Mesoscale convective complexes over the western Mediterranean area during 1990-1994

Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCSs) data registers from June to December du ring 1990-94 were obtained from the Spanish National Meteorological Institu te (INM). Fifteen Mesoscale Convective Complexes (MCCs) were identified thr ough this database. Most of the MCCs developed during the last week of Sept ember. The dominant synoptic patterns related to the mesoscale systems were cold fronts at the surface with warm and moist low-level cores, and cut-of f low or deep trough throughout the middle and upper levels. These synoptic patterns were found in all the fifteen cases studied. The hourly centroid location of each MCC was used to trace their tracks, wh ich followed a general direction towards the E or NE in almost all cases. T hese trajectories are clearly related to the synoptic patterns found. Final ly, two MCCs chosen as representative of their evolution are described and the related physical processes are discussed.