The Role of Convective Instability in an Oklahoma Squall Line

Abstract

Previous investigations of the 8 June 1966 National Severe Storms Laboratory case show that mesoscale lift from an ?inland sea breeze? due to a newly formed temperature gradient preceded convection. Using additional surface data, this case was reanalyzed over all of Oklahoma. Cloud work functions were calculated from real and interpolated data to measure convective instability. The results indicated that the above temperature gradient was the eastern one of two gradients located on either side of a warm tongue. The cells formed over the eastern gradient where the convective instability was highest.