Heat burst explained

Heat burst should not be confused with heat wave.

In meteorology, a heat burst is a rare atmospheric phenomenon characterized by a sudden, localized increase in air temperature near the Earth's surface. Heat bursts typically occur during night-time and are associated with decaying thunderstorms.[1] They are also characterized by extremely dry air and are sometimes associated with very strong, even damaging, winds.

Although the phenomenon is not fully understood, the event is thought to occur when rain evaporates (virga) into a parcel of cold, dry air high in the atmosphere, making the air denser than its surroundings.[2] The parcel descends rapidly, warming due to compression, overshoots its equilibrium level, and reaches the surface, similar to a downburst.[3]

Recorded temperatures during heat bursts, as informally known as "Satan's Storm", have reached well above 400NaN0, sometimes rising by 18F-change or more within only a few minutes.

Characteristics

In general, heat bursts occur during the late spring and summer seasons. During these times, air-mass thunderstorms tend to generate due to daytime heating and lose their main energy during the evening hours.[4] Due to the potential temperature increase, heat bursts normally occur at night, though they have also been recorded during the daytime. Heat bursts can vary widely in duration, from a couple of minutes to several hours. The phenomenon is usually accompanied by strong gusty winds, extreme temperature changes, and an extreme decrease in humidity. They may occur near the end of a weakening thunderstorm cluster. Dry air and a low-level temperature inversion may also be present during the storm.[5]

Causes

Heat bursts are thought to be caused by a mechanism similar to that of downbursts. As the thunderstorm starts to dissipate, the layer of clouds starts to rise. After the clouds have risen, a rain-cooled layer remains. The cluster shoots a burst of unsaturated air down towards the ground. In doing so, the system loses all of its updraft-related fuel.[6] The raindrops begin to evaporate into dry air, which reinforces the effects of the heat burst (evaporation cools the air, increasing its density). As the unsaturated air descends into lower levels of the atmosphere, the air pressure increases. The descending air parcel warms at the dry adiabatic lapse rate of approximately 10 °C per 1000 meters (18 °F per 1000 feet) of descent. The warm air from the cluster replaces the cool air on the ground. The effect is similar to someone blowing down on a puddle of water.

On 4 March 1990, the National Weather Service in Goodland, Kansas, detected a system that had weakened, containing light rain showers and snow showers. It was followed by gusty winds and a temperature increase. The detection proved that heat bursts can occur in both summer months and winter months, and also that a weakening thunderstorm was not necessary for the development of a heat burst.

Forecasting

The first step in forecasting and preparing for heat bursts is recognizing the events that precede them. Rain from a high convection cloud falls below cloud level and evaporates, cooling the air. Air parcels that are cooler than the surrounding environment descend in altitude. Lastly, temperature conversion mixed with a downdraft momentum continues downward until the air reaches the ground. The air parcels then become warmer than their environment. McPherson, Lane, Crawford, and McPherson Jr. researched the heat burst system at the Oklahoma Mesonet, which is owned by both the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University. The purpose of their research was to discover any technological benefits and challenges in detecting heat bursts, to document the time of day and year at which heat bursts are most likely to occur, and to research the topography of where heat bursts are most likely to occur in Oklahoma.

Scientists and meteorologists use archived data to manually study data that detected 390 potential heat burst days during a fifteen-year period. In studying the archived data, they observed that 58% of the potential days had dry line passages, frontal passages, or a temperature change due to an increase in solar radiation in the hours of the morning or a daytime precipitation weather system.

By studying the archived data, scientists have the ability to determine the beginning, peak, and end of heat burst conditions. The peak of heat burst conditions is the maximum observed temperature. The beginning of a heat burst is the time during which the air temperature increases without decreasing until after the peak; the end of a heat burst is when the system ceases to affect the temperature and dew point of the area.

In addition to researching the life cycle and characteristics of heat bursts, a group of scientists concluded that the topography of Oklahoma coincided with the change in atmospheric moisture between northwest and southeast Oklahoma. An increase in convection normally occurs over the High Plains of the United States during the late spring and summer. They also concluded that a higher increase in convection develops if a mid-tropospheric lifting mechanism interacts with an elevated moist layer.[7]

Documented cases

DateLocationTemperature°F/°C (Initial)Temperature°F/°C (Final)Difference°F (Max)Reference(s)
Schertz, Texas73F93F20 °F[8]
Cherokee, Oklahoma90F103F13 °F[9] [10]
Georgetown, Texas17 °F[11]
Durban, South Africa12 °F[12]
Tracy, Minnesota13 °F[13]
Beja, Portugal18.9 °F[14]
Greenville, North Carolina13 °F[15]
Littleton, Colorado16 °F[16] [17]
Friona, Texas18.1 °F[18] [19] [20]
San Antonio, Texas12 °F[21] [22]
Edmond, Oklahoma[23]
Donna Nook, Lincolnshire, England18 °F[24]
Chicago, Illinois7 °F[25] [26] [27]
Chicago, Illinois8 °F
Hobart, Oklahoma25.2 °F[28]
Calgary, Alberta7 °F
Melbourne, Victoria16.2 °F[29] [30] [31]
14.9 °F
12.6 °F
5 °F
Grand Island, Nebraska19.5 °F[32]
Dane County, Wisconsin10 °F[33]
South Dakota21 °F[34]
Georgetown, South Carolina11 °F[35]
Bussey, Iowa11 °F[36] [37]
Torcy, Seine-et-Marne, France18.9 °F[38]
Atlantic, Iowa14 °F[39] [40] [41]
Indianapolis, Indiana15 °F[42]
Wichita, Kansas17 °F[43]
Buenos Aires, Argentina6.4 °F[44]
Delmarva Peninsula19 °F[45]
Edmonton, Alberta16 °F[46] [47] [48] [49] [50]
Sioux Falls, South Dakota31 °F[51]
Cozad, Nebraska20 °F[52]
Midland, Texas26 °F[53] [54]
Emporia, Kansas20 °F[55]
Canby, Minnesota[56]
Hastings, Nebraska19 °F[57] [58]
Wichita Falls, Texas11 °F[59] [60]
Chickasha, Oklahoma14.3 °F[61]
Ninnekah, Oklahoma13.5 °F
Phoenix, Arizona8 °F[62]
Barcelona, Spain23 °F[63]
Barcelona, Spain23 °F
Kopperl, Texas65 °F[64]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Glossary of Meteorology . . 2000 . 1-878220-34-9 . American Meteorological Society. . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110606102146/http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/search?id=heat-burst1 . 6 June 2011.
  2. Web site: Oklahoma "heat burst" sends temperatures soaring. USA Today. 8 July 1999. 9 May 2007.
  3. Johnson . Jeffrey . Examination of a Long-Lived Heat Burst Event in the Northern Plains . . 27 . 27–34 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20050611001108/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0QRG/is_27/ai_n11836123 . dead . 2005-06-11 . December 2003 .
  4. National Weather ServiceAlbuquerque, NM Weather Forecast Office. "Heat Bursts". Retrieved from http://www.srh.noaa.gov/abq/?n=localfeatureheatburst
  5. Web site: National Weather Service. All About Heat Bursts. 2015-01-30.
  6. National Weather Service. Wilmington, North Carolina. "Georgetown Heat Burst." Retrieved from www.weather.gov/ilm/GeorgetownHeatBurst.
  7. Kenneth Crawford, Justin Lane, Renee McPherson, William McPherson Jr. "A Climatological Analysis of Heat Bursts in Oklahoma (1994-2009)." International Journal of Climatology. Volume 31. Issue 4. Pages 531-544. (10 Mar.).
  8. Web site: Villalpando . Roberto . 2023-09-11 . Rare heat burst recorded near Schertz after storms: Here's what you need to know about heat bursts. . 2023-12-14 . San Antonio Express-News . en.
  9. Web site: Oberholtz . Chris . 2023-07-18 . Spinning 'mothership' cloud helps create rare meteorological phenomenon heat burst in Oklahoma . 2023-07-20 . FOX Weather . en-US.
  10. Web site: Although winds have come down a bit, it's been about 100 degrees in Cherokee for the past 2 hours from this heat burst! . 2023-07-18 . Twitter . en.
  11. Web site: NWS Austin/San Antonio On Twitter . Twitter . https://web.archive.org/web/20230625210612/https://twitter.com/NWSSanAntonio/status/1669964792617132032 . 25 June 2023 . live . 25 June 2023.
  12. Web site: US Department of Commerce . NOAA . Time Series Viewer . 2022-08-23 . www.weather.gov . EN-US.
  13. Web site: NWS Twin Cities on Twitter . Twitter . https://web.archive.org/web/20220614102617/https://twitter.com/NWSTwinCities/status/1536655639690088449 . 14 June 2022 . live . 29 July 2022.
  14. Web site: IPMA - Detalhe noticia . 2022-05-30 . www.ipma.pt.
  15. Web site: NWS Newport/Morehead On Twitter . Twitter . https://web.archive.org/web/20210623101852/https://twitter.com/nwsboulder/status/1407569283803074560 . 23 June 2021 . live . 29 July 2022.
  16. Web site: NWS Boulder On Twitter . Twitter . https://web.archive.org/web/20210623101852/https://twitter.com/nwsboulder/status/1407569283803074560 . 23 June 2021 . live . 29 July 2022.
  17. Web site: Heat burst raises temperature 16 degrees in 30 minutes near Chatfield Reservoir . KDVR . June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211006060306/https://kdvr.com/news/local/heat-burst-raises-temperature-16-degrees-in-30-minutes-near-chatfield-reservoir/ . 6 October 2021 . live . 29 July 2022.
  18. Web site: Mesonet Observation . 13 June 2021 . West Texas Mesonet . 13 June 2021.
  19. iembot_lub . IEMBot LUB . 1403972791494266880 . 13 June 2021 . At 1:55 AM CDT, 2 NE Friona [Parmer Co, TX] MESONET reports NON-TSTM WND GST of M68 MPH. Heat burst with surface temperature warming 18 degrees to 88 degrees accompanied by a 68 Mph wind gust. Temperature warmed to 90 at 30 foot as well. No lightning..
  20. NWSLubbock . NWS Lubbock . 1403971878084132870 . 13 June 2021 . A heat burst just occurred at the West Texas Mesonet site in Friona. There was a wind gust of 68mph at 1:55am along with the temperature jumping from 70F to 87F. #lubwx #txwx.
  21. Web site: Thunderstorms cause 'heat burst' in San Antonio Tuesday morning . 2023-12-14 . spectrumlocalnews.com . en.
  22. Web site: Rare Heat Burst Causes Damage in San Antonio - Videos from The Weather Channel . 2023-12-14 . The Weather Channel . en-US.
  23. CodWWillisWX . Cody Willis . 1268744028792725509 . 4 June 2020 . @spann Heat burst right now Edmond Oklahoma, it's 97 degrees at 10:17!.
  24. News: 'Heat burst': If you slept badly last night, this could be why . 26 July 2019 . Sky News . 26 July 2019 . en.
  25. Web site: July 16, 2017: Sharp Overnight Temperature Climb Observed; Heat Burst? . 13 June 2021 . NWS Chicago . 16 July 2017.
  26. Web site: MESOWEST STATION INTERFACE. mesowest.utah.edu. 13 June 2021.
  27. Web site: MESOWEST STATION INTERFACE. mesowest.utah.edu. 13 June 2021.
  28. Web site: MESOWEST STATION INTERFACE. mesowest.utah.edu. 15 September 2017.
  29. Web site: Latest Weather Observations for Laverton . . 15 January 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140115111510/http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDV60901/IDV60901.94865.shtml . 15 January 2014 . dead.
  30. Web site: Latest Weather Observations for Cerberus . . 15 January 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140115111659/http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDV60901/IDV60901.94898.shtml . 15 January 2014 . dead.
  31. Web site: Latest Weather Observations for Melbourne . . 15 January 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140115111937/http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDV60901/IDV60901.94868.shtml . 15 January 2014 . dead.
  32. Web site: Riverside/Barr Weather. Wunderground.com. 2017-09-15. 3 January 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140103231527/http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KNEGRAND2&month=6&day=11&year=2013. dead.
  33. Web site: 'Heat burst' winds leave trail of downed lines. jsonline.com. 15 September 2017.
  34. Web site: Gusty Winds This Morning From Apparent Heat Bursts. crh.noaa.gov. 15 September 2017.
  35. Web site: Georgetown Heat Burst. www.weather.gov. EN-US. 2019-03-25.
  36. Web site: Rare phenomenon leads to bizarre weather event in Central Iowa. Des Moines Register.
  37. Web site: Rare heat burst just occurred in Iowa . KCCI . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120504185153/http://www.kcci.com/weather/Rare-heat-burst-just-occurred-in-Iowa/-/9358602/12537222/-/2misjxz/-/index.html . 4 May 2012 .
  38. Web site: 24 °C en Île-de-France la nuit dernière, des rafales à 110 km/h !. 30 April 2012 . METEO CONSULT - La Chaine Météo / Groupe Figaro.
  39. Web site: Heat Burst Affects Southwest Iowa. National Weather Service Des Moines, Iowa.
  40. Web site: Rare "Heat burst" hits Atlantic area. Radio Iowa. 24 August 2011.
  41. Web site: Temps Rocket From 80s to 102 in Minutes . KCCI . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120322064655/http://www.kcci.com/r/28962004/detail.html . 22 March 2012 .
  42. Web site: Heat Burst Occurs in the Indianapolis Area.
  43. http://www.kwch.com/kwch-jab-did-you-feel-this-mornings-heat-burst-20110609,0,5006130.story
  44. Web site: Heat Burst in Buenos Aires. https://archive.today/20120712220705/http://foro.meteored.com/meteorologia+general/bolsa+de+aire+caliente+en+buenos+aires+345ordm+c+y+8+de+hr+a+las+10+pm-t109635.0.html;msg2192335%23new. dead. meteored.com. 15 September 2017. 12 July 2012.
  45. http://www.erh.noaa.gov/akq/wx_events/severe/HeatBurst42609/heatburst_20090426.htm Heat burst
  46. Web site: The heat burst of 18 August 2008. University of Manitoba. 19 March 2016.
  47. Web site: Hourly Data Report for August 18, 2008 . Environment Canada . 19 March 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160329110608/http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climateData/hourlydata_e.html?timeframe=1&Prov=AB&StationID=31427&dlyRange=2005-01-21%7C2015-04-01&Year=2008&Month=8&Day=18 . 29 March 2016 .
  48. Web site: Observations. University of Manitoba. 19 March 2016.
  49. Web site: The evening tephigram from the region. University of Manitoba. 19 March 2016.
  50. Web site: Reflectivity animation (RADAR). University of Manitoba. 19 March 2016.
  51. Web site: Convective Heat Burst moves across Sioux Falls . 15 September 2017 . crh.noaa.gov.
  52. Web site: NTV - KHGI/KWNB/WSWS-CA - Where your news comes first. - Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings, Lincoln | Cozad Witnesses Rare Weather. https://web.archive.org/web/20080630055632/http://www.nebraska.tv/Global/story.asp?S=8563368&nav=menu605_2 . dead . 30 June 2008.
  53. http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2008/06/17/news/top_stories/doc4857af7c54b33314052160.txt
  54. Web site: Midland Heat Burst - Damage Survey. noaa.gov. 15 September 2017.
  55. Web site: Special Weather Statement. National Weather Service, Topeka, Kansas. 25 May 2008.
  56. Web site: Late Night Heat Burst in Western Minnesota on 16–17 July 2006 . National Weather Service, Twin Cities . 9 May 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060901141417/http://climate.umn.edu/doc/journal/heatburst060717.htm . 1 September 2006 .
  57. Web site: Weather History for Hastings, NE. wunderground.com. 15 September 2017.
  58. Web site: Hastings, NE. crh.noaa.gov. 15 September 2017.
  59. Web site: Daily Historical Weather Browser . 2011-06-09 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121019091719/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/wxhistory/gethistory.php?month=06 . 19 October 2012.
  60. Web site: Heat Burst strikes OK/KS late Friday night. storm2k.org. 15 September 2017.
  61. Web site: Cappella. Chris. Heat burst captured by weather network. USA Today. 23 June 1999. 9 May 2007.
  62. Web site: Weather History for Phoenix, Arizona . wunderground.com. 19 July 2023.
  63. ARÚS DUMENJO, J. (2001): "Reventones de tipo cálido en Cataluña", V Simposio nacional de predicción del Instituto Nacional de Meteorología, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Madrid, págs. 1-7 Repositorio Arcimís, http://repositorio.aemet.es/handle/20.500.11765/4699 (versión electrónica).http://www.divulgameteo.es/uploads/Reventones-c%C3%A1lidos-Catalu%C3%B1a.pdf http://oratge.org/Almeria.html http://www.tiemposevero.es/AEMET/B2-BAR_Reventon_calido.pdf http://www.arus.cat/fiblons/B2-BAR_Reventon_calido.pdf
  64. Web site: The Kopperl Heat Burst. 15 June 2009.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Heat burst".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.