Mesoscale Convective Complexes and Persistent Elongated Convective Systems over the United States during 1992 and 1993

Abstract

Abstract Large, long-lived convective systems over the United States in 1992 and 1993 have been classified according to physical characteristics observed in satellite imagery as quasi-circular [mesoscale convective complex (MCC)] or elongated [persistent elongated convective system (PECS)] and cataloged. The catalog includes the time of initiation, maximum extent, termination, duration, area of the −52°C cloud shield at the time of maximum extent, significant weather associated with each occurrence, and tracks of the −52°C cloud-shield centroid. Both MCC and PECS favored nocturnal development and on average lasted about 12 h. In both 1992 and 1993, PECS produced −52°C cloud-shield areas of greater extent and occurred more frequently compared with MCCs. The mean position of initiation for PECS in 1992 and 1993 followed a seasonal shift similar to the climatological seasonal shift for MCC occurrences but was displaced eastward of the mean position of MCC initiation in 1992 and 1993. The spatial distribution...