A mesoscale convective system (MCS) is a complex of thunderstorms that becomes organized on a scale larger than the individual thunderstorms but smaller than extratropical cyclones, and normally persists for several hours or more. A mesoscale convective system's overall cloud and precipitation pattern may be round or linear in shape, and include weather systems such as tropical cyclones, squall lines, lake-effect snow events, polar lows, and Mesoscale Convective Complexes (MCCs), and generally form near weather fronts. The type that forms during the warm season over land has been noted across North America, Europe, and Asia, with a maximum in activity noted during the late afternoon and evening hours.
Depend how strong was its forcing mechanisms. Midlatitude MCSs are usually influenced by synoptic forcing like fronts, In this case, there was a cold front in France that may be influenced the formation of this MCSs
Yes, there was a widespread cold front. Also, I observed a circulation similar to Bow Echo. Also, the increased values of ML-CAPE and Lifted Index supported the formation of the system and triggered the intensification and its trajectory.
Do you have wind shear data? Not only CAPE is important but also wind shear. At least bulk shear. Do you have radar images? I would like to see the bow echo.
Was the Tehran dust storm in 2 June (that killed 5 people) a MCS like this? We had a cold front and wind speed as 30 m/s. Was the Tehran dust storm predictable? No ML cape existed in skew-T before the storm.
I do not know Mohammad because I do not have enough information, but may be it was a dry microburst, downburst or derecho, which occurr in arid climates.
Thank you, but I know it is not microburst or ... Because it was mesoscale and There was no deep Cb. Can I send a power point file containing additional information for your email?
You may want to check out the forecast archive of ESTOFEX (http://www.estofex.org). On June 9th an exceptional situation was forecast (threat level 3, the highest) because of an unusually high energy environment (CAPE) and strong vertical wind shear. Note that CAPE is increased by the presence of steep low to mid level lapse rates (the Saharan Air Layer is the main source of this in Europe) and the presence of rich absolute moisture content in the boundary layer.
Radar image from the X-band radar in Bonn:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bpr5NG_IAAAJj0S.jpg:large
Very nice radar image. It shows a classic supercell structure with hook echo (this is not an MCS). But there were several similar storms. If George could be more specific about the time of day and location also the answer can be more specific. Severe weather reports are collected in the European Severe Weather Database maintained by the European Severe Storms Laboratory: http://www.eswd.eu
Very exciting radar image Raquel ! I send an image with severe events before and after the storm on June 9. Also, you can see a video about the supercell in Bonn.
http://vimeo.com/98002404
The MCS passed over West-Germany in the evening. The radar picture of Raquel is taken at about 12:00h UTC. Most damage and casualties were associated with the convection in the evening. The satellite image below suggests that it is a Mesoscale Convective Complex. There is an extensive analysis at http://www.wettergefahren-fruehwarnung.de/Ereignis/20140610_e.html, but it is in German. I could translate the relevant parts for you if you want it.
http://www.wettergefahren-fruehwarnung.de/Karten2014/20140610sat500.gif
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