Publication Date

1980

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Petersen, Ralph S.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Geography

LCSH

Snow; Atmospheric thermodynamics

Abstract

A statistical analysis to delineate light, moderate and heavy snowfall events was conducted for Peoria, Illinois using thermodynamic variables: temperatures, mixing ratios and thicknesses. The data set was collected for 50 mb intervals starting from the surface to 500 mb on days when "pure" snow occurred in the winters of 1958-1976. Means and standard deviations showed distinct trends, while principal component analysis produced different factor patterns for the snowfall groups. Then discriminant analyses were obtained for selected variables to classify the snowfall events. Together the statistical results showed a definite need for a detailed examination of the atmosphere in delineating the snowfall groups, especially since the standard computer prognostic level data did not distinguish well among the groups. Local climatological results for Peoria, some of which differ from regional climatology found in the Midwest, were also obtained from the statistics.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references.

Extent

49 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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