A Numerical Study of Storm Splitting that Leads to Long-Lived Storms

We have used a three-dimensional cloud model to investigate the splitting of an initially isolated storm in a one-directional east-west shear. The simulated evolution of storm splitting in some cases follows all four stages suggested by Achtemeier (1969) after analysis of radar data, including the development of two self-sustaining storm. One of these storms moves to the right of the mean wind vector and the other to the left. In the right-moving storm the updraft rotates cyclonically and the downdraft anticyclonically, forming a vortex pair, as depicted in the schematic model of Fankhauser (1971). The vortex pair structure is also similar to that observed with Doppler radar and analyzed by Ray (1976). The downdraft-induced gust front interacts with the low-level environmental wind to produce the convergence necessary to sustain the storm. This convergence extends to the south and west of the storm, and if enough low-level moisture is available a flanking line develops. The distribution of rainwater within the updraft suggests the existence of an over-hang and book typically observed in severe storms. To understand when splitting might occur the strength and distribution of the vertical wind shear were varied. The various simulations suggest that strong shear at and just above cloud base is important for the splitting process to be successful. For splitting to occur the low-level inflow from the cast in our simulations must be sufficiently strong to inhibit the propagation of the gust front toward the cast. If the gust front (or wind shift line) can propagate away from the storm toward the cast, the region of low-level convergence moves away from the storm and initial splitting in the lower updraft cannot he sustained. Further, without the precipitation-induced downdraft and associated low-level outflow splitting does not occur.