MLchartDataset catalogue

Mesoscale convective system

Term · Meteorology and atmospheric science · MLC-T-MET-001691

  1. A complex of thunderstorms that organizes on the mesoscale, typically covering an area of at least 100 kilometers in one dimension. These systems can produce heavy rainfall, lightning, and severe weather such as hail and strong winds. They are a major source of precipitation in many regions and can persist for several hours.

  2. (MCS): 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.

Table 1. Record
IdentifierMLC-T-MET-001691
FieldMeteorology and atmospheric science
AbbreviationMCS
ReferencesNWS Glossary
Record as JSON
{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-001691",
  "term": "Mesoscale convective system",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definitions": [
    "A complex of thunderstorms that organizes on the mesoscale, typically covering an area of at least 100 kilometers in one dimension. These systems can produce heavy rainfall, lightning, and severe weather such as hail and strong winds. They are a major source of precipitation in many regions and can persist for several hours.",
    "(MCS): A complex of thunderstorms which becomes organized on\na scale larger than the individual thunderstorms, and normally persists for several hours or more.\nMCSs may be round or linear in shape, and include systems such as tropical cyclones, squall\nlines, and MCCs (among others). MCS often is used to describe a cluster of thunderstorms that\ndoes not satisfy the size, shape, or duration criteria of an MCC."
  ],
  "abbreviation": "MCS",
  "references": [
    "NWS Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/mesoscale-convective-system/"
}

Record 5,994 of 10,816 in Meteorology and atmospheric science terminology (MLC-0110). Request the full dataset.