Midlatitude Mesoscale Convective Systems

中尺度对流系统（MCS）由雷暴的集合组成，这些雷暴组织成不同的模式。MCS已被证明是有益的春季降雨和恶劣天气的来源。在先前研究的基础上，首席研究员将继续研究提高对中纬度mcs的理解，重点是它们的组织、寿命、嵌入的中尺度环流（特别是中尺度对流涡旋）以及与大气边界层的耦合。首席研究员有两个目标：1。探讨中纬度MCS的组织、生长、维持和消散机制。对中压系统进行气候学研究，研究中压系统如何启动对流，使中压系统再生或维持。MCV是中层的、稳定的、弱的漩涡，似乎是由MCS的残余形成的。它们被认为是重要的，因为它们经常在原始MCS消亡后许多小时出现新对流的起源。也就是说，在MCS消散后，它们似乎会产生弱MCV，这可能是第二天一轮MCS的触发因素。如果是这样的话，对这些现象的全面了解就有望提高雷暴的可预测性。

Mesoscale convective systems (MCS's) consist of a collection of thunderstorms that organize themselves into distinct patterns. MCS's have been shown to be the source of both beneficial Spring-time rainfall and severe weather. Building on previous research, the Principal Investigator will continue research directed towards improved understanding of mid-latitude MCSs with a focus on their organization, longevity, embedded mesoscale circulations (especially mesoscale convective vortices, MCV's) and coupling with the atmospheric boundary layer. The Principal Investigator has two objectives:1. To investigate the mechanisms for organization, growth, maintenance and dissipation of mid-latitude MCS's.2. To conduct a climatological study of MCV's and to study how MCV's initiate convection that regenerates or sustains MCS's.MCV's are mid-level, stable, weak vortices that appear to form from the remnants of MCS's. They are believed to be important for they often appear to be the source of initiation of new convection many hours after the demise of the original MCS. That is, after MCS's have dissipated, they appear to spawn weak MCV's which may be the trigger for the next day's round of MCS's. If so, a complete understanding of these phenomena holds the promise of improved predictability of thunderstorms.