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Mesovortex Synthesis

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Potential connections exist between total lightning and mesovortex formation, which is the parent circulation from which QLCS tornadoes are born. Many studies have found that mesovortexgenesis is initiated at low levels by tilting, in downdrafts, of crosswise baroclinic horizontal vorticity (Trapp and Weisman 2003 Part II, Wheatley and Trapp 2008, Atkins and St. Laurent 2009 Part II). Additional studies have found that strong low-level updraft is critical in converging and amplifying vertical vorticity associated with the mesovortex (Schenkman et al. 2012, Atkins and St. Laurent 2009). Trapp and Weisman (2003 Part I) also found that the amount of wind shear had large implications on mesovortexgenesis. As wind shear increased in both magnitude and …show more content…

The total lightning information can give important insight to the updraft and downdraft processes within the QLCS. The region with the largest lightning flash rates is related to a stronger mid-level updraft, and a lightning jump (or multiple lightning jumps) occur in response to a rapid intensification of updraft strength. This mid-level updraft can assist in mesovortexgenesis in two ways. First, if a low-level mesovortex is present in the presence of strong vertical wind shear, this strong mid-level updraft could potentially act to stretch the vertical vorticity, thereby strengthening the mesovortex. Secondly, this strong mid-level updraft can ultimately produce more and larger precipitation, which in turn contributes

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