Question

according to dr. bluestein, what weather events come together in the great plains of the u.s. in spring that produce the potential for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes?

Answer 1

During the summer, the U.S. Great Plains routinely experiences nighttime thunderstorms unlike anywhere else in the country. These large-scale storms—sometimes spanning entire states—account for more than 40 percent of annual rainfall in some areas. They can bring much-needed rain to farms and help recharge aquifers, but extremely severe events can also destroy fields, homes, and lives. Scientists have been studying the region for decades to learn the underpinnings of this distinct, repetitive weather pattern.

“In the summer, the Great Plains receives half of its rainfall during the nighttime,” said Kris Bedka, a climate scientist at NASA’s Langley Research Center. “This is very different from the Southeast and mid-Atlantic U.S. that receive the vast majority of rainfall during the day.”