Abstract:
This paper is a case study examining a squall line that initiated on 9 November 1998 over the Texas panhandle. The squall line initiated along a cold frontal boundary between cool dry air and warm dry air. The cold front merged with a dry line which allowed the squall line to intensify as the frontal circulation accessed moister, lower-troposphere air. The squall line produced 7 tornadoes across the central plains. There were also over 40 reports of wind gusts (gusts ≥ 26 m s-1) and 16 reports of hail (diameter ≥ 1.9 cm) between 2100 UTC 9 November 1998 and 0700 UTC 10 November 1998 across the central plains. After the primary cold front and area of convection moved through the Texas panhandle there were wind and pressure anomalies associated with a meso-low. This paper will examine the convective initiation, the merger of the cold front and the dry line, and the possible formation of a secondary front in the Texas panhandle associated with the wind and pressure anomalies which occurred behind the main area of convection.
Paper available upon request.