ESS5
Prof.
Jin-Yi Yu
Mesoscale Convective Systems
qClusters of severe
thunderstorms are called mesoscale convective systems (MCSs).
q MCSs occur as squall lines, or as circular
clusters called mesoscale
convective complex’s (MCCs).
qIndividual storms
develop in concert in a situation which propagates additional thunderstorms.
qMany MCSs have life
spans from up to 12 hrs to several days.
qSevere thunderstorms
may also form from individual supercells which contain only one updraft (supercells may also be a part of an MCS).