A team of researchers is investigating the role Lake Michigan plays in forming thunderstorms. The project could inform weather modeling around the world.
Thunderstorms are the result of three key ingredients: lift, instability and moisture.
Researchers are now studying how the transition — from open water in Lake Michigan to an inland environment — affects these factors and creates thunderstorms.
Jason Keeler is the study's lead investigator and a professor of meteorology at Central Michigan University. He said the project will create a massive dataset that could improve thunderstorm prediction in other coastal regions.
"With our broad suite of instruments we're using, it will give us more knowledge on how those storms develop and where those storms develop — or why they don't," Keeler said.
Four other universities will be collaborating on the $2.5 million project, which will span at least three years.
"It really is a thrill to be able to be out in the field and work with so many gifted scientists and put our heads together to just figure out this complicated phenomena," Keeler said.
Fieldwork will begin this July with the deployment of more than 600 weather balloons and other data collection tools.
