Previous Meteorology Paper Titles


Below are titles of papers and presentations from previous "Senior Seminar" courses and other meteorology courses. They may help students select titles in future years, but students must remember that course requirements and quidelines change over the years.

Paper titles are listed first and presentation titles are in parenthesis.
Only one title means it was used for both the paper and presentation.


Spring 2001


The Causes and Effects of lake-effect snow- Tony Petronio

Microbursts and Their Effects on Society and Aviation- James Midgley

Forecasting the Sea Breeze in Coastal Maine- Scott D. Vibert

Statistically modeling the Variability of Significant Tornado Climatology in the United States- Tracy Lynn McCormick

Acid Rain: An emerging international problem- Jason Dollard

Short Term Severe Thunderstorm Forecasting- Fred Samplatsky

A Review of Flooding- Nathaniel Rochedieu

An Overview of Research on the Greenland Ice Sheet- Jason B. Michaud

Hurricane Andrew: How it Rewrote the Books on Home Construction in South Florida- Keith Rivet

Urban Heat Islands: Do They Really Affect our Weather?- Dina R. Freedman

The Dynamics and Evolution of Midlatitude Mesoscale Convective Systems- Tim Trudel


Spring 2000


Volcanic Eruption's Global Climatic Effects- Kevin Forgione

Formation of African Easterly Waves- Andrew Toth

Forecasting Bow Echoes: Storm Systems Capable of Significant Wind Damage- Andrew Gagnon

Snowmelt - Streamflow Processes in the Central Sierra Nevada- Joe Coughlin

A Comparative Study of ASOS and Manual Observations at Blue Hill Observatory- Josh Nichols

Seasonal Affective Disorder and Lesser Known Biometeorological Phenomenon- Steve Chapron

Vally Winds Systems and Idaho's Snake River Valley- MacPherson

Volcanic Eruptions: Disturbances in our Atmosphere, as well as, Optical and Special Effects- Adam Stampfl

Detection and Forecasting Methods for Aircraft Icing- Tim Ulrich

ENSO/NAO and Its Effect on Snowfall at the Blue Hill Observatory- Jeremy Davis

The Formation, Effects, and Forecasting of La Nino- Jason Lachance

Effect of Sea-level Rise on the U.S. Coast- Brian Whitley

Forecasted and Actual Storm Surges During Hurricane Hugo- Trevor Bevens

The Detection of Serene Thunderstorms via the WSR-88D- Mike Ekster


Spring 1999


How Highway Departments Deal with Snow/Ice Removal in a Fast-paced, High-Tech
World-
Michael Abair

Evolution of a Storm: Precipitation to Devastation- Jamie Casto

The Effects of Climatological Fluctuation on New England Major Hurricane Frequency- Eric DeRoche

La Nina, Its Effects and Current Research- Jason Lachance

Internet in the Meteorolgy Classroom: Enhancing Meteorological Education Through
the Use of the World Wide Web-
Brenton MacAloney II

A Survey of Supercell Thunderstorms- David Manning

Avalanche ! The Basics Behind Forecasting the Deadly Slide- Todd Simcox


Spring 1998


500-mb Geopotential Height Errors in the Medium Range Forecast Models.
("Height Errors in Medium-Range Forecast Models")-
Susan Genett

Theories of Charge Separation Within Thunderstorms.
("Orchestrating Lightning: Charge Separation Theories")-
Wesley Olds

Mirages and Associated Atmospheric Conditions.
("Do you see what I see? Mirages and Associated Atmospheric Conditions")-
Patty Jean

DPW Crews and Meteorologists Take on Winter Using the Vaisala Ice Break Model and Various Other Meteorological Data.
("Weatherizing the Roadways")-
Sean Hickey

Out, Damn Pollution! The Formation of Valley Winds and Their Effects on Pollution Dispersion.
("Valley Winds and Their Effect on Pollution Dispersion")-
John Donnelly

Effects of Acidic Wet Deposition on High-Elevation Red Spruce Forests in the Northeastern United States and Southeastern Canada.
("Acidic Deposition in the Northeast")-
Larry Whitworth

("A Qualitative Analysis of El Nino and It’s Effects on the West Coast of North America")- Tony Devito

Tornado Forecasting: Where It’s Been; Where It’s Going.
("Forecasting the Mighty Tornado: A Historical Perspective")-
Scott Gebelein

("Flash Flood Forecasting: An Ingredients Based Approach")- Joseph Brodeur

("Southeastern United States Cold Surges")- Gerry Bielinski

The Role and Significance of Isentropic Potential Vorticity (IPV) and Tropopause Folding in Explosive Cyclogenesis.
("Evaluating Explosive Cyclogenesis Using Isentropic Potential Vorticity (IPV) and Tropopause Folding")-
Dave Kellenbenz

The Hurricane Surface Wind Field, with a Focus on the Landfall Period.
("The Hurricane Surface Wind Field, with a Focus on the Landfall Period ")-
Mike Dutter

Microbursts-Outbursts of Mother Nature Formation and Effects.
("Microbursts-Outbursts of Mother Nature")-
Glenn Gould

The Role of the Atmosphere in Anomalous Radio Wave Propagation.
("Hops, Skips, and Ducts: The Role of the Atmosphere in Anomalous Radio Wave Propagation")-
Bill Vlahos

Oceanic and Coastal Wave Forecasting.
("Come Catch a Ride With Wave Forecasting")-
Darren Austin

("Coastal Flooding: The Human and Structural Effects")- Eric Medeiros

("Forecasting Heavy Snow in Rapidly Intensifying Northeastern Storms")- Steve Labrecque

Agricultural Meteorology: Weather and the Farmer.
("Agrometeorology")-
Jack Stanley


Spring 1997


The Planetary Boundary Layer’s Role in Free-Convection Cumuli.
("Hear Ye, Hear Ye---, Free Convection, Free Convection")-
Mike Cameron

The Role of Ageostrophic Motions Associated With Jet Streaks.
("Streaking Through the Atmosphere")-
Chris Champagne

The Mesoscale’s Role in Dynamic Forcing for Supercell Development.
("Mesoscales Environment in Supercell Development")-
Marcel Lamarre

Satellites and Then Function.
("The EYES in the SKY")-
Leo Hirsbrunner

Winter Cyclogenesis.
("Superstorm of March 12-14, 1993 Forecast and Development of Gulf of Mexico Winter Cyclogenesis")-
Mark McDonough


Spring 1996 (presentation and paper titles same)


The Impact of Computers on Meteorology- Bob Schermerhorn

On the Advantages of Estimating Vorticity and Divergence of the Wind Field Using a Line Integral Scheme- Peter Banacos

Isentropic Analysis as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Tool- Dave Lew

Coastal Frontogenesis: A Mesoscale Analysis- Chris Turner

The Role of Latent Heat Release in Explosive Cyclogenesis- Shane Smith


Spring 1995


Applications of Fractals Dimension Analyses in Meteorology.
(‘Fractals in Meteorology")-
Bill Courtemanche

The Effects of Terrain in Generating Lee Cyclones & Lee Tornadoes- Marc Gasbarro

Aircraft Icing: A Pilot's Peril- Anne Mercer

Human Factors Engineering and Its Application to Meteorological Systems.
("Human Factors in Meteorology")-
Carol Neiderer

Coastal Upwelling off the California Coast and Fogs That are Enhanced to it.
("Coastal Upwelling and California Fog")-
Mike McConnell

The Use of Meteorology in Pre-College Education.
("Weather or Not to Teach Meteorology")-
Allison Penney

The Jupiter Impact.
("When Worlds Collide’)-
Kevin Skarupa

Microbursts and Aircrafts: Effects, Controls and Avoidance.
("Lift-I Need Lift; An Overview of Microbursts & Aircraft Crashes")-
Marc Richard

Site and Climate Analysis-Applications to House Design- Jay Dedominici

Solar Influences on Global Pressure Tendencies.
("Sunspot's Effect on Global Pressure and Its Effect on the Weather")-
Roy Moffitt

Advection Sea Fog in the Bay of Fundy.
("Advection Fog in the Bay of Fundy")-
Bob Robichaud

Human Biometeorology Including a Case Study: Atmospheric Pressure Tendencies and Pain.
("How the Weather Affects You")-
Cindy Fitzgibbon

A Kinematical and Dynamical Approach to Surface Frontogenesis Including Frontal Circulations.
("The Atmospheric Kinematics and Dynamics Leading to Surface Frontogenesis")-
Greg Bloch

Forecasting Interannual Tropical Cyclone Variability.
("Forecasting Interannual Hurricane Variability")-
Louis Lussier


Spring 1994


East Coast Cyclogenesis-The Synoptic Climatology & Classification of the Noreaster.
("Climatology & Classification of Noreasters")-
Stasu Bizzarro

Terraforming Mars Using the Earth as a Model.
("Changing Mars for Life")-
T.J. Del Santo

Extended-Range Forecasting: Historical Aspects & Techniques Used.
("How Long Range Forecasts Are Made")-
Robert Crapulli

El Nino: Its Proposed Teleconnections and Its Effects on the Climate of West Burke, VT.
("El Nino & Its Influence on West Burke")-
Joanne Kraal

Ozone: Friend or Foe?- Glenn Perras

The Effects of Weather on Cranberry Yields in Southeastern Massachusetts.
("The Effects of Weather on Cranberries")-
Pete Cote

Lightning Detection- Cameron Moreland

Forecasting Lake-Effect Snows on the Great Lakes.
("How to Forecast Lake-Effect Snows")-
Mark Schnackenberg

Using Expert Systems to Predict Severe Thunderstorms.
("Forecasting Thunderstorms Using Expert Systems")-
Jim Laurie

Clear-Air Turbulence: A Comprehensive Look at This Small Scale Phenomena.
("Clear-Air Turbulence and the Challenger Disaster")-
Jim Wojcik

Large Scale East Coast Flooding Events: Causes, Prediction and Protection.
("Causes of Large-Scale Northeastern Floods")-
Bill Nelson

Climate Classification: A Background and Development.
("Climate Classification Development")-
Carolyn Mishou

The Rhea-CSU Orographic Model- Ken Knapp

The Theory and Development of the Use of Weather Radar for Precipitation Estimation.
("Precipitation Estimation by Radar")-
Peter McElroy


Fall 1993


Global Warming: Fact or Fiction- Howard Silverman

The Evolution and Structure of the Tornado- Paul Bernier

Modeling Snowmelt Runoff on the Passumpsic River Watershed- Tim Pellett


Spring 1993


Solar Cycle Influences on the Earth’s Atmosphere: Both Accepted and Apparent.
("The Solar Cycle and Its Influence on the Earth's Atmosphere")-
Tim Myers

Long Term Temperature Trends at Blue Hill Observatory- Rick Canepa

Hurricane Storm Surge Forecasting with the SLOSH Model- Michael Dion

Formation of the New England Coastal Front.
("A Weather Phenomenon Common to the New England Coast")-
Matt Luce

The Effect of the Urban Heat Island on Convective Precipitation.
("Major Cities' Effect on Precipitation")-
Jeremy Reiner

The Role of Convection in Extratropical Storms.
("The Effect of Thunderstorms on Mid-Latitude Storm Systems")-
David Riley

Non-Antropogenic Causes for Recent Changes in Temperature.
("Global Warming Caused by Natural Sources")-
Ashley Kells

Large Scale Isentropic Air Flow.
("Unveiling the Three Dimensional Nature of Atmospheric Flow")-
Joseph Iwuc


Spring 1992


Case Study: 22 June 1991 Severe Thunderstorm Norman, Oklahoma.
("Severe Thunderstorms: What do you Need for Their Foundation? A Case Study from Oklahoma")-
Jennifer Winslow

Insights into Hurricane Genesis.-

The Processes Involved in the Formation & Maintenance of a 500 mb Blocking Pattern-

Orographic Modification of Precipitation from Synoptic Systems- Charles Maxwell

Air Stagnation in the Intramountain West and its Effect on Air Pollution- Scott Lajoie

Taku Winds of Juneau, Alaska.
("The Dangerous Taku Winds of Juneau, Alaska")-
Scott McNeil

The ENSO Event and its Effect on North American Flow Patterns- Peter Bouchard

Geometrical Foundation of the Rainbow and the Halo.
("Optical Consideration Associated with the Creation of the Rainbow and the Halo)"-
Lisa Brule

Errors in the NGM: How Understanding Them can Make you a Better Forecaster- Peter Schmid

The Lifecycle of Mid-Latitude Mesoscale Convective Compexes.
("The Synoptic Scale Setting During the Life Cycle of Mesoscale Convective Complexes")-
Jason Nicholls

A New Analysis Tool for Severe Weather-

Satellite Assistance in Monitoring Cyclogenesis.
("Help from Above: Satellite Assistance in Monitoring Cyclogenesis")-
Thomas Hultquist

Ice Fog: Analysis, Impact, Prediction, and Reduction.
("Ice Fog: Impact, Prediction, and Reduction")-
Christopher Jarzynka


1990-91


Operational Forecasting of Severe Thunderstorms in New England- Andrew Cox

The Formation, Structure, and Intensification of Tropical Cyclones with Emphasis on the Inner Core Region- Randy Kuhnel

Designing an Interactive Meteorological Workstation- Steve Green

Chaos and Atmospheric Predictability- Matthew Lazzara

An Operational Perspective on Atmospheric Frontogenesis- Nicholas Morganelli

The Climate Controls of the Urban Heat Island- Stephen Adams

Ocean-Atmosphere Thermal Interaction- Christopher Plonka

Weather on Jupiter: A Comprehensive Survey of the Jovian Atmosphere- Gary Sadowsky

East Coast Cyclogenesis: Development and Maintenance of "The Bomb"- Francis Giannasca

Tornadogenesis in the Supercell Thunderstorm- Kevin Woodworth

The Climate of Connecticut- Michael Parsons

Problems and Considerations in Numerical Weather Prediction- Mike Schramm

Convective Mesoscale Systems and Their Significance in Short-Range Forecasting- Eric Sinsabaugh

In the Fog- Guy Nubar

1989-90

Climate Data for Crown Point, and Piarco, Trinidad- Judy Moses

Oceanic Influence on Global Climate.
("The Ocean's Role as a Climatic Control")-
Arthur Doggett

A Synopsis of the Problems and Techniques of Forecasting and Flying Low Altitude Wind Shear.
("Forecasting & Flying Low-Altitude Wind Shear")-
James Brewster

A Qualitative Look at the Atmospheric Effects of Explosive Volcanic Eruptions.
("Volcanic Eruptions and Their Impact on Climate")-
Robert Trayers

Lightning: Its Production and Your Protection- Julia Gray Stabley

Investigation of the Indian Summer Monsoon- Anthony Petrolito

The Role of Atmospheric Teleconnections in Northern Hemispheric Forecasting During the Winter Months.
("The Role of Atmospheric Teleconnections in Forecasting")-
Todd Patstone

The Transport and Dispersion of Air Pollution- Michael O'Brien

A Qualitative Discussion of Jet Stream Influence on Convective Weather in the Midwestern United States.
("A Qualitative Discussion of Jet Stream Influence on Convective Weather")-
Thomas Warner

Hail and Hailstorms of the United States.
("A Look Inside Hailstorms of the United States")-
Theodore Frank Jamba

A Synoptic and Dynamic Climatology of the Martian Atmosphere.
("Weather on Mars")-
Timothy Nobis

New England Snowfall Normals: 1951-1980- Shawn Deary


1988-89


The Effects of Ozone on the Atmosphere, Human Welfare and Nature and the Meteorological Factors Affecting Ozone Pollution; With an Example from Burlington, VT -Michael Ratte

Future Consequences from the Atmospheric Effect- Ryan Sandler

Human Biometeorology- David Santoro

The Evolution of the Lightning Discharge and the Earth's Electrical Environment- Robert Fenner

East Coast Cyclogenesis from a Synoptic Point of View- Kevin Cadima

Ozone Pollution and Meteorology- Michael Ratte

Drought and the Southeast United States Drought of 1986- Allan Baldassano

On the Nature of the Ocean-Atmospheric System, Waves and Beaches- Antonio Mastrostefano

Fire Weather- Michael York

Mesoscale Convective Complexes, A Qualitative Approach- Roger Cloutier

The El Nino-Southern Oscillation Phenomena and Its Effects on Tropical Cyclones of the Western North Atlantic Basin.
("The ENSO Phenomena & Its Effects on Tropical Cyclones of the Western North Atlantic")-
David Vallee

Lake Effect Snowstorms: Their Causes and Prediction- Robert Carolan

On the Energetics of Cyclones- Robert Cox

Upper-Level Characteristics of East Coast Cyclogenesis- Kevin Cadima


1987-88


Energy Transfer in Perma Frost Regions.
("Permafrost - Energy, Environment, and Man")-
Joseph Goudsward

Boston Sea Breeze.
("A Look at the Boston Sea Breeze Through Analyzation of Three Other Worldwide Sea Breezes")-
Larry Zameret

On the nature of tornadogenesis and a Worcester, Massachusetts tornado on 9 June 1953.
("Tornadogenesis and a Worcester, Massachusetts Tornado Case Study")-
Joe Sirard

The Sea Breeze Circulation With a Climatology of the Sea Breeze at Providence, R.I.
("A Look at a General Sea Breeze with a Specific Example")-
Charles McGill

Severe Thunderstorms: An Operational Viewpoint- Scott Rochette

Persistence Some Statistical Tool and an Application.
("Persistence, i.e., How Long Will It Last")-
John Sliney

Lake Effect Snows.
("Western New York's Lake Snow Events")-
Scott Whittier

Desert Animals and the Saguaro Cactus: How They Adapt to and Survive in the Extreme Climate of the Sonoran Desert- Heidi Ankeles

Mountain Induced Rain and Snow- Chris Gibson

The Destruction of our Earth's Ozone Layer- James Dame, Jr

Doppler Radar.
("An Introduction to Doppler Radar")-
Theodore Champney

Atmospheres of Other Worlds- Charles Harris


1986-87


Severe Convection in the Central United States.

A Comparative Study of Maximum Temperatures.
("Current Research Focusing Upon Maximum Temperature Variability Atop Blue Hill, Massachusetts")-
Jeffrey Osiensky

How the Great New England Blizzard of '78 Came to be.


1985-86


History of Theories of Cyclone Development.

Summary and Critic of Air Pollution Dispersion Models.

Comparison and Analysis of Micro Climates of the Northeast Kingdom- Russ Murley

Dynamics of Lee-Ward Cyclone Development.


Previous Meteorology Papers


Spring 1978: Introduction to Elements of Weather.
("Effects of Carbon Dioxide on Global Temperature")-
Michael Shustak

Spring 1976: Meteorotrophism for Elementary School Science Study Effect of Weather on Man.
("Meteorotrophism")-
Kathleen Ryan

Spring 1976: The Sea Breeze- Tony Mignone

Fall 1985: Revision of the Puceivich Barotropic Model- F. Weir Lundstedt, Scot Heckman

Spring 1981: Orographically Enhanced Snowfall Investigation at Burke Mtn, VT- R. Harris & M. Morano

Fall 1975: Winter Months at St. Johnsbury, VT (January 1895 to March 1975).
("Winter Months at St. Johnsbury, VT")-
Tony Mignone

Spring 1985: Snowpack Profile Analysis on Mt. Washington- Greg Carbin

Fall 1980: Photochemical Ozone- Craig Bergeron

Fall 1979: Electrical Charge Distribution in the Atmosphere- Robert E. Dow

Spring 1984: Cloud to Ground Lightning- Louie Grasso

Spring 1980: The Average Height of New England's Mountains 7 How they May Aid in the Forming of the Coastal Fronts- Steven Nogueira

Fall 1983: A study of Local Temperature Patterns as Influenced by The Urban Heat Island and Topography- Jeffrey DeBarba

Spring 1980: The Study of the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation and Its Relation with Meteorological Parameters- Craig Bergeron

Spring 1981: The Snow Shadow of Vermont and New Hampshire- William Bauman III

Spring 1982: An Analysis of Statistical Errors of NMO's Limited-Area Fine Mesh- Jeffrey Herbek, Kathy Perbeck, Sally Schmies

- - - - - - - - - The Qualitative Discussion of the Characteristics & Theory of Tropical Cyclone Genesis.

- - - - - - - - - The El Nino-southern oscillation phenoma- David Vallee

- - - - - - - - - Variations in tropical cyclone characteristics during ENSO events- David Vallee

- - - - - - - - - Some Meteorological Aspects of Acid Precipitation- Scott Hamilton

- - - - - - - - - Acid Precipitation and Some of its Meteorological Aspects- Kathy Perbeck