Assessment of the low level jets effects on MCSs formation in the southwest of Iran

The most notable of convective systems are Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCSs) that develop when clouds occurring in response to convective instability amalgamate and organize upscale into a single cloud system with a very large cirriform cloud structure and rainfall covering large contiguous areas (Houz, 2004). Detection and monitoring of MCSs is very important in southwest Iran because they produce hazardous weather, such as lightning, heavy rainfall, hail and strong winds. Several factors influence the development of MCSs such as the flow generated by a weak midlevel trough and the occurrence of low level jets (LLJs). LLJs transport moisture at the jet level, increase the low-level convergence and are responsible for sustaining convection especially at night.
The aim of this study was to assess the influence of low level jets on MCSs formation across the southwest of Iran over the period from 2001 to 2005. The months of January, Mars, April and December was selected because of more MCSs occurrence. Event days were selected using synoptic station data (a set of storm reports such as thunderstorm, lightning, and shower and precipitation) across the study area. IR brightness temperature data from Meteosat 5 were utilized for detecting MCSs. It has a resolution of 4 km with temporal resolution of 30 min. Detection of MCSs was performed on the basis of brightness temperature and areal extent thresholds. In this approach ‘convective cells’ are connected zones of pixels below the temperature threshold that exceed the areal extent threshold (Woodley et al., 1980). The best threshold for detection of area characterized by deep moist convection was determined 228 K. Based on Morel and Senesi (2002), area threshold selected 1000 km2. Those systems have considered as a MCS which reached at least an area of 10000 km2 during its mature stage and lasted at least 3 h.
To determine the influence of low level jet on MCSs development, the occurrence percent, maximum extension and duration of MCSs was analyzed in both LLJ and NOLLJ condition. The detection of low level jet events is based on Bonner (Bonner, 1968). According to this classical definition, a low level jet event is detected when the wind speed is equal to or higher than 12 m/s. In addition, the wind speed should decrease by at least 6 m/s to the next higher minimum. Furthermore the moisture fluxes at 850 hPa are analyzed to identify low level jets role in moist air advection. Moisture flux (MF850) is calculated by multiplying the specific humidity and wind speed (Remedio, 2013). The regions with intense moisture transport are identified during the mean monthly conditions as well as during the composite of low level jet events.
The result of this study showed that the most of MCSs has triggered and developed during low level jet event in all months. So that, 85% of MCSs in January, 96% of MCSs in Mars, 84% of MCSs in April and 88% of MCSs in December has formed during Low Level Jet event. Thus MCSs triggering without low level jets assist was rare. Analyzing of the 850-mb isotachs showed that there was the Low Level Jet many hours before the organized convective systems is established in most of cases. The center of Low Level Jets was in Persian Gulf vicinity mostly. Its speed was equal to 14 - 18 m/s approximately and its axis was in north to south direction. The high wind speeds generally advect the warm and moist air from the Arab and red sea towards the southwest of Iran. These conditions induced to the release of latent heat and increase the low-level convergence which was favorable for the development of convection and MCSs formation.
Westerly wind whit low speed prevailed during the mean monthly conditions at 850 hPa. But it was southwesterly during the composite of low level jet events which transmitted heat and moisture to the study area. The result of this research revealed the biggest and most lasting formed MCSs in days whit low level jet event was bigger and more lasting in contrast whit the biggest and most lasting formed MCSs in days whit no low level jet event. But the mean extension and duration of MCSs in two different condition showed no significant difference.