a mesoscale model simulation (2km grid spacing) of the May 3 event to look at the influence of a region of inertial instability prior to convective initiation and the possible use of such high resolution model simulations as a forecast tool.

Jack Kain, Mike Baldwin, and Dave Stensrud, along with SPC's Steven Weiss and John Hart, are examining mesoscale numerical weather prediction model output to determine its ability to provide useful guidance in predicting important synoptic and mesoscale features leading to the outbreak and to explore the critical prediction of convective initiation and evolution.

Patrick Burke has performed an in- depth study of the performance of WDSS algorithms on the May 3 event. He has focused on the Mesocyclone Detection Algorithm, Tornado Detection Algorithm, Bounded Weak Echo Region Algorithm, and the Neural Network for Tornado Prediction.

Mark Askelson is using polarimetric radar data from the May 3 event. It is part of his Ph.D. research concerning differences between tornadic and non-tornadic supercells as revealed by polarimetric radar data.

Bim Wood and Rodger Brown are using special data collected with the KCRI WSR-88D to produce higher resolution reflectivity, mesocyclone, and tornadic vortex signatures at low elevation angles in the May 3 storms.

Bob Rabin has conducted some research on the upper level mesoscale wind structure using an automated algorithm which tracks features in GOES water vapor imagery. It appears that a well- defined wind maximum played a role in the development of the convective cluster.

Erik Rasmussen is co-advising an OU student who is studying the May 3 storm.

Greg Stumpf continues to work with damage survey results.

Lou Wicker is examining the May 3 storms via cloud modeling.