Low-Level Mesovortices within Squall Lines and Bow Echoes. Part I: Overview and Dependence on Environmental Shear

Abstract

This two-part study proposes fundamental explanations of the genesis, structure, and implications of lowlevel meso--scale vortices within quasi-linear convective systems (QLCSs) such as squall lines and bow echoes. Such ''mesovortices'' are observed frequently, at times in association with tornadoes.