A three-dimensional numerical study of an Oklahoma squall line containing right-flank supercells

A nonhydrostatic numerical mesoscale model has been applied to the study of an Oklahoma squall line. The model reproduced features typical of organized propagating convection occurring during spring and summer in this region, namely a squall line/mesoscale convective system containing strong right-flank convection resembling many documented cases. The alignment and motion of the system change during its development and are determined by the ambient wind at three levels; the steering level of the mature cells, the level of free convection, and the surface layer. Their propagation occurred through successive mergers of cells that had formed at a downdraft outflow convergence front and were similar to the flanking line often seen to the south of strong updraft cores. -from Authors