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Analysis of Nocturnal Temperature Inversions in Meigs County, Ohio: An Appalachian Frost Hollow Case Study

Will, Joshua Daniel

Abstract Details

2006, Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, Geography (Arts and Sciences).

Frost hollows, also known as frost pockets, are bowl-shaped depressions or valleys in which cold air tends to collect. These areas are subject to temperature inversions, where the lowest nocturnal temperatures are at the lowest locations within the frost hollow. Often, regional forecasts do not predict temperature minimums accurately in these areas. This thesis found that temperatures in a 70-meter deep Appalachian frost hollow in southeastern Ohio quickly fell at dusk and inversions were maintained until sunrise. Temperatures at the bottom of the frost hollow often surged during the nights studied. Temperatures were as much as 14° C (25° F) colder at the bottom of the frost hollow than at the top of the surrounding hills, and the first frost occurred 27 days earlier in the bottom of the frost hollow than in the surrounding region. Using step-wise regression, the atmospheric variables wind direction, regional temperature, absolute humidity, and wind speed collectively were shown to have a strong correlation with the amount of inversion, having an adjusted R2 of 0.682. It is hoped that the data presented here will be used in conjunction with topographic data to produce an accurate, predictive model for forecasting low temperatures in frost hollows.

Dorothy Sack (Advisor)
69 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Will, J. D. (2006). Analysis of Nocturnal Temperature Inversions in Meigs County, Ohio: An Appalachian Frost Hollow Case Study [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1149698498

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Will, Joshua. Analysis of Nocturnal Temperature Inversions in Meigs County, Ohio: An Appalachian Frost Hollow Case Study. 2006. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1149698498.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Will, Joshua. "Analysis of Nocturnal Temperature Inversions in Meigs County, Ohio: An Appalachian Frost Hollow Case Study." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1149698498

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)