Topic: MCS ( Mesoscale Convective System ) NW Australia 21st Nov 2006

[John Allen]

Looking over NW Australia atm, you can see intense concerntration of lightning under the system, with a large circular anvil shield. Havent got my measuring tape out to check if its legal size *giggles*, but definitely an interesting feature.

See satellite images below

Formed on evening, from thunderstorms, and will probably last 6 hours. We get about 20 a year for the Australia region.

NB: Tropical Cyclone moving SE through Fiji visible on RH edge of IR sat.

[Jimmy Deguara]

Hi John,

Yes I guess we can talk further about the definitions of mesoscale convective system in the technical discussion thread but yes there is no doubt about this being a Mesoscale Convective System MCS. The much rarer feature is its cousin - the MCC or Mesoscale Convective Complex.

But getting back on track, it looked quite good in the setting sun on visible imagery - once again we hope Michael can place it online. It was quite a coincidence that Paul Graham and I discussed that region for providing the focus of strong activity given the high CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy) environment.

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara

[Michael Bath]

Here you go:

IR Loop 06 to 18z

http://australiasevereweather.com/storm_news/2006/satpics/20061121loop.gif


1km VIS 06z to 09z









MB