Balanced Dynamics of Mesoscale Vortices Produced in Simulated Convective Systems

Abstract

Abstract Long-lived, mesoscale convective systems are known to occasionally produce mesoscale convective vortices (MCVs) in the lower to middle troposphere with horizontal scales averaging 100–200 km. The formation of MCVs is investigated using fully three-dimensional cloud model simulations of idealized, mesoscale convective systems (MCSs), initialized with a finite length line of unstable perturbations. In agreement with observations, the authors find that environmental conditions favoring MCV formation exhibit weak vertical shear confined to roughly the lowest 3 km, provided the Coriolis parameter (f) is chosen appropriate for midlatitudes. With f = 0, counterrotating vortices form on the line ends, positive to the north and negative to the south with westerly environmental shear. The MCV and end vortices are synonymous with anomalies of potential vorticity (PV). Using PV inversion techniques, the authors show that the vortices are nearly balanced, even with f = 0. However, the formation of mesoscale v...