CASE 17 - MCS developed due E of S-Pol, dissipates before reaching radar

8/5/04

Microphysical scans 0330 - 0515 Z, 1h 45m

(System lifetime: 2300 - 0630 Z)

 

 

SYNOPTIC CONDITIONS SUMMARY:

 

Synoptic feature map - MISSING

300 mb Divergence Map -

IOP status - No IOP called at this time.

 

A jet streak has progressed westward across Mexico since yesterday. There is an area of increased divergence at 300mb due to speed difluence in the area of the jet streak (image at left).

 

These areas of divergence coincide with a rather large 500mb vorticity max which in turn coincides with IV #8.
 

 

Day 0 forecast discussion text

 

Winds

200 mb - model.ETA.200408050000.00_200mb_wnd.gif

500 mb - model.ETA.200408050000.00_500mb_wnd.gif

700 mb - model.ETA.200408050000.00_700mb_wnd.gif

850 mb - model.ETA.200408050000.00_850mb_wnd.gif

 

 

 

MESOSCALE SUMMARY:

 

24 h precipitation totals -

 

 

TIMELINE OF DEVELOPMENT:

 

8/4 2300 Z

Convective disturbances building over the SMO to the E/SE of S-Pol.

 

2310Z, GOES-10 Thermal IR

 

8/5 0000 Z

Convective disturbance due east of Mazatlan (over SMO) looking more organized, intensifying. System is tracking westward.

 

2354Z, GOES-10 Thermal IR

 

0200 Z

MCS to the E/SE of S-Pol appears to have peaked - starting to weaken.

 

0154Z, GOES-10 Thermal IR

 

0200-0500 Z

MCS dissipating as it tracks westward towards S-Pol. Enters the S-Pol domain around 0300 Z.

 

 

S-POL SUMMARY:

 

S-Pol log - spol_080504.txt

 

SCAN OVERVIEW:

 

0330 Z

Begin Microphysical Scanning, Switching to MicroFar135: Leading convection of MCS located directly east of S-Pol moving into range. Centered sector on 127 deg, RHI’s on 90 and 92 deg.

 

0330Z, Base reflectivity

 

0400 Z

Switching to MicroFar90: Most convection confined between 45 and 135 deg, centered sector on 90 deg. Leading line (west edge) of MCS in S-Pol domain, with trailing stratiform region behind.

 

0400Z, Base reflectivity

 

0415 Z

Switching to MicroNear90: Deep convection along leading edge of MCS have moved within 60 km range of S-Pol, prompting switch. Sector centered on 75 deg.

 

0415Z, Base reflectivity

 

0445 Z

Switching to MicroNear135: Cells are within 10 km of radar, with new cells forming within 30 km to the N. Centered sector on 60 deg.

 

0445Z, Base reflectivity

 

0515 Z

End Microphysical Scanning, Switching to ClimoNear: New cells surrounding radar site, >135 deg.

 

0515Z, Base reflectivity