Panhandle hook
Formation
A panhandle hook storm has its origins as a strong
If the associated jet stream is stronger than normal and there is colder than normal air in place in central Canada to provide a greater than normal temperature contrast with Gulf of Mexico moisture drawn northward by the developing panhandle low, surface cyclogenesis can be particularly energetic and cause a great swath of heavy snow to develop and blanket a large portion of the American Great Plains and upper-midwestern states in conjunction with very strong winds, the combination of which exceeds blizzard criteria. Over the Great Lakes, the interaction of these storms with the lakes can amplify windspeeds causing extreme heavy sometimes localized snowfall, thundersnow and often shoreline erosion. Initially pleasant weather ahead of the northeast-bound storm can lull the unwary into dressing lightly and then being surprised by heavy snow accompanied by howling easterly and northerly winds as the low traverses south to east of their location.
Historic panhandle hooks
Famous storms that were panhandle hooks are the
See also
- Alberta clipper
- Colorado low
- Gulf low
- Nor'easter
- Salient (geography), official name for panhandle
References
- ^ "Jet Stream - Weather Glossary: P's". National Weather Service. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
- ^ a b Holthaus, Eric (19 February 2014). ""Texas Hooker" to Bring Midwest Blizzard, Tornadoes at the Same Time". Slate. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
- ^ Heidorn, Keith (1 November 2010). "pThe Edmund Fitzgerald Storm". The Weather Doctor. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
External links
- Media related to Panhandle hook at Wikimedia Commons