Local and regional discriminators of mesoscale convective vortex development in Arizona

In approximately half of Arizona's summer season (June-September) mesoscale convective systems evolve into mesoscale convective vortices (MCVs). Analysis of satellite imagery identified MCVs in Arizona over the period 1991-2000, and local and regional rawinsonde data discriminated conditions conducive for MCV development. These results indicate that MCVs are more likely to form from convective systems when the local and regional environments are characterized by relative stability in the 850-700-hPa layer and moderate wind shear in the 500-200-hPa layer. These characteristics are similar to results reported for MCV development in the central United States.