The alluvial flood plain of the lower Mississippi Rover is a well-recognized topographic feature covering portions of eastern Arkansas , western Mississippi , and northeastern Louisiana . This valley, while only 40 to 50 meters lower than the surrounding terrain, exhibits a reasonably strong positive correlation between elevation and monthly precipitation totals.
This project will analyze lightning, satellite, radar, and model data in order to better determine the role of the alluvial valley on storm structure and morphology. Atmospheric convective forcing features and flow regimes will also be catalogued in order to better understand the conditions most favorable for topographic influence.