IEM Daily Feature
Wednesday, 08 June 2005

Linear MCS

Posted: 08 Jun 2005 06:59 AM


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6:50 mesoplot with NEXRAD on 8 Jun 2005
Folks in Northern Iowa are enjoying a linear MCS that dove into the state overnight. A linear MCS is simply a group of thunderstorms that are organized into a forward propogating line. From the plot, you can see how the winds are southerly to the south and northerly to the north of this line. These systems build up an area of cold and heavy air near the ground under the rain which lifts warm air ahead of the system into the storm. This air tastes good to the linear MCS and its storms move along with this forced boundary. Check out this RADAR loop showing the storms.

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