Date of Award

Fall 12-1-2004

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Geography, Geology, and Anthropology

First Advisor

Gregory D. Bierly

Second Advisor

Ryan R. Jensen

Third Advisor

Jay D. Gatrell

Abstract

Forecasting weather within cyclonic systems is increasingly complicated and problematic when the cyclone is modified as it passes over a mountain range. Although much study has been devoted to orographic effects, the degree of influence exerted upon midlatitude cyclones by the undersized Appalachian Mountains has not been fully established. The fundamental goal of this research was to investigate the relationships between the orography of the Appalachian region and three inherent properties exhibited by midlatitude cyclones traversing the region including intensity, movement speed, and heading. The methodology used in this study integrates GIS within a climatological analysis. Initially, a midlatitude surface cyclone climatology was developed for the region. Afterwards, a descriptive analysis of the baroclinicity associated with selected low pressure systems was performed. Finally, a series of hypotheses related to the research objective were tested using multiple linear regression and Pearson's coefficient correlations. Results showed relatively few weak factors involved in the relationship between cyclone characteristics and Appalachian orography.

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