Airborne Doppler radar observations of an MCV and spiral rainband

On 24-25 May 2003 the NOAA P3 and ELDORA airborne Doppler radars sampled a mature mesoscale convective vortex (MCV) over northeastern Oklahoma as part of the Bow Echo and MCV Experiment (BAMEX). The NOAA P3 tail radar sampled the central region of the vortex while ELDORA focused on one of the primary spiral rainbands associated with the MCV. These observations indicate a discernable storm-relative cyclonic circulation in the central stratiform region, along with significant convergence and a cyclonic wind shift across the rainband. Recent theoretical work has indicated that some of the characteristics of spiral bands and resiliency of the vortex to wind shear can be explained by dry vorticity dynamics. This paper will present preliminary analysis of the structure of the MCV derived from the NOAA P3 radar data and some higher resolution structure of the rainband observed by ELDORA. Their relationship and comparisons with theory will also be explored.