Mesoscale convective systems
Come in a variety of sizes and shapes
MCSs account for 30-70 percent of precipitation during the warm season (Apr-Sept.) (Fritsch et al, 1986* ,
Kane et al., (1987*) Found precipitation characteristics of MCS are similar to those of MCCs except for size.
Larger MCCs tend to produce more cumulative rainfall and to a lesser extent point rainfall. (McAnelly and Cotton, 1989 MWR).
Smaller MCSs typically are of shorter duration (Geerts, WAF 1998)
Large MCCs in Plains generally reach their peak size and intensity at about midnight (Houze MWR 1990).
- However, between 35N and 35S, MCSs are twice as likely at sunset than sunrise (Mohr and Zipser, BAM 1996).
*J. Climate Appl. Meteor., 1986)