The Bow-Echo and MCV Experiment (BAMEX) proposes to use airborne and ground-based observing systems to examine the life-cycles of severe mesoscale convective systems (MCS), particularly “bow-echo” systems which often produce damaging straight-line surface winds and occasionally tornadoes. There are 3 basic scientific objectives that can only be efficiently addressed by aircraft: 1) map out circulations in the stratiform region; 2) document evolution of leading-line convection; and 3) document inflow thermodynamics. The BAMEX research aircraft component has proposed the use of 2 Doppler radar-equipped turboprop P-3s (the NOAA and NRL aircraft with NCAR ELDORA radar) and a high-altitude jet for dropsonde deployment to address these scientific objectives. The Doppler-radar aircraft will map the kinematics of the convective line and mesoscale evolution of MCS circulations, especially the development of vortices and rear inflow jets. Dropsondes are critical for documenting the environment of the bow-echo systems and the thermodynamic structure within the stratiform rain region where MCS circulations are pronounced. The dropsonde aircraft will also provide information about the structure and evolution of mesoscale convective vortices (MCVs) following the demise of the deep convection.

Because of ELDORA’s superior horizontal data density compared to that of the NOAA P-3’s Doppler radar, the NRL P-3 will be primarily utilized to observe the convective line of bow-echo MCSs, while the NOAA P-3 will be used to examine the structure of the stratiform region.

This presentation will highlight the BAMEX experimental design for the use of the aircraft through an example of a bow-echo system that occurred in June 2001.