Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Wolfala on June 02, 2010, 12:51:28 PM

Title: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: Wolfala on June 02, 2010, 12:51:28 PM
(http://cirruspilots.org/cfs-filesystemfile.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Discussions.Components.Files/4/7851.MCS.jpg)
(http://cirruspilots.org/cfs-filesystemfile.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Discussions.Components.Files/4/3666.MCC.jpg)

There's actually a specific name for this "flavor" of convection...and one of these was thought to have caused the Great Johnstown Flood in 1889.  

Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: uptown on June 02, 2010, 01:36:11 PM
I don't know but i'm sure glad I fixed the roof before it got here  :lol
Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: xbrit on June 02, 2010, 02:04:57 PM
Hey that's over me as well ........
Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: Blooz on June 02, 2010, 02:08:03 PM
(http://www.2desktop.com/bigwthumbs/Jupiter_Eye_to_Io_2668.jpg)

The U.S. Eye?

Get it? U.S.A., U.S. Eye.....nevermind.
Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: AAJagerX on June 02, 2010, 03:02:40 PM
My bad, I left my furnace on.   :D

Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: Dragon on June 02, 2010, 03:24:45 PM
See Rule #6

Just because you comment it as "NSFW" does not make it appropriate for this board!!!  As a matter of fact, if you have to do that, then IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THIS BOARD!!!!
Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: AWwrgwy on June 03, 2010, 12:01:12 AM
"HEY!! KOOLAIDE!!" ?



wrongway
Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: Getback on June 03, 2010, 12:13:20 AM
That rascal is heading to Indiana! I'm grabbing my gun!
Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: 4deck on June 03, 2010, 05:49:28 AM
See Rule #6

Just because you comment it as "NSFW" does not make it appropriate for this board!!!  As a matter of fact, if you have to do that, then IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THIS BOARD!!!!

WTH is NSFW?  :huh
Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: mbailey on June 03, 2010, 05:53:12 AM
As a property insurance adjuster i can tell you what that is

MORE WORK!!!!! :cry   :D

Honestly though, I have no idea, would love to know
Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: APDrone on June 03, 2010, 06:41:32 AM
WTH is NSFW?  :huh

Not Safe For Work

Generally lewd or vulgar content.

Many companies/schools other institutions frown upon such content displayed on their employees' computers.  With the threat of offending a passerby or someone in proximity, it is a good idea to reserve viewing such material in a safer environment.



Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: AKKuya on June 03, 2010, 06:42:00 AM
That's the tornado that takes you to the Land of OZ.  Glenda the Good Witch of the North has that special slippers you always wanted. :devil
Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: Wolfala on June 03, 2010, 06:54:29 AM
A mesoscale convective system (MCS) that often forms in a zonal flow (upper level flow void of any major troughs or ridges).

Here's a better image that shows a number of features to include the overshooting tops and ripples (waves) in the very cold (and high) cirrus anvil.

(http://avwxworkshops.com/etips/images/Overshooting-Tops-MCS-Iowa-Big.gif)

Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) or mesoscale convective complexes (MCCs) are a name given to a specific class of convection.  Their characteristic signature is a rather large cold cloud shield that has a general round or oval shape as seen on the IR satellite image.  Hard to miss.  Not all MCSs are round...there's also a linear flavor as well. 

The difference between the two isn't all that important, but it largely driven by the size and cloud top temperatures.  A true MCC will have a general cloud shield with (1) continously low IR temperatures less than -32°C over an area >= 100,000 square km and (2) an interior cold cloud region with temperatures less than -52°C having an area >= 50,000 square km.  So given that Iowa is about 150,000 square kilometers in size, I'd say that the first requirement was met...and the second requirement is pretty close to be an MCC versus an MCS.  Also notice in the image above a very small area in southwest Iowa where the overshooting tops are white which references a temperature of -75°C or colder.  Based on this sounding analysis below, this places the overshooting tops above 47,000 feet given that the tropopause is located at about 46,000 feet.

(http://cirruspilots.org/cfs-filesystemfile.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Discussions.Components.Files/4/5488.Overshooting_2D00_Top_2D00_Sounding.gif)

These monster systems are known for their ability to produce torrential rains, hail and high winds.  They are noctural sytems that typically develop in the late afternoon/early evening and can persist throughout the night into the early morning hours.  Some can even last as long as 24 hours or more.  Most of the time the reflectivity image on NEXRAD is one that contains one or more significant bow-shaped echoes (hence the high winds).   

(http://cirruspilots.org/cfs-filesystemfile.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Discussions.Components.Files/4/5381.Overshooting_2D00_Top_2D00_Regional_2D00_Reflectivity.gif)

They are not usually found in very virgorous atmospheric flow.  In fact, the best conditions are associated with a weak synoptic-scale frontal zone and weak upper-level disturbances in the middle troposphere.  So when you look at the upper level flow at 500 mb, for example, you don't see any major weather systems like we see during the fall, winter and spring.  The height lines are basically showing a rather weak flow from west to east in the Midwest.  This means they don't move very fast and can dump lots of rain.  This is an important event from an agricultural perspective as long as it doesn't cause massive flooding or serious crop damage due to hail.  These systems will often develop on the southern-most periphery of the height gradient.   

(http://cirruspilots.org/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Discussions.Components.Files/4/0820.500mb_2D00_Zonal_2D00_Flow.gif)
Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: expat on June 03, 2010, 09:24:33 AM
Well the one over me is called cyclone phet..
Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: Jayhawk on June 03, 2010, 10:46:14 AM
I'm no meteorologist but I believe they call that a cloud.
























 :neener:
Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: Sperky on June 03, 2010, 11:37:54 AM
Terrific images!  Please share those sites/sources!!!   :)
Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: Denholm on June 03, 2010, 11:43:45 AM
Dang it!

I was just about to say, "Mesoscale Convective Complex!"
Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: 4deck on June 03, 2010, 05:57:13 PM
Thanks Drone.

Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: Nwbie on June 03, 2010, 10:27:58 PM
Wolfala is Tom Skilling


Anyone who knows isobars as intimately as that has to be Tom Skilling


 :)

Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: Wolfala on June 10, 2010, 09:09:21 AM
(http://cirruspilots.org/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer.Discussions.Components.Files/4/0511.MCC_2D00_Again.gif)

Yet another one this morning with even colder overshooting tops!  You know when you were taught that it's best to fly early in the morning to minimize your exposure to thunder?  Not when Mr. MCC is in the neigborhood.
Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: AAJagerX on June 10, 2010, 05:23:57 PM
Extremely windy all day today in the Des Moines area.  That thing needs to go to Illinois.   :t
Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: xbrit on June 10, 2010, 05:31:09 PM
Extremely windy all day today in the Des Moines area.  That thing needs to go to Illinois.   :t
No thanks Jager we don't want it.
Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: AAJagerX on June 10, 2010, 05:37:05 PM
No thanks Jager we don't want it.

I figured that the "Windy City" would like the...  Um....  Wind.
Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: oakranger on June 10, 2010, 05:51:35 PM
What do you do for a living wolfala?
Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: Wolfala on June 10, 2010, 06:01:30 PM
What do you do for a living wolfala?

let's see. Defence contractor for 4 years. Now general contractor and construction management in NYC. But pilot for 18 years and flight instructor the last 10. Always loved weather and being outside reading signposts in the sky.
Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: oakranger on June 10, 2010, 06:41:39 PM
let's see. Defence contractor for 4 years. Now general contractor and construction management in NYC. But pilot for 18 years and flight instructor the last 10. Always loved weather and being outside reading signposts in the sky.

Sure act like a meteorologist. that is quit impressive info that you provided. 
Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: Wolfala on June 10, 2010, 06:47:39 PM
Sure act like a meteorologist. that is quit impressive info that you provided. 

there are days. I could prob swing that job in a San Diego market. "what's the weather outside?" nice. Back to you.
Title: Re: Whats this thing called over Iowa?
Post by: Jayhawk on June 10, 2010, 07:41:38 PM
(http://www.anchorman-themovie.com/wallpapers/images/brick_wp_1024x768.jpg)