Precipitation Structure of Mesoscale Convective Systems

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Collections of thunderstorm cells which organize themselves into stable patterns for periods of several hours or more are termed Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCS). MCSs typically affect multi-state areas and bring beneficial rain as well as most springtime severe weather (e.g. tornadoes, flash floods, hail). A major focus of the meteorological community is to improve our understanding of MCSs. The Principal Investigator will use conventional and Doppler radar data, upper air soundings and surface measurements to investigate the alterations an MCS undergoes as it changes between different structural configurations. A second goal is to study the relationship between the structure of an MCS and its precipitation characteristics. Finally, the P.I. will complete a study of tropical convective systems, including their similarities and differences with midlatitude systems. Case studies for this research will come from the NSF sponsored Preliminary Regional Experiment for STORM-Central (STORM stands for STormscale Operational and Research Meteorology) and the Global Atmospheric Research Program's Atlantic Tropical Experiment and Winter Monsoon Experiment.