Case Studies on Convective Storms / Case Study 1, 13 July 1978: First Echo Case

The potential instability was weak to moderate on this day, and the environmental shear was fairly strong, resulting in an airmass thunderstorm of multi-cellular character. Data from the many penetrations by instrumented aircraft characterize various stages of development of seven cells that formed on the storm's western flank.

Cloud particle sizes and types suggest accretion (riming) as the dominate particle growth mode. Further generalizations are made from quantitative photographic observations and single Doppler radar data. Aircraft measurements below cloud revealed extensive inflow regions and often showed strong updrafts, mainly on the west and southwest flanks.