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  • Review Article
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The formation, character and changing nature of mesoscale convective systems

Nature Reviews Earth & Environment volume 1, pages 300–314 (2020)Cite this article

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Abstract

Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) describe organized groupings of thunderstorms in the tropics and mid-latitudes that span thousands of square kilometres. While recognized for over a century, the advent of satellite and radar observations, as well as atmospheric-model simulations, has brought about their increased understanding. In this Review, we synthesize current knowledge on MCS formation, climatological characteristics, hazardous weather, predictive capacity and projected changes with anthropogenic warming. Driven by typical deep moist convective processes (moisture, lift and instability) and vertical wind shear, MCS formation occurs preferentially in locations where these ingredients are present and can be maintained by large-scale ascent and the cold pools that they produce. MCSs also generate hazardous weather, including extreme rainfall, flooding, derechos and, sometimes, tornadoes and hail, all of which have substantial economic and societal impacts. Given that MCSs also produce a large fraction of warm-season rainfall, there is critical need for both short-term forecasts and long-term projections, presently challenged by inadequate model resolution. Yet, with continually improving modelling capabilities, as well as greater theoretical basis, it is suggested that MCSs might increase in frequency and intensity under a warming climate. Further modelling progress, in turn, offers improved understanding of MCS characteristics, from their life cycle through to impacts.

Key points

  • Organized lines or clusters of convective storms — known as mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) — frequently occur across the global tropics, subtropics and mid-latitudes.

  • MCSs produce over half of the annual rainfall in some regions and provide critical water resources for agriculture in those regions.

  • Much of the extreme rainfall in mid-latitude land areas comes from MCSs, often causing deadly and destructive flash flooding. MCSs are also responsible for widespread damaging wind events, called derechos.

  • MCS organization, structure and maintenance is governed by the ingredients for deep moist convection (moisture, instability and lift) and by how vertical wind shear interacts with convective updrafts and cold pools.

  • Prediction of MCS rainfall and hazards is a major challenge, owing to multiscale processes and insufficient resolution of atmospheric models. Yet, predictions are improving with advances in understanding and computing.

  • Understanding how MCSs will change in a warmer climate is a new and important research area. Results thus far suggest that heavy rainfall from MCSs is likely to increase.

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Fig. 1: Key MCS types.
Fig. 2: The contribution of MCSs to global rainfall.
Fig. 3: MCS frequency and the rainfall contribution of MCSs in the USA.
Fig. 4: Common environments for MCS formation and maintenance.
Fig. 5: Conceptual model of a squall line.
Fig. 6: Derecho impacts.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank D. Lindsey, S. Nesbitt and A. Haberlie for providing data and updated figures. R.S.S. is supported by National Science Foundation grants AGS1636663, AGS-637244 and AGS-1661862 and NOAA grants NA18OAR4590308 and NA18OAR4590378. K.L.R. is supported by National Science Foundation grants AGS-1661657, AGS-1641167 and AGS-1854399.

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    Russ S. Schumacher & Kristen L. Rasmussen

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Schumacher, R.S., Rasmussen, K.L. The formation, character and changing nature of mesoscale convective systems. Nat Rev Earth Environ 1, 300–314 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-020-0057-7

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