Development Mechanisms of Summertime Air Mass Thunderstorms Occurring in the Middle Region of South Korea

A diagnostic study on the summertime air mass thunderstorms occurring in the middle region of South Korea was made by analyzing the data of surface and upper air observations as well as the surface and upper level weather charts. The key parameters used in the present study are the amount of precipitable water below 850 hPa level, the vertical profiles of water vapor content and wind, and both the temperature difference and the equivalent potential temperature difference between 850 hPa and 700 hPa levels. It is found from this study that the summertime air mass thunderstorms in the middle region of South Korea can be classified into two distinct types, type I and type II. The thunderstorms of type I occur under the atmospheric conditions of high moisture content, low vertical wind shear in low levels, and conditional instability between 850 hPa and 700 hPa levels. On the other hand, the thunderstorms of type II occur under the atmospheric conditions of less moisture content, higher wind shear and conditional instability. Furthermore, our study suggests that atmospheric instability and the amount of water vapor below 850 hPa level are complementary in the development of air mass thunderstorms. The complementary nature between these two parameters may be an explanation for the thunderstorm development in the areas of low atmospheric water vapor content such as the plains of eastern Colorado.