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Article Type:
Research Article

Structure and Evolution of the 22 February 1993 TOGA COARE Squall Line: Organization Mechanisms Inferred from Numerical Simulation

Stanley B. Trier National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado

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William C. Skamarock National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado

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Margaret A. LeMone National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado

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Print Publication:
01 Feb 1997
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(1997)054<0386:SAEOTF>2.0.CO;2
Page(s):
386–407
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Abstract

Mechanisms responsible for meso- and convective-scale organization within a large tropical squall line that occurred on 22 February 1993 during the Tropical Ocean Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Response Experiment are investigated using a three-dimensional numerical cloud model. The squall line occurred in an environment typical of fast-moving tropical squall lines, characterized by moderate convective available potential energy and moderate-to-strong vertical shear beneath a low-level jet with weak reverse vertical shear above.

A well-simulated aspect of the observed squall line is the evolution of a portion of its leading convective zone from a quasi-linear to a three-dimensional bow-shaped structure over a 2-h period. This transition is accompanied by the development of both a prominent mesoscale vortex along the northern edge of the 40–60-km long bow-shaped feature and elongated bands of weaker reflectivity situated rearward and oriented transverse to the leading edge, within enhanced front-to-rear system relative midlevel flow, near the southern end of the bow. The vertical wind shear that arises from the convectively induced mesoscale flow within the squall-line system is found to be a critical factor influencing 1) the development of the vortex and 2) through its associated vertical pressure gradients, the pronounced along-line variability of the convective updraft and precipitation structure. The environmental wind profile is also critical to system organization since the orientation of its vertical shear (in layers both above and below the environmental jet height) relative to the local orientation of the incipient storm-induced subcloud cold pool directly influences the onset of the convectively induced mesoscale flow.

Corresponding author address: Stanley B. Trier, National Center for Atmospheric Research, P. O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307-3000.

Abstract

Mechanisms responsible for meso- and convective-scale organization within a large tropical squall line that occurred on 22 February 1993 during the Tropical Ocean Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Response Experiment are investigated using a three-dimensional numerical cloud model. The squall line occurred in an environment typical of fast-moving tropical squall lines, characterized by moderate convective available potential energy and moderate-to-strong vertical shear beneath a low-level jet with weak reverse vertical shear above.

A well-simulated aspect of the observed squall line is the evolution of a portion of its leading convective zone from a quasi-linear to a three-dimensional bow-shaped structure over a 2-h period. This transition is accompanied by the development of both a prominent mesoscale vortex along the northern edge of the 40–60-km long bow-shaped feature and elongated bands of weaker reflectivity situated rearward and oriented transverse to the leading edge, within enhanced front-to-rear system relative midlevel flow, near the southern end of the bow. The vertical wind shear that arises from the convectively induced mesoscale flow within the squall-line system is found to be a critical factor influencing 1) the development of the vortex and 2) through its associated vertical pressure gradients, the pronounced along-line variability of the convective updraft and precipitation structure. The environmental wind profile is also critical to system organization since the orientation of its vertical shear (in layers both above and below the environmental jet height) relative to the local orientation of the incipient storm-induced subcloud cold pool directly influences the onset of the convectively induced mesoscale flow.

Corresponding author address: Stanley B. Trier, National Center for Atmospheric Research, P. O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307-3000.

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