Correlations of the Evolution of a CCOPE Squall Line with Surface Thermodynamics and Kinematic Fields

A midlatitude squall line passed over the array of the Cooperative Convective Precipitation Experiment (CCOPE) on 1 August 1981. The structure and evolution of the squall line, and the correlations of the storm with sur-face thermodynamics and kinematic fields are investigated, mainly by using radar and surface mesonet data in CCOPE. The storm-wide precipitation efficiency is also estimated.The squall line was of an obvious process of metabolism. Thirty-four cells formed successively in front of the primary storm und eventually merged into it during the period 1700-2010 MDT. The newest cells formed near sur-face equivalent potential temperature maxima, and near surface moisture flux convergence zones or / and the “tem-perature break lines”. The thunderstorm rainfall, with the precipitation efficiency of 54%, lags 25-30 min behind the moisture flux convergence on the average.