Environmental Monitoring:Derecho
The Line Storm by John Steuart Curry, 1897-1946. Source: The Smithsonian.
Published: July 25, 2012, 12:00 am
Updated: July 25, 2012, 2:09 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Sidney Draggan Ph.D.
Two types of derecho may be distinguished based largely on the organization and behavior of the associated derecho-producing convective system. The type of derecho most often encountered during the spring and fall is a serial derecho. The second type is a progressive derecho, associated with a relatively short line of thunderstorms.
Derecho
Derechos are widespread, long-lived windstorms associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms. Coined by Dr. Gustavus Hinrichs in 1888, "derechos", a Spanish word which means "direct" or "straight ahead".
Although a derecho's strength can produce destruction similar to tornadoes, the damage pattern produced by these events will occur along relatively straight lines. Thus the term, straight-line wind damage.
Derechos are produced by a family of downbursts clusters. Downburst clusters have overall lengths of 50 to 60 miles (80 to 100 kilometers).
A downburst cluster itself is made up of several downbursts. A downburst is an area of strong, often damaging wind produced by a convective downdraft with the overall size of the downburst varying from 4 to 6 miles (8 to 10 kilometers).
Within the downbursts are microbursts; smaller pockets of more intense wind.
While not shown in the illustration at right, within the microbursts are even smaller pockets of extreme wind called burst swaths. Burst swaths can range from 50 to 150 yards (45 to 140 meters) long. The damage pattern from burst swaths can often resemble a path of a tornado.
Due to this nature of the derecho, damage produced by these wind storms is highly variable along its path. Damage surveys following derecho events have shown that within large areas of overall damage are much smaller pockets of intense damage.
It is not uncommon for one house to be nearly destroyed while adjacent houses have relatively minor damage.
Derechos are produced by long-lived thunderstorm complexes that produce bow echoes.
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Citation
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Content Source);Sidney Draggan Ph.D. (Topic Editor) "Derecho". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth July 25, 2012; Last revised Date July 25, 2012; Retrieved May 22, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Derecho?topic=49501>
Two types of derecho may be distinguished based largely on the organization and behavior of the associated derecho-producing convective system. The type of derecho most often encountered during the spring and fall is a serial derecho. The second type is a progressive derecho, associated with a relatively short line of thunderstorms.
Derecho
Derechos are widespread, long-lived windstorms associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms. Coined by Dr. Gustavus Hinrichs in 1888, "derechos", a Spanish word which means "direct" or "straight ahead".
Although a derecho's strength can produce destruction similar to tornadoes, the damage pattern produced by these events will occur along relatively straight lines. Thus the term, straight-line wind damage.
Derechos are produced by a family of downbursts clusters. Downburst clusters have overall lengths of 50 to 60 miles (80 to 100 kilometers).
A downburst cluster itself is made up of several downbursts. A downburst is an area of strong, often damaging wind produced by a convective downdraft with the overall size of the downburst varying from 4 to 6 miles (8 to 10 kilometers).
Within the downbursts are microbursts; smaller pockets of more intense wind.
While not shown in the illustration at right, within the microbursts are even smaller pockets of extreme wind called burst swaths. Burst swaths can range from 50 to 150 yards (45 to 140 meters) long. The damage pattern from burst swaths can often resemble a path of a tornado.
Due to this nature of the derecho, damage produced by these wind storms is highly variable along its path. Damage surveys following derecho events have shown that within large areas of overall damage are much smaller pockets of intense damage.
It is not uncommon for one house to be nearly destroyed while adjacent houses have relatively minor damage.
Derechos are produced by long-lived thunderstorm complexes that produce bow echoes.
Editor's Note
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
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