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Mesoscale convective systems modulated by convectively coupled equatorial waves
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  • Yuan-Ming Cheng,
  • Juliana Dias,
  • George Kiladis,
  • Zhe Feng,
  • L. Ruby Leung
Yuan-Ming Cheng
NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Juliana Dias
NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory
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George Kiladis
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
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Zhe Feng
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (DOE)
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L. Ruby Leung
PNNL
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Abstract

Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) produce over 50% of tropical precipitation and account for the majority of extreme rainfall and flooding events. MCSs are considered the building blocks of larger-scale convectively coupled equatorial waves (CCEWs). While CCEWs can provide favorable environments for convection, how CCEWs can systematically impact organized convection and thereby MCS characteristics is less clear. We examine this question by analyzing a global MCS tracking dataset. During the active phase of CCEWs, MCS frequency increases and MCSs rain harder, produce more lifetime total rain, and grow larger in size. The probability of extreme MCSs also elevates. These changes are most pronounced when MCSs are associated with Kelvin waves and tropical depression-type waves while least so with the Madden-Julian Oscillation. These results can be benchmarks to improve model representation of MCS interactions with large-scale circulations and can be leveraged operationally for extended forecasts of high-impact MCSs.
03 Mar 2023Submitted to ESS Open Archive
06 Mar 2023Published in ESS Open Archive