Synoptic and Orographic Influences on The 2010 Northern Arizona Tornado Outbreak

The tornado outbreak that occurred on 6 October 2010 in Northern Arizona was the largest single-day tornado outbreak event on record west of the Continental Divide. There were 11 confirmed tornadoes, ranging from EF0 to EF3 damage. This study explores the physical mechanisms that contributed to the event in terms of (1) the synoptic-scale storm environment and (2) the topographic influences leading to tornadic development. Mesoscale WRF UEMS numerical model simulations of the event and ECMWF reanalysis data reveal the influence of instability, moisture, helicity, and orography on supercell development. Three-dimensional Doppler radar data were also used to track the development of rotation within each supercell thunderstorm observed during the event, and those tracks further reveal the influence of terrain elevation and slope on storm rotation and tornadic development in light of observed tornado damage tracks from the event. I argue that the Mogollon Rim is the reason for the tornado outbreak to occur starting north of the rim. This was visually displayed in ArcGIS. In conclusion, this project contributes to the findings of how topography plays a role in tornado genesis