A Statistical Study of Dependence of Hailstorm Severity on Environmental Conditions

Abstract Rawinsonde observations taken during the National Hail Research Experiment are analyzed by multiple-linear regression techniques to study the influence of environmental factors on hailstorm severity. The latter is inferred from integrated radar returns. The roles of mixed-layer flow and thermodynamic properties as well as upper tropospheric kinematic properties are emphasized. The low-level properties are found to be more important discriminators of storm severity over the High Plains.