The observed effects of mesoscale and storm-scale vortices on west Texas heat bursts

Since the implementation of mesoscale surface observation networks over the past 20 years, heat bursts have evolved from being considered a rare phenomenon to a fairly common one. They can range from hardly noticeable to severely damaging to property. Although theories explaining these heat bursts have been introduced in literature over the last 30 years, the forcing mechanisms that transport warm air to the surface are still unclear. Heat bursts are defined as rapid increases in temperature with corresponding rapid decreases in dewpoint temperature. The low dewpoint and potential temperature values observed in these bursts suggest that dry air is being transported to the surface from some point aloft. As these phenomena are typically found in mature nocturnal mesoscale convective systems, the rear inflow jet has been speculated to be the origin of this low theta-e air. Additionally, mesoscale convective vortices in recent literature have been observed developing in late stages of mature mesoscale convective systems in close proximity to the rear inflow jet. This study will investigate nocturnal mesoscale convective systems which contain either a mesoscale convective vortex or storm-scale vortices and have also produced heat bursts observed by the Texas Tech West Texas Mesonet. The purpose of the study will be to observe the role that the vortices play on the evolution of a heat burst, if any. Any relationship observed between the vortices, rear inflow jet, and surface heat bursts will be observed and discussed as an outcome.