Movement of Large Convective Rainstorms in Relation to Winds Aloft

Abstract

By means of hourly rainfall data from the Hydroclimatic Network, the motions of large rainstorms, of the kind associated with squall lines, are examined in relation to the winds aloft. Very little correlation is found between the speed of movement of the rainstorms and the wind speed at any level, although the fastest moving storms were associated with strong winds aloft. Significant correlation is found between direction of motion of rainstorms, and wind direction at 700 mb or higher levels. On the average, the rainstorms move with an appreciable component toward right of the wind direction. The difference between these results, and those from other studies based on small precipitation areas, is ascribed to propagation. The mechanism involved is discussed briefly.