CUMULONIMBUS (Cb) AND MESOSCALE CONVECTIVE SYSTEM (MCS) - WEATHER EVENTS

by ZAMG

Parameter Description

Precipitation

Heavy rain showers.
Thunderstorms, frequently with hail showers.

Temperature

Remarkable drop possible in connection with downdrafts.

Wind (incl. gusts)

The area around the MCS is characterized by a pronounced squall line caused by the outflow of the downdraft.
Severe wind gusts and downbursts, even small tornadoes possible.

Other relevant information

The most intense weather activities within the mature stage of development: in the case of a multi-cell storm, in the centre of the convective complex.
During the dissipating stage the rain showers become light to moderate. No further thunderstorm activity.

	05 June 1998/15.00 UTC - Meteosat IR image; weather events (green: rain and showers, blue: drizzle, cyan: snow, purple: freezing rain, red: thunderstorm with precipitation, orange: hail, black: no actual precipitation or thunderstorm with precipitation)

The image shows a large area where thunderstorms are reported within the area of an MCSs over Austria (approximately 46N/13E) and south Germany (approximately 47N/12E).

05 June 1998/18.00 UTC - Meteosat IR image; sferics data

The image shows much lightning activity within the area of an MCS. The active lightning part of the MCS (yellow symbols are the latest measurements) can be found in the centre of the system (mother cell) (compare meteorological physical background).

SUB-MENU OF CUMULONIMBUS (Cb) AND MESOSCALE CONVECTIVE SYSTEM (MCS)

TYPICAL APPEARANCE IN VERTICAL CROSS SECTIONS

REFERENCES

Parameter	Description
Precipitation	Heavy rain showers. Thunderstorms, frequently with hail showers.
Temperature	Remarkable drop possible in connection with downdrafts.
Wind (incl. gusts)	The area around the MCS is characterized by a pronounced squall line caused by the outflow of the downdraft. Severe wind gusts and downbursts, even small tornadoes possible.
Other relevant information	The most intense weather activities within the mature stage of development: in the case of a multi-cell storm, in the centre of the convective complex. During the dissipating stage the rain showers become light to moderate. No further thunderstorm activity.