Real–data numerical simulations of severe bow echoes observed during BAMEX

Real-data numerical simulations of bow echo events observed during the Bow Echo and MCV Experiment (BAMEX) have been performed using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, and the preliminary results are presented. The primary objective of this modeling study is to better understand the production of damaging surface winds in quasi-linear convective systems, within a real-data numerical modeling framework. In particular, we wish to test the generality of idealized modeling-based theories that link low-level mesovortices to such damaging winds, and of proposed mesovortexgenesis mechanisms. The real-data WRF cases are initialized using 40 km ETA model runs, approximately 12-24 h before convective initiation. Two-way interactive grid nesting allows us to resolve convection-permitting scales. Notably, these simulations replicate the characteristics of highly organized, severe bow echoes, ranging from a concentrated rear-inflow jet and line-end vortices on the system scale, to low-level mesovortices on the subsystem scale.