Satellite and Radar Survey of Mesoscale Convective System Development

Abstract

(PEGSs),. Definitions, basic characteristics, and examples are provided for each. In addition, the development of each of the systems was analyzed using 2-km national composite radar reflectivity data. A three-level classification process describing MCS development is identified. These levels include determining the presence of stratiform precipitation, arrangement of convective cells, and interaction of convective clusters. Each level of the classification process is described and compared in detail, along with examples.The environment in which each MCS developed was determined from the standard National V\Teather Service upper-air network. Additionally, the severe weather iii reports were logged for each system. The findings of these data are discussed in context of the present classification schemes. Furthermore, composite analyses of the satellite lifecycle and precipitation lifecycle are presented.

Numerical simulation of a mesoscale convective system over the east coast of South Africa

“…This supports the findings of Laing and Fritsch (1997) who noted that MCCs with large cold cloud shields usually last longer than those with small shields. The general definition of MCS require them to have a duration longer that 3 hours, but the larger MCCs usually last around 10-13 hours from storm initiation to the time they shrink to below the minimum MCC size criteria Millar and Fritsch, 1991;Laing and Fritsch 1997;Jirak et al 2003, Ashley et al 2003.…”

Lagrangian Cloud Tracking and the Precipitation-Column Humidity Relationship

“…It is obvious from everyday experience that many clouds do not follow a simple, scripted lifecycle. Many isolated clouds are the result of splits from larger clouds or the merger of two smaller clouds at some previous time [28][29][30][31]. These types of complex evolutions lack a sufficient conceptual place within the standard evolutionary pathway.…”

Environment and Early Evolution of the 8 May 2009 Derecho-Producing Convective System

“…The 8 May 2009 system developed in a way that is common for MCSs: convective initiation occurs along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and storms move eastward and consolidate in regions of lower-tropospheric warm advection, convergence, and conditional instability, all of which are enhanced by a nocturnal low-level jet (LLJ) (Blackadar 1957;Bonner 1968;McNider and Pielke 1981;Cotton et al 1989;Laing and Fritsch 2000;Tuttle and Davis 2006). The development of a large, intense MCS resulted from a complex series of processes and mergers of several convective lines and clusters over a relatively short time period, which is also common for warm season MCSs (McAnelly et al 1997;Jirak and Cotton 2003).…”