This new textbook seeks to promote a deep yet accessible understanding of mesoscale-convective processes in the atmosphere. Mesoscale-convective processes are commonly manifested in the form of thunderstorms, which are fast evolving, inherently hazardous, and can assume a broad range of sizes and severity. Modern explanations of the convective-storm dynamics, and of the related development of tornadoes, damaging 'straight-line' winds and heavy rainfall, are provided. Students and weather professionals will benefit especially from unique chapters devoted to observations and measurements of mesoscale phenomena, mesoscale prediction and predictability, and dynamical feedbacks between mesoscale-convective processes and larger-scale motions.
• Focuses on convective processes on the atmospheric mesoscale • Unique in its treatment of mesoscale observational instruments and platforms, strategies employed to collect the observations and techniques used to analyze the data • Includes online supplemental resources for instructors, as well as problem sets, discussion questions and suggested exercises included as part of each chapter
Contents
1. The atmospheric mesoscale; 2. Theoretical foundations; 3. Observations and mesoscale data analysis; 4. Mesoscale numerical modeling; 5. The initiation of deep convective clouds; 6. Elemental convective processes; 7. Supercells: a special class of long-lived rotating convective storms; 8. Mesoscale convective systems; 9. Interactions and feedbacks; 10. Mesoscale predictability and prediction.
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