Mesoscale convective systems (MCS) are long-lived clusters of thunderstorms that are generally 60 miles or more in diameter. Developing along a stationary front, they move slowly, producing strong winds, frequent lightning and heavy rain.
Early this morning, such a system had formed in northwest Missouri and has been moving southeast along a front that separates hot air to its southwest from cooler air to its northeast. Strong winds along the leading edge of the MCS arrived in Columbia just before 8 AM and heavy rain has begun as I write this post; so far, lightning has been limited in our region. A second mesoscale convective system is far to our southeast (in northern Alabama), riding along the same stationary front.
At times, a mesoscale convective vortex develops within these systems, producing rotation and a possible tornado. If near the coast, the vortex and its surrounding thunderstorms may evolve into a tropical storm or hurricane as the system moves over warm ocean water. Finally, when the initial convection "dies" over land, the residual vortex may become the nidus for another MCS.
Early this morning, such a system had formed in northwest Missouri and has been moving southeast along a front that separates hot air to its southwest from cooler air to its northeast. Strong winds along the leading edge of the MCS arrived in Columbia just before 8 AM and heavy rain has begun as I write this post; so far, lightning has been limited in our region. A second mesoscale convective system is far to our southeast (in northern Alabama), riding along the same stationary front.
At times, a mesoscale convective vortex develops within these systems, producing rotation and a possible tornado. If near the coast, the vortex and its surrounding thunderstorms may evolve into a tropical storm or hurricane as the system moves over warm ocean water. Finally, when the initial convection "dies" over land, the residual vortex may become the nidus for another MCS.
