Soil Moisture Found Crucial in Predicting Severe Storms: Study on Mesoscale Convective Systems

 

A recent study on Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCS) has revealed that soil moisture levels may play a significant role in forecasting intense storm events. This finding could improve early warning systems and disaster preparedness.

 

What is a Mesoscale Convective System (MCS)?

1. An MCS is a large, organized cluster of thunderstorms that behaves as a single weather system.
2. These systems can cover areas as large as an entire state and often persist for over 12 hours.
3. They are typically associated with heavy rainfall, which can lead to severe impacts on human life, livestock, and infrastructure.

Regions Prone to MCS Events

MCSs are most frequently observed in the following regions: West and Central Africa, Northern India, Argentina, China and The Great Plains of the United States.