The Influence of Urbanization on Tornado Development in the Central United States: A Case Study of 30 Metropolitan Statistical Areas

Despite the vast amount of research into the urban effect on weather and climate, very little is known about the effect on severe weather events such as tornadoes. As the population of the United States becomes increasingly urban, it is imperative to understand exactly how urbanization can affect such processes. To fill this void in urban meteorology research, this study analyzed urbanization changes in 30 Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the Central United States over a period of 30 years, comparing those changes to tornado occurrences. While the results indicate there is a direct relationship between the size of an urban area and the number of tornado events observed, no relationship exists between urban expansion and tornado events occurring within the urban boundaries. Future work on the subject should incorporate the potential urban effect on downwind locations.

Author

• McWilliams, Katie Lynn

Language

• en

Keyword

• Tornadoes
• Urbanization

Date created

• 2010

Type of Work

• Master's Thesis

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• Geography

Degree

• M.A.

Advisor

• Engstrom, Ryan

Committee Member(s)

• Lopez, Santiago

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/etd/mc87pq352