Hail characteristics of different regions in continental part of Croatia based on influence of orography

• Published in: Atmospheric research Vol. 93; no. 1; pp. 516 - 525
• Main Authors: POCAKAL, Damir, VECENAJ, Zeljko, STALEC, Janez
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-07-2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Cb-cells; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; External geophysics; Hail; Hail fall duration; Meteorology; Orography; Storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms; Water in the atmosphere (humidity, clouds, evaporation, precipitation); Southern Europe; Europe; Croatia; Hungary, Mura R; Orography; Hail fall duration; Cb-cells; Hail; time series analysis; Climatology; atmospheric precipitation; Environmental factor; Thunderstorm; Hydroclimatology; duration; Spatial distribution; Severe weather; 1990-2000; Observation data; 1980-1990
• ISSN: 0169-8095; 1873-2895
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosres.2008.10.017

Settled in the mid latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, Croatia is exposed to the frequent occurrence of severe thunderstorms and hail, especially in the continental part between Sava, Drava and Mura rivers (Panonian basin). On the basis of hail data collected in continental part of Croatia (26,800 km
2) in period 1981–2006, it is found that in this area of Croatia which is protected from hail, two different areas can be identified: western (hilly) part with the greatest number of days with hail, and eastern (generally flat) part which has mostly minimum days with hail. Through spatial distribution of hailfall duration, it is shown that majority of quadrants with longer average duration of hailfall is in front of the mountain, and concerning the analysis of Cb-cells movement, it is also found that the areas with greater diameter of hail can be found in front of the mountain.