The Bow Echo and Mesoscale Convective Vortex Experiment (BAMEX) will be conducted between 20 May and 6 July 2003. The primary BAMEX research objectives include advancing our understanding of the kinematics, thermodynamics and dynamics of bow echoes, linear MCS’s, and mesoscale convective vortices. Airborne platforms include the NRL P-3 with the NCAR ELDORA radar, the NOAA P-3, and a high-altitude jet for dropsondes. Ground-Based Observational Systems (GBOS) consist of two NCAR M-GLASS units, the UAH Mobile Integrated Profiling System (MIPS) and one mobile surface measurement vehicle. The MIPS components include a 915 MHz wind profiler, a Doppler sodar, a lidar ceilometer, a 12 channel microwave profiling radiometer, an NCAR GLASS, an electric field mill, a disdrometer, and surface instrumentation.

The paper will consist of three main components. First, a summary of the BAMEX objectives and the GBOS experimental design, relevant to bow echoes, will be provided. Second, we will summarize MIPS observations and radar characteristics of all bow echo and MCS events observed during BAMEX. Finally, we will present highlights of MIPS and WSR-88D measurements for some prominent bow echo cases, including preliminary analyses of the kinematic, thermodynamic, and microphysical properties associated with primary circulations (e.g., forward flank up-down downdraft and descending rear inflow jet) within bow echo and linear mesoscale convective systems.