Evolution of Upper Tropospheric Features during the Development of a Mesoscale Convective Complex

Abstract

An intense mesoscale convective complex developed over the central Mississippi Valley during the night and early morning hours of 24 and 25 April 1975. Analyses of upper tropospheric features during this period indicate strong changes in temperature, wind and pressure-surface heights occurred over the convective system in a period of only 6 h. It is hypothesized that the convective system is responsible for these changes. The question of whether the diagnosed changes reflect a natural evolution of large-scale meteorological fields or are a result of widespread deep convection is considered utilizing two separate numerical forecasts produced by the Drexel-NCAR mesoscale primitive equation model. A ?dry? forecast, in which no convective clouds are permitted, is considered representative of the evolution of the large-scale environment. This forecast is contrasted with a ?moist? forecast which, through the use of a one-dimensional, sequential plume cumulus model, includes the effects of deep convection. Differences between the forecasts are substantial and the perturbations produced by the convection are quite similar to diagnosed features. The numerical results support the contention that mososcale, convectively driven circulations associated with large thunderstorm complexes can significantly alter upper tropospheric environmental conditions.