Climatology of Large Hail in Europe

  • Faye Hulton

Student thesis: Master of Philosophy

Abstract

Hail accumulations are not officially defined as a severe convective storm (SCS) phenomenon (Doswell, 2001). Very few studies have been conducted focusing on these events. This thesis will focus on investigating the meteorological patterns which have previously led to hail accumulation layers in Europe. The European Severe Weather Database (ESWD) was the initial source of reports, which was then supplemented by media reports. Sixteen studies were retained and grouped based on their 500 hPa geopotential height formation type based on the NOAA Physical Storms Laboratory's NCEP/NCAR reanalysis. The surface weather charts, soundings, alongside media reports for each case study are presented and analysed to understand the conditions which led to these events. This thesis shows that there are currently too few reports to distinguish between events that may led to hail accumulation events. Cut-off and slow-moving troughs were found to be the most common upper air type. Cols and stationary air masses were found to be the most common surface conditions. Weak surface winds were another similarity between many of the case studies, which may be contributing to the stationarity of the storms. When considering the soundings, CAPE values varied from 0 J/kg to over 2500 J/kg, and hence no convective threshold appears to distinguish between hail accumulation layers and other convective phenomena. This thesis offers an initial insight into the current knowledge of hail accumulation layers in Europe.
Date of Award1 Aug 2023
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • The University of Manchester
SupervisorDavid Schultz (Supervisor)

Keywords

  • ESWD
  • Climatology
  • Synoptic Pattern
  • Europe
  • Hail accumulations
  • Hail
  • Severe convective storms

Cite this

'