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Understanding Mesoscale Convective Systems - A Comprehensive Overview

Explore the definition, types, evolution, and impacts of Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCSs), including squall lines, bow echoes, and Mesoscale Convective Complexes (MCCs) worldwide. Learn about shear importance and vorticity interactions in MCS development.

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Understanding Mesoscale Convective Systems - A Comprehensive Overview

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  1. Mesoscale Convective Systems

  2. Definition Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) refer to all organized convective systems larger than supercells Some classic convective system types include: squall lines, bow echoes, and mesoscale convective complexes (MCCs)

  3. Definition MCSs occur worldwide and year-round In addition to the severe weather produced by any given cell within the MCS, the systems can generate large areas of heavy rain and/or damaging winds

  4. Mid-latitude Squall Lines A squall line is any line of convective cells. It may be a few tens of km long or 1000 km long (>500 nm); there is no strict size definition

  5. Mid-latitude Squall Lines Generally mod - strong vertical wind shear in lowest 2.5km perpendicular to the gust front. Can be self-sustaining. Most likely severe weather  wind gusts. Heavy rain is possible.

  6. Initial Organization squall lines may either be triggered as a line, or organize into a line from a cluster of cells

  7. Importance of shear For a given CAPE, the strength and longevity of a squall line increases with increasing depth and strength of the vertical wind shear For midlatitude environments we can classify Sfc. to 2-3 km AGL shear strengths as weak <10 m/s, mod 10-18 m/s, & strong >18 m/s In general, the higher the LFC, the more low-level shear is required for a system’s cold pool to continue initiating convection

  8. Which Shear Matters? It is the component of low-level vertical wind shear perpendicular to the line that is most critical for controlling squall line structure and evolution

  9. Interactions of Vorticity Regions Matching vorticity regions of opposite sense

  10. Interactions of Vorticity Regions Non-matching vorticity regions of opposite sense

  11. - - + + + Sources of horizontal vorticity 1. Updraft 2. Vertical Shear 3. Cold Pool

  12. - + + Vorticity interaction #1: updraft tilt Matching updraft + shear + + =

  13. Vorticity interaction #1: updraft tilt Strong updraft + weak shear + =

  14. Vorticity interaction #1: updraft tilt Weak updraft + strong shear = +

  15. Updraft Tilt

  16. Vorticity interaction #2: cold pool lift Strong cold pool + weak shear = +

  17. Vorticity interaction #2: cold pool tilt Weak cold pool + strong shear = +

  18. Vorticity interaction #2: cold pool lift Matching cold pool + shear LFC = +

  19. Cold pool

  20. Squall line motion is controlled by the speed of the system cold pool

  21. Squall Line Motion Segment of a long squall line A short squall line

  22. Classic Evolution (with weak shear) The characteristic squall line life cycle is to evolve from a narrow band of intense convective cells to a broader, weaker system over time

  23. Classic Evolution (with strong shear) Stronger shear environments produce stronger long-lived lines composed of strong leading line convective cells and even bow echoes

  24. The Rear-Inflow Jet (RIJ)

  25. Interactions of Vorticity Regions Non-matching vorticity regions of opposite sense

  26. The Rear-Inflow Jet (RIJ)

  27. Squall Lines

  28. Bow Echoes Bow echoes are forward bulges in a line. Severe downbursts are often associated with the forward edge of a bow echo.

  29. Bow Echo Evolution

  30. Reasons for Bow Echoes Intensity

  31. Bow Echoesand Bookend Vortices

  32. Mesoscale Convective Complexes long lived “blob” shaped, or round several convective cells under one cloud shield. MCCs usually form in regions with Deep moisture Good low level inflow Weak upper level flow MCCs typically peak overnight or early morning.

  33. Mesoscale Convective Complexes MCCs are sustained by a mid-level meso-scale low. At upper levels there will be anti-cyclonic outflow. The downdrafts and cooling below the MCC induce a meso-scale high pressure system. MCCs may be described as warm cored structures.

  34. Mesoscale Convective Complexes The deep moisture and weak upper level flow, combined with a long life time means that heavy rain and flash flooding is a threat. The rainfall will be typified by intense falls within a longer period of light to moderate rainfall.

  35. MCS Summary MCS structure and evolution depend on the characteristics of the environment The strength and the degree of organization increases with shear The most significant unifying agent for boundary-layer-based MCSs is the surface cold pool Long lived  Coriolis effect plays a role

  36. Conservation of angular momentum

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