Publication Date

2024

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Michaelis, Allison C.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Earth, Atmosphere, and Environment (EAE)

Abstract

Understanding the characteristics of snowfall across the Midwest U.S. is critical for regional ecosystems, water cycles, and socioeconomic activities. The Midwest, however, has not been the primary focus of snow-related research in recent years. Therefore, this research uses observational and reanalysis data in the Midwest from 1991 through 2020 and radar data from 2009 through 2020 to create a comprehensive snowfall climatology, investigate regional trends in heavy snowfall, and determine the frequency of banded versus non-banded snowfall. As expected, heavy snowfall (i.e., daily snowfall accumulation >4") is most frequent in northern Midwest (e.g., Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin), with the frequency of heavy snowfall sharply decreasing equatorward into the lower Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys. Consistent with previous work, most (59%) of heavy snowfall observations occur northwest of an associated cyclone. Significant increasing 30-year trends in heavy snowfall are observed along the Iowa-Minnesota border extending northeast through Wisconsin, a pattern consistent with observed changes in cyclone passage over this region. Increasing trends in moderate snowfall (i.e., daily snowfall accumulation ≥2"), on the other hand, are concentrated in central Illinois through southern Wisconsin, suggesting that some locations may have recently experienced more moderate snowfall with little-to-no change in heavy snowfall. Midwest heavy snowfall is predominantly non-banded, suggesting that banded snowfall, while impactful, may not significantly contribute to the overall regional Midwest snowfall climatology. Ultimately, this Midwest-centric snowfall climatology provides important insights for forecasting enhancement, climate adaptation strategies, and societal resilience.

Extent

66 pages

Language

en

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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