Mesoscale Convective Systems

After completing this module, the learner will be able to:

  • Recall the structure and lifecycle of different types of tropical MCSs (tropical squall line, bow echo, mesoscale convective complex, mesoscale convective vortex, and non-squall tropical cluster)
  • Recognize MCSs in satellite and radar imagery
  • List the potential weather hazards most likely associated with each type of MCS
  • Identify key dynamic and thermodynamic environments favorable for each type of MCS, including favorable large-scale environments.
  • Understand similarities and differences between tropical and midlatitude squall lines
  • Describe the geographic climatology of tropical MCSs