Mesovortices within the 8 May 2009 Bow Echo over the Central United States: Analyses of the Characteristics and Evolution Based on Doppler Radar Observations and a High-Resolution Model Simulation

Abstract

Abstract A derecho-producing bow-echo event over the central United States on 8 May 2009 is analyzed based on radar observations and a successful real-data WRF simulation at 0.8-km grid spacing. Emphasis is placed on documenting the existence, evolution, and characteristics of low-level mesovortices (MVs) that form along the leading edge of the bowing system. The genesis of near-surface high winds within the system is also investigated. Significant MVs are detected from the radar radial velocity using a linear least squares derivatives (LLSD) method, and from the model simulation based on calculated vorticity. Both the observed and simulated bow-echo MVs predominantly form north of the bow apex. MVs that develop on the southern bow tend to be weaker and shorter-lived than their northern counterparts. Vortex mergers occur between MVs during their forward movement, which causes redevelopment of some MVs in the decaying stage of the bow echo. MVs located at (or near) the bow apex are found to persist for a notably longer lifetime than the other MVs. Moreover, the model results show that these bow-apex MVs are accompanied with damaging straight-line winds near the surface. These high winds are mainly caused by the descent of the rear-inflow jet at the bow apex, but the MV-induced vortical flow also has a considerable contribution. The locally enhanced descent of the rear-inflow jet near the mesovortex is forced primarily by the dynamically induced downward vertical pressure gradient force while the buoyancy force only plays a minor role there.