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Components of Multicell Clusters
moderate dangers with some severe risk
[Image: radar image of mulicell storms (50K)]
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Radar (PPI mode) often reflects the
multicell nature of these storms, as
seen with the central echo mass and its three light red (in this case
VIP 5)
cores in this photo. Occasionally, a multicell storm will appear unicellular
in a low-level radar scan, but will display several distinct tops when a tilt
sequence is used to view the storm in its upper extremities. |
The close proximity of updrafts within the multicell cluster storm results in
updraft competition for the warm, moist low-level air. Thus, updrafts never
attain extremely strong vertical velocities and each has a short life span when
compared to a supercell updraft. Naturally, multicell severe weather usually
is less intense than that from supercells,
but still can be quite potent, with
marble to golf ball size hail
and 60 to 80 MPH winds not uncommon.
[Image: low-level horizontal cross section through multicell cluster (43K)]
This low-level, horizontal cross-section
depicts a severe multicell storm or marginal
supercell
where the gust front typically has
moved out ahead of and "undercut" the updraft
area and possible wall cloud.
Although the
storm might well be severe, tornado production
from the updraft/wall cloud area is unlikely.
introduction
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development
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