Review and Case Studies of Non-Traditional Severe Local Windstorms

Several phenomena not traditionally thought of as severe local storms may produce high winds and subsequent wind damage. These include wake lows, solitary waves, and steep cold fronts. In this paper, the basic dynamics of these phenomena are reviewed, including how they produce strong winds. Impedance relations are shown to provide a good indicator of the potential winds from these pressure perturbation events. A case study of each phenomenon producing significant winds or wind damage is presented, including operational clues that the event is imminent or in progress.