Convective and Rotational Parameters Associated with Three Tornado Episodes in Northern and Central California

Abstract

An overview of the synoptic and subsynoptic controls on three tornado episodes (seven tornadoes) in northern and central California during December 1992 is presented and compared to the “prototype” documented for the 24 September 1986 mesocyclone-induced F2 event in the Sacramento Valley. Convective and rotational parameters calculated interactively on the Skew T/Hodograph Analysis and Research Programs supported anecdotal evidence that the tornadoes considered in this study were mesocyclone induced. The study indicates that careful subsynoptic analyses and evaluation of buoyancy and shear parameters can establish a mesoscale focus for supercellular development in California “cold sector,” low buoyancy-moderate shear thunderstorm environments.