Surface Pressure and Precipitation Life Cycle Characteristics of PRE-STORM Mesoscale Convective Systems

1995 ◽  
Vol 123 (3) ◽  
pp. 600-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scot M. Loehrer ◽  
Richard H. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Surface Pressure ◽  
Mesoscale Convective Systems ◽  
Convective Systems ◽  
Mesoscale Convective

Life cycle of mesoscale convective systems

2009 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 285-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Abdullaev ◽  
A. A. Zhelnin ◽  
O. Yu. Lenskaya
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Mesoscale Convective Systems ◽  
Convective Systems ◽  
Mesoscale Convective

scholarly journals Elucidating the Life Cycle of Warm-Season Mesoscale Convective Systems in Eastern China from the Himawari-8 Geostationary Satellite

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (14) ◽  
pp. 2307
Author(s):  
Dandan Chen ◽  
Jianping Guo ◽  
Dan Yao ◽  
Zhe Feng ◽  
Yanluan Lin
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Eastern China ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Geostationary Satellite ◽  
Mesoscale Convective Systems ◽  
Convective Systems ◽  
Mesoscale Convective

The life cycle of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) in eastern China is yet to be fully understood, mainly due to the lack of observations of high spatio-temporal resolution and objective methods. Here, we quantitatively analyze the properties of warm-season (from April to September of 2016) MCSs during their lifetimes using the Himawari-8 geostationary satellite, combined with ground-based radars and gauge measurements. Generally, the occurrence of satellite derived MCSs has a noon peak over the land and an early morning peak over the ocean, which is several hours earlier than the precipitation peak. The developing and dissipative stages are significantly longer as total durations of MCSs increase. Aided by three-dimensional radar mosaics, we find the fraction of convective cores over northern China is much lower when compared with those in central United States, indicating that the precipitation produced by broad stratiform clouds may be more important for northern China. When there exists a large amount of stratiform precipitation, it releases a large amount of latent heat and promotes the large-scale circulations, which favors the maintenance of MCSs. These findings provide quantitative results about the life cycle of warm-season MCSs in eastern China based on multiple data sources and large numbers of samples.

scholarly journals Macrophysical, Microphysical, and Radiative Properties of Tropical Mesoscale Convective Systems over Their Life Cycle

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (9) ◽  
pp. 3353-3371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominique Bouniol ◽  
Rémy Roca ◽  
Thomas Fiolleau ◽  
D. Emmanuel Poan
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Radiative Heating ◽  
Radiative Properties ◽  
Mesoscale Convective Systems ◽  
Cloud Base ◽  
Convective Systems ◽  
Mesoscale Convective ◽  
Polar Orbiting Satellite ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) are important drivers of the atmospheric large-scale circulation through their associated diabatic heating profile. Taking advantage of recent tracking techniques, this study investigates the evolution of macrophysical, microphysical, and radiative properties over the MCS life cycle by merging geostationary and polar-orbiting satellite data. These observations are performed in three major convective areas: continental West Africa, the adjacent Atlantic Ocean, and the open Indian Ocean. MCS properties are also investigated according to internal subregions (convective, stratiform, and nonprecipitating anvil). Continental MCSs show a specific life cycle, with more intense convection at the beginning. Larger and denser hydrometeors are thus found at higher altitudes, as well as up to the cirriform subregion. Oceanic MCSs have more constant reflectivity values, suggesting a less intense convective updraft, but more persistent intensity. A layer of small crystals is found in all subregions, but with a depth that varies according to the MCS subregion and life cycle. Radiative properties are also examined. It appears that the evolution of large and dense hydrometeors tends to control the evolution of the cloud albedo and the outgoing longwave radiation. The impact of dense hydrometeors, detrained from the convective towers, is also seen in the radiative heating profiles, in particular in the shortwave domain. A dipole of cooling near the cloud top and heating near the cloud base is found in the longwave; this cooling intensifies near the end of the life cycle.

scholarly journals A Simple Model of the Life Cycle of Mesoscale Convective Systems Cloud Shield in the Tropics

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 4283-4298 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Roca ◽  
T. Fiolleau ◽  
D. Bouniol
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Simple Model ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Mesoscale Convective Systems ◽  
Boreal Summer ◽  
Maximum Extent ◽  
Convective Systems ◽  
Mesoscale Convective ◽  
The Tropics

Abstract Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) are important to the water and energy budget of the tropical climate and are essential ingredients of the tropical circulation. MCSs are readily observed in satellite infrared geostationary imagery as cloud clusters that evolve in time from small structures to well-organized large patches of cloud shield before dissipating. The MCS cloud shield is the result of a large ensemble of mesoscale dynamical, thermodynamical, and microphysical processes. This study shows that a simple parametric model can summarize the time evolution of the morphological characteristics of the cloud shield during the life cycle of the MCS. It consists of a growth–decay linear model of the cloud shield and is based on three parameters: the time of maximum extent, the maximum extent, and the duration of the MCS. It is shown that the time of maximum is frequently close to the middle of the life cycle and that the correlation between maximum extent and duration is strong all over the tropics. This suggests that 1 degree of freedom is left to summarize the life cycle of the MCS cloud shield. Such a model fits the observed MCS equally well, independent of the duration, size, location, and propagation characteristics, and its relevance is assessed for a large number of MCSs over three boreal summer periods over the whole tropical belt. The scaling of this simple model exhibits weak (strong) regional variability for the short- (long-) lived systems indicative of the primary importance of the internal dynamics of the systems to the large-scale environment for MCS sustainability.

scholarly journals Basis for a Rainfall Estimation Technique Using IR–VIS Cloud Classification and Parameters over the Life Cycle of Mesoscale Convective Systems

2008 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1500-1517 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Delgado ◽  
Luiz A. T. Machado ◽  
Carlos F. Angelis ◽  
Marcus J. Bottino ◽  
Á. Redaño ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Empirical Relationship ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission ◽  
Rainfall Rate ◽  
Mesoscale Convective Systems ◽  
Rainfall Estimation ◽  
Convective Systems ◽  
Cloud Classification ◽  
Mesoscale Convective

Abstract This paper discusses the basis for a new rainfall estimation method using geostationary infrared and visible data. The precipitation radar on board the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite is used to train the algorithm presented (which is the basis of the estimation method) and the further intercomparison. The algorithm uses daily Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite infrared–visible (IR–VIS) cloud classifications together with radiative and evolution properties of clouds over the life cycle of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) in different brightness temperature (Tb) ranges. Despite recognition of the importance of the relationship between the life cycle of MCSs and the rainfall rate they produce, this relationship has not previously been quantified precisely. An empirical relationship is found between the characteristics that describe the MCSs’ life cycle and the magnitude of rainfall rate they produce. Numerous earlier studies focus on this subject using cloud-patch or pixel-based techniques; this work combines the two techniques. The algorithm performs reasonably well in the case of convective systems and also for stratiform clouds, although it tends to overestimate rainfall rates. Despite only using satellite information to initialize the algorithm, satisfactory results were obtained relative to the hydroestimator technique, which in addition to the IR information uses extra satellite data such as moisture and orographic corrections. This shows that the use of IR–VIS cloud classification and MCS properties provides a robust basis for creating a future estimation method incorporating humidity Eta field outputs for a moisture correction, digital elevation models combined with low-level moisture advection for an orographic correction, and a nighttime cloud classification.

scholarly journals Mesoscale Convective Systems in Relation to African and Tropical Easterly Jets

2014 ◽  
Vol 142 (9) ◽  
pp. 3224-3242 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Besson ◽  
Y. Lemaître
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Mesoscale Convective Systems ◽  
Convective Systems ◽  
African Easterly Jet ◽  
Interaction Processes ◽  
Tropical Easterly Jet ◽  
Mesoscale Convective ◽  
Jet Streaks

This paper documents the interaction processes between mesoscale convective systems (MCS), the tropical easterly jet (TEJ), and the African easterly jet (AEJ) over West Africa during the monsoon peak of 2006 observed during the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses (AMMA) project. The results highlight the importance of the cloud system localization relative to the jets in order to explain their duration and life cycle. A systematical study reveals that intense and long-lived MCSs correspond to a particular pattern where clouds associated with deep convection are located in entrance regions of TEJ and in exit regions of AEJ. A case study on a particularly well-documented convective event characterizes this link and infers the importance of jet streaks in promoting areas of divergence, favoring the persistence of MCSs.

A Lagrangian perspective on cold pool collisions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Torri ◽  
Zhiming Kuang
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Mesoscale Convective Systems ◽  
Cold Pool ◽  
Convective Systems ◽  
Cold Pools ◽  
Mesoscale Convective ◽  
Temporal And Spatial ◽  
Convective Cells

<p>Collisions represent one of the most important processes through which cold pools—essential boundary layer features of precipitating systems—help to organize convection. For example, by colliding with one another, expanding cold pools can trigger new convective cells, a process that has been argued to be important to explain the deepening of convection and the maintenance of mesoscale convective systems for many hours. In spite of their role, collisions are an understudied process, and many aspects remain to be fully clarified. In order to quantify the importance of collisions on the life cycle of cold pools, we will present some results based on a combination of numerical simulations in radiative-convective equilibrium and a Lagrangian cold pool tracking algorithm. First, we will discuss how the Lagrangian algorithm can be used to estimate that the median time of the first collision for the simulated cold pools is under 10 minutes. We will then show that cold pools are significantly deformed by collisions and lose their circular shape already at the very early stages of their life cycle. Finally, we will present results suggesting that cold pools appear to be clustered, and we will provide some estimates of the associated temporal and spatial scales.</p>

scholarly journals Radar-Observed Bulk Microphysics of Midlatitude Leading-Line Trailing-Stratiform Mesoscale Convective Systems

2018 ◽  
Vol 57 (10) ◽  
pp. 2231-2248
Author(s):  
Shawn L. Handler ◽  
Cameron R. Homeyer
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Convective Available Potential Energy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mesoscale Convective Systems ◽  
Dual Polarization ◽  
Convective Systems ◽  
Shallow Layer ◽  
Specific Subset ◽  
Mesoscale Convective ◽  
The Vertical Distribution

AbstractIn 2013, all NEXRAD WSR-88D units in the United States were upgraded to dual polarization. Dual polarization allows for the identification of precipitation particle shape, size, orientation, and concentration. In this study, dual-polarization NEXRAD observations from 34 recent events are used to identify the bulk microphysical characteristics of a specific subset of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs), the leading-line trailing-stratiform (LLTS) MCS. NEXRAD observations are used to examine hydrometeor distributions in relative altitude to the 0°C level and as a function of storm life cycle, precipitation source (convective or stratiform), and storm environment. The analysis reveals that graupel particles are the most frequently classified hydrometeor class in a layer extending from the 0°C-level altitude to approximately 5 km above within the convective region. Below the 0°C level, rain is the most frequently classified hydrometeor, with small hail and graupel concentrations present throughout the LLTS system’s life cycle. The stratiform precipitation region contains small graupel concentrations in a shallow layer above the 0°C level, with pristine ice crystals being classified as the most frequently observed hydrometeor at higher altitudes and snow aggregates being classified as the most frequently observed hydrometeor at lower altitudes above the environmental 0°C level. Variations in most unstable convective available potential energy (MUCAPE) have the largest impact on the vertical distribution of hydrometeors, because more-unstable environments are characterized by a greater production of rimed ice.

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