Meso-B-scale characteristics of an episode of meso-a-scale convective complexes.

Abstract

A variety of meso-B-scale (20-200 km, less than 6 h) temporal and spatial characteristics associated with the life-cycle of the meso-a-scale (200-2000 km, more than 6 h) convective complex (MCC) are described. Thunderstorms in the MCC are generally well- organized into meso-B-scale convective features. The larger MCCs are typically preceded by several of these meso-B convective clusters or bands, which tend to be aligned along linear meso-a-scale features such as the eastern slope of the Rockies or thermodynamic discontinuities evident in hourly surface or satellite data. The intense development of these larger systems involves the growth, merger and interaction of those meso-B convective features located nearest the intersection of the meso-a axes along which they are aligned. -from Authors