Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Brown, Michael E.

Committee Member

Furhmann, Christopher M.

Committee Member

Shelton, Taylor

Date of Degree

12-13-2019

Original embargo terms

Visible to MSU only for 2 years

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Professional Meteorology/Climatology

Degree Name

Master of Science

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Department of Geosciences

Abstract

Building materials, lack of vegetation and absence of open spaces in urban areas cause surfaces such as asphalt to become warmer than nearby vegetated surfaces that surround the city, creating the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Little investigation has been done regarding temperature changes across these surfaces before and after frontal passages. This study analyzes the 24-hour temperature difference as a result of a cold front passage by examining the transitional seasons (Spring and Fall) for Dallas, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; and Kansas City, Missouri. This research focused on investigating the pattern of moist and dry tropical air masses preceding a transitional air mass and moist and dry polar air masses the proceeding 24-hours. Using recorded hourly data from Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS) stations during these events one can visualize the time lag in temperature change between sites in developed urban areas and surrounding more vegetated surfaces outside the city.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11668/16399

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