Sunday, June 7, 2009

Thunderstorm Stage(s) With Associated Wet Microburst As Viewed From Midland, Looking ENE, June 7, 2009






Attached is series of a maturing convective tower, during, 1)late stage growth , 2)collapsing downdraft, and 3)dissipation stage. During the collapsing stage a wet microburst was noted. The images were taken from Midland looking toward the east/northeast during late afternoon, Sunday. The first image depicts the late stage growth of a vertically (little associated upper level tilt) oriented updraft tower with crisp edges and indication of some mid level rotation due to helix configuration. Note the convex protruding dome centered above "helix" tower.




The next image illustrates the wet microburst, during collapsing downdraft stage as noted by inverted V shaped rain and core descending beneath prior updaft region. The image has been color enhanced in order to provide resolution to outflow processes which include Virga to the left of the microburst at contact stage. Note the convex dome has collapsed and suspended rain and hail descended.



The final image denotes the dissipation stage, after microburst event, whereby the cloud structures are less crisp and the once helix shaped tower, flattened.