The possible relationships between atmospheric teleconnections and severe thunderstorm outbreaks in the continental United States

• Main Author: Hitchens, Nathan M.
• Other Authors: Arnold, David L., 1955-
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2006
• Subjects: Ocean-atmosphere interaction; Atmospheric circulation; Thunderstorms > United States; Arctic; Pacific; Soi; North Atlantic; North Atlantic oscillation
• Online Access: http://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/handle/handle/188216; http://liblink.bsu.edu/catkey/1339150

The purpose of this study is to examine possible relationships between changes in values of teleconnection indices related to the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), Pacific-North American (PNA) pattern, and Arctic Oscillation (AO), and outbreaks of severe thunderstorms for specific time periods following such changes. A series of chi-squared tests are performed to determine if statistically significant relationships exist between changes in teleconnection index values and the occurrence of severe thunderstorm outbreaks. Results indicate that changes in the SOI seem to be related to an increase in the frequency of outbreaks that follow in the short-term. Department of Geography Thesis (M.S.)