Structure and maintenance of mesoscale convective systems: A historical overview

Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) represent a form of organized convection including, but not limited to, squall lines, mesoscale convective complexes and bow echoes. MCSs account for a large fraction of warm season precipitation in the Great Plains, and a fair portion of its severe weather. In this talk, I will review our past and present understanding of MCSs, particularly squall lines, with an emphasis on their structure, maintenance and propagation mechanisms.