GOES-10 Science Test

Weather Synopsis - 01 April/12UTC to 02 April/12UTC 1998
 

Synoptic Situation:


A closed upper level low moved from northeastern Iowa toward
the Great Lakes region; a lobe of vorticity ahead of this
low was lifting northeastward across Michigan. Another low over
California migrated eastward across Nevada and Utah; a cold 
pool aloft contributed to steep lapse rates beneath this system. 
A strong (130 to 160 knot) jet continued from northern Mexico 
across the Gulf coast states.


At the surface, an occluded low over Minnesota/Wisconsin
drifted slowly northeastward, with an occluded/stationary 
front stretching eastward across the Great Lakes into
New England; an associated cold front moved eastward
across the Appalachians toward the East Coast.  A moist
air mass continued ahead of the cold front, with dew points
from 60-70 F and precipitable water values exceeding 1.0
inches. In the West, a low and it's attendant cold front 
moved eastward across the Southwest and Intermountain region.


Weather Conditions:


Strong convection developed along and ahead of the cold front
as it approached the East Coast. Several tornadoes were
reported in Virginia (2 fatalities), North Carolina, and
Pennsylvania. Hail up to 1.75 inches in diameter, wind damage,
and minor flooding also accompanied these storms from North
Carolina to New Jersey. 



Low-topped convection across Michigan and Indiana produced
reports of wind damage in those states.


With the eastern U.S. system, rainfall was observed across 
much of the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley regions, and along 
much of the East Coast. Up to 1-2 inches of rain were 
recorded in parts of the mid-Atlantic region and New England.
Newark, New Jersey received 1.65 inches of rain, a record
for the date (01 April). Some light snow (1-5 inch totals) 
fell across eastern South Dakota, southern Minnesota, and 
the upper peninsula of Michigan. 


The western U.S. system produced rainfall across the Southwest
and Intermountain region, with 0.5 - 1.0 inch totals along
the California coast. Tucson, Arizona reported 0.35 inches
of rain, a record for the date (02 April). Snow was reported 
in the higher elevations of the Sierras, and across the 
southern and central Rockies (amounts less than 12 inches).