Abstract:
A suite of numerical weather prediction models, along with observations, was used to attempt to determine whether midtropospheric potential vorticity anomalies are, in fact, associated with flash-flood events, as has been suggested. Two cases (27 June 1995 in Madison County, VA and 16 June 1996 in Ames, IA) were examined in detail. Three other floods were given a cursory analysis. The results are strongly suggestive that, in many cases, potential vorticity anomalies can be associated with these events, although limited model resolution in some cases inhibited a definitive answer.
Paper available upon request.