The Genesis of Mesovortices within a Real-Data Simulation of a Bow Echo System

摘要

The genesis of two mesovortices (MVs) within a real-data, convection-resolving simulation of the 8 May 2009 central U.S. bow echo system is studied. Both MVs form near the bow apex but differ distinctively in intensity, lifetime, and damage potential. The stronger and longer-lived mesovortex, MVa, stays near the bow apex where the system-scale rear-inflow jet (RIJ) is present. The descending RIJ produces strong downdrafts and surface convergence, which in turn induce strong vertical stretching and intensification of MVa into an intense mesovortex. In contrast, the weaker and shorter-lived mesovortex, MVb, gradually moves away from the bow apex, accompanied by localized convective-scale downdrafts.