Extended Abstract (236K)2.4
Severe Weather Evolution Associated with a Bow Echo and a Series of Mesolows
Diana M. Blahyj, SUNY, Brockport, NY; and D. A. Imy
Fast moving bow echoes typically produce widespread wind damage, especially along the bowing portion of the line. On 12 March 2001, a thunderstorm line with embedded bow echoes move steadily eastward at 40-45 kt throughout the day across Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. As the line moved through Louisiana during the early morning hours, wind damage along the bowing portion of the line was the most prevalent type of severe weather. About mid morning, the line changed character as a series of mesolows appeared to develop along the thunderstorm line. This evolutionary change within the line resulted in wind damage to cease along the line. However, as the mesolows and line shifted eastward from late morning into the afternoon hours, tornadoes became the predominant type of severe weather and occurred near the location of the mesolows. The change in the severe weather type and location within the line appeared to be directly related to the strength of the cold pool. The wind damage occurred with the stronger cold pool, while tornadoes were most prevalent after the cold pool weakened. This paper will examine the meteorological factors which may have played a role in the evolution of the line and the apparent role the cold pool strength played in the subsequent severe weather.
Session 2, Mesoscale Convective Systems II
Monday, 12 August 2002, 1:30 PM-3:00 PM
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