Mesoscale Convective System

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-016997",
  "term": "Mesoscale Convective System",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. A complex of thunderstorms which becomes organized on a scale larger than the individual thunderstorms, and normally persists for several hours or more. MCSs may be round or linear in shape, and include systems such as tropical cyclones, squall lines, and MCCs (among others). MCS often is used to describe a cluster of thunderstorms that does not satisfy the size, shape, or duration criteria of an MCC.\n\n2. A Mesoscale Convective System (MCS) is a collection of thunderstorms that act as a system. An MCS can spread across an entire state and last more than 12 hours. On radar one of these monsters might appear as a solid line, a broken line, or a cluster of cells.\n\n3. Of or relating to a (convective system) meteorological phenomenon approximately 10 to 1000 kilometers in horizontal extent.",
  "references": [
    "NOAA National Weather Service Glossary",
    "NOAA Severe Weather 101 Thunderstorm Types at http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/thunderstorms/types",
    "Adapted from NASA Science Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/mesoscale-convective-system/"
}