Post on 03-Feb-2016
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Mesoscale Convective Vortices (MCVs) Observed During the Bow-Echo and MCV Experiment (BAMEX) 2003
Part I: Kinematic and Thermodynamic Structure (Davis and Trier 2007, Mon. Wea. Rev.)
Part II: Influences on Secondary Deep Convection (Trier and Davis 2007, Mon. Wea. Rev.)
Related Papers:
Stanley B. Trier and Christopher A. Davis
NCAR, Boulder, Colorado USA
Raymond and Jiang (JAS 1990) Conceptual Model of Isentropic Lifting within a Steady Balanced Vortex (e.g., MCV)
1) Brief Overview of Methodology
2) Mesoscale Vertical Motions within the MCV Environment
3) MCV Influences on Secondary Convection
(a) Thermodynamic Influences
(b) Vertical Shear Influences
4) Conclusions
(a) Kinematic
(b) Steady, Isentropic
Contents:
Analysis Method
• Dropsonde, profiler and MGLASS data composited to common reference time (constant MCV motion assumed)
• Kinematic (full) calculated from upward integrated divergence along triangles• Steady, isentropic also calculated using triangles (requires thermodynamic data)
• Restrictions on minimum angle, triangle area
• Overlapping triangles used to assess “confidence” ()
•25-km analysis grid
Average Kinematic Profiles by Sector (Downshear, Upshear)
IOP 5 Omega Vertical Velocity (b/s)
800-hPa Kinematic / 600-hPa Relative Winds 800-hPa Isentropic / 600-hPa Relative Winds
Localized CAPE, Moderate Vortex, Strong Shear (Strong Vortex Tilt)
IOP 5 Omega Vertical Velocity (b/s)
750-hPa Kinematic / 600-hPa Relative Winds 750-hPa Isentropic / 600-hPa Relative Winds
Widespread CAPE, Weak Vortex, Moderate Shear
IOP 1 Omega Vertical Velocity (b/s)
800-hPa Kinematic / 600-hPa Relative Winds 800-hPa Isentropic / 800-hPa Relative Winds
No CAPE, Moderate Vortex, Strong Shear
IOP 4 Omega Vertical Velocity (b/s)
800-hPa Kinematic / 600-hPa Relative Winds 800-hPa Isentropic / 800-hPa Relative Winds
No CAPE, Moderate Vortex, Strong Shear (Large-scale Influence)
IOP 8 Omega Vertical Velocity (b/s)
800-hPa Kinematic / 600-hPa Relative Winds 800-hPa Isentropic / 600-hPa Relative Winds
Widespread CAPE (E-SE), Strong Vortex, Weak Shear
PBL Equivalent Potential Temperature (High, Low), Ground Relative Winds, and 600-mb MCV Center (x)
IOP 5
IOP 15
IOP 8
Variability of Thermodynamic Vertical Profiles Across MCV in Secondary Convection Cases
IOP 5 IOP 15Moderate vortex instrong vertical shear
Weak vortex inmoderate
vertical shear
Average Surface to 3.5-km AGL Vertical Shear in Different MCV Sectors
Sectors to the Right (Solid) and Left (Hollow) of Downshear Downshear (Solid) and Upshear (Hollow) Sectors
Conclusions
• Heaviest precipitation downshear, upshear typically precipitation free
Significant secondary convection in 3 of 5 cases
Conclusions
• Heaviest precipitation downshear, upshear typically precipitation free
Significant secondary convection in 3 of 5 cases
• Vertical motion influenced by environmental vertical shear and MCV strength
U/VT >= 1 (IOPs 5 and 15) Mesoscale vertical motion dipole
U/VT < 1 (IOP 8) Far more complicated vertical motion pattern
Conclusions
• Heaviest precipitation downshear, upshear typically precipitation free
Significant secondary convection in 3 of 5 cases
• Vertical motion influenced by environmental vertical shear and MCV strength
U/VT >= 1 (IOPs 5 and 15) Mesoscale vertical motion dipole
U/VT < 1 (IOP 8) Far more complicated vertical motion pattern
• Large variations in thermodynamic vertical structure across the MCVs
MCV-induced vertical motions and horizontal advection influence conditional instability
Downshear destabilization
Upshear stabilization
Conclusions
• Heaviest precipitation downshear, upshear typically precipitation free
Significant secondary convection in 3 of 5 cases
• Vertical motion influenced by environmental vertical shear and MCV strength
U/VT >= 1 (IOPs 5 and 15) Mesoscale vertical motion dipole
U/VT < 1 (IOP 8) Far more complicated vertical motion pattern
• Large variations in thermodynamic vertical structure across the MCVs
MCV-induced vertical motions and horizontal advection influence conditional instability
Downshear destabilization
Upshear stabilization
• MCVs can significantly modify vertical shear
Shear typically enhanced over that of environment (most dramatic SE of MCV center)
Conclusions
• Heaviest precipitation downshear, upshear typically precipitation free
Significant secondary convection in 3 of 5 cases
• Vertical motion influenced by environmental vertical shear and MCV strength
U/VT >= 1 (IOPs 5 and 15) Mesoscale vertical motion dipole
U/VT < 1 (IOP 8) Far more complicated vertical motion pattern
• Large variations in thermodynamic vertical structure across the MCVs
MCV-induced vertical motions and horizontal advection influence conditional instability
Downshear destabilization
Upshear stabilization
• MCVs can significantly modify vertical shear
Shear typically enhanced over that of environment (most dramatic SE of MCV center)
• Limitations of this analysis
Unable to follow evolution (inferences consistent with previous modeling studies)
Only daytime MCV cases sampled (secondary convection results may lack generality)
Average ’Profiles by Sector (Downshear, Upshear)