Mesoscale and severe storm meteorology

Abstract

The past four years have witnessed substantial research on mesoscale and severe thunderstorm phenomena. The reasons for rapidly expanding activities in both areas are quite clear. Severe thunderstorms and intense mesoscale weather phenomena account for much of the dangerous and economically disruptive weather that occurs in the United States each year [for example, recent severe, tornadic, and damaging weather events are documented in Ferguson et al., 1983, 1985, and 1986; Rogers et al., 1983 and 1985]. Further, rapid advancements in technology indicate that increasing amounts of information on mesoscale phenomena will steadily become available for study.