Case 1 - December 2-3, 2000

Data Overview 9-12 Hours Prior to Onset of Precipitation




  • Satellite Imagery 12/02 0000 UTC through 12/03 0000 UTC:  Water Vapor (6.7µm) and Infrared
  • Identification of Synoptic-Scale Features and Orientation of Axes
  • Upper energy tracks into the Carolinas through 12/2
  • Developing upper low tracks southeast from Minnesota to the TN/OH valleys
  • Upper ridge building into southeastern Canada behind upper impulse exiting New England
  • Evolution of Moisture
  • Subsidence/Darkening in TN Valley
  • Interaction with Tropical/Subtropical Plumes - no interaction with moisture from Gulf of Mexico, Carribean or Pacific
  • No deep moisture associated with the upper low - northern edge of cloud cover in mid OH Valley
  • Identification of Upper Jet Streaks - developing jet streak in TN valley
  • Upper Air Analyses 12/02 0000 UTC through 12/03 0000 UTC:  300 Mb, 500 Mb and 850 Mb
  • Identification of Synoptic-Scale Features and Orientation of Axes
  • Identification of Upper/Low-Level Jet Streaks
  • 850 Mb Thermal and Moisture Advection
  • Surface Data and Trends
  • Thermodynamic Profiles (RAOBS) 12/03/00:  Wash. D.C. (IAD), Wallops Is. (WAL), Roanoke (RNK), Greensboro (GSO) and Morehead City (MHX)
  • 12/02 1200 UTC and 12/03 0000 UTC Surface Plots
  • Salisbury, MD and Richmond, VA Temperature, Dew Point and Pressure Trends
  • Radar trends
  • Precipitation associated with the previous upper impulse is along the coast of the Carolinas
  • Precipitation associated with the upper low is not able to cross the mountains yet
  • northern edge of precipitation associated with the upper low is in the middle of Ohio
  • Radar echoes along the coast of the Carolinas are more intense than the echoes associated with the upper low


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