129-56 Synergistic Effects of the Balcones Escarpment and Urban Heat Island on Convective Storm Intensification Over San Antonio

Abstract:

Urbanization significantly alters the local thermodynamic environment, presenting a unique question regarding the intensity of convective storm systems in relation to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) of San Antonio. Mesoscale convective storm systems inflow and updraft warm buoyant air parcels generating physical and chemical instability in the troposphere. This study observes the interplay of these thermally boosted air parcels caused due to high Land Surface Temperatures (LSTs) and terrain profiles in driving storm intensity characteristics in San Antonio, TX.

Using a geospatial analysis program written in python, we track and monitor archived storms as they traverse the Balcones Escarpment transition zone and enter the urban zone. We propose that the escarpment transition zone acts as a reverse forced convection mechanism, where lowering elevation and increasing humidity provide thermal energy to storms. Furthermore, we suggest that the Urban Heat Island (UHI) acts as an additional thermal driver, which can either intensify or weaken these storms. Preliminary results suggest that both the orographic terrain profile and the localized UHI contribute additional thermal energy to storm cells. Results will determine whether storms experienced increased or decreased intensity changes. This study contributes to the critical and necessary understanding of the impact of the urban environment on our Earth’s natural synoptic processes.

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