The 8 and 9 July 1993 Nebraska Derecho: An Observational Study and Comparison to the Climatology of Related Mesoscale Convective Systems

Abstract

This study addresses a particularly damaging derecho that occurred on 8 and 9 July 1993. This progressive, warm season derecho organized in northeastern Colorado and swept through Nebraska and Kansas before dissipating in western Iowa. Records indicate this was one of the costliest single storms in Nebraska?s history. A detailed analysis was conducted to determine which synoptic and mesoscale processes initiated, sustained, and dissipated the derecho. Research has provided insights into derecho environments and structure; however, observational studies using comprehensive datasets are necessary for comparative examinations. This study presents several unique characteristics of the derecho-producing mesoscale convective system, including multiscale interactions and observational data with strong temporal relevance to the event. It is both the climatological and unique characteristics that are examined in this investigation.