Abstract
Abstract High-resolution three-dimensional simulations are used to study misocyclone initiation and development along the leading edge of an outflow boundary. Model conditions were designed such that this development could be simulated independent of moist processes. The outflow boundary is allowed to propagate into a region of southerly low-level flow which results in a vertical vortex sheet along the outflow’s leading edge. Lobe and cleft instabilities follow and provide perturbations for the subsequent development of horizontal shearing instabilities. These growing instabilities are the inaugural circulations of leading edge misocyclones with wavelengths ranging from 1.6 to 3.2 km. The structure of these modeled misocyclones compares favorably to observed pretornadic misocyclones along outflow boundaries in northeast Colorado. Vortex sheet dynamics are observed to exert substantial control over the structure of the evolving outflow leading edge. The vertical vortex sheet passes through discrete evoluti...
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