The Atmospheric Study of MCC (Mesoscale Convective

Complex) in West Papua (Case Study Of 14 August 2017)

Wishnu Agum Swastiko1,1, Ayu Vista Wulandari2,1, Andreas Kurniawan Silitonga3,1, Hariadi4,1
1
School of Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics

E-mail: wswastiko@gmail.com

Abstract. Mesoscale Convective Complex (MCC) is one type of Mesoscale Convective

System (MCS). MCC forms a large storm cloud system from the larger number of single
Cumulonimbus cells that converge and grow into a meso-scale convective cloud cluster. On
August 14th, 2017 MCC formed in West Papua with a lifetime from 14:00 to 19:00 UTC. The
MCC phenomenon produced rain that lasts long enough and continuous. This study aims to
assess the condition of the atmosphere during the occurrence of MCC in West Papua on
August 14, 2017. This study uses reanalysis data from ECMWF in the form of meridional and
zonal wind component, vorticity, and air humidity parameters. In addition, it also needs to be
studied by using Himawari 8 satellite imagery and Radiosonde data. From the meridional and
zonal wind components at 06.00-24.00 UTC, there is a fairly strong wind in West Papua with
the direction of movement from the northwest to north. Based on preliminary study, the
coefficient of 500 mb layer vortices at 06.00-24.00 UTC is shown negative which indicates
cyclonic circulation in the central troposphere layer. This condition is supported by the value
range of air humidity between 70-100% which indicates the layers condition at that time is
relatively wet. In Himawari 8 satellite imagery shows a cluster of Cumulonimbus clouds with a
peak temperature reached -80 0C and a diameter was about 200 km, which is mixed with other
types of clouds. Thus, that MCC is classified as a beta category MCS.

Introduction
Geographically the territory of Indonesia located in the equator so it received solar heat continuously
(an area of surplus energy). In addition, Indonesia was dubbed as a maritime country, where most of
its territory was ocean, resulting the very high evaporation activities in the region. The availability of
moist water vapor is the main ingredient in the formation of convective clouds that are formed from
the convection process, so that the air mass will move up and bring heat to the upper layer and cause
atmospheric conditions to become unstable. Increase in air mass so that the atmosphere becomes
unstable resulting in the growth of convective clouds, among which the most dangerous is
Cumulonimbus.
When these convective clouds grow, mature and expand so that they have a longer life time, they are
usually referred to as Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCS). One of the biggest types of Mesoscale
Convective System (MCS), Mesoscale Convective Complex (MCC) with characteristics based on
Maddox [7] has 32 -32º C as a cloud blanket that represents Stratus area with an area of ≥ 100,000
km², and cloud core is used ≤ -52º C as a convective area with an area of ≥ 50,000 km². According to
[4] there are areas of the occurrence of MCC that often occur or become a favourite area, namely in
the western Indian Ocean of Sumatra Island, the area of Papua Island, North Pacific Ocean of Papua,
Kalimantan Island Region and the North Indian Ocean of Australia. The Indonesian region has found
this system due to warm water conditions due to seasonal radiation cycles.
Based on data from satellite imagery, on August 14, 2017 an MCC was formed in the area of West
Papua with a life span from 14:00 to 19:00 UTC. The MCC phenomenon produces rain that lasts long
enough and is continuous. This study will examine the atmospheric state of the occurrence of MCC in
the West Papua region and find out the stages of MCC formation at the date of the incident so that
characteristics can be known to predict the appearance of MCC as a material for making forecasts and
early warnings.

Data and method

The data used to conduct this study are as follows:
a. Himawari-8 satellite imagery data on IR-Enhanced channel on August 14, 2017 to see the
movements and conditions of the cloud at the time of the incident.
b. Data reanalysis of ECMWF in the form of 500 hPa and 850 hPa meridional wind and zonal
wind component parameters on August 14, 2017.
c. Vorticity data on August 14, 2017 layer of 500 hPa and 850 hPa from ECMWF reanalysis
data to determine cyclonic patterns that support convective cloud growth.
d. Moisture data on August 14, 2017 layer of 500 hPa and 850 hPa from ECMWF reanalysis
data to determine the condition of atmospheric conditions during MCC occurrence.
e. Radiosonde data dated August 14, 2017 to see the stability of the atmosphere during the
MCC.
Each data was used to identify both visual characteristics and impact of the MCC. This is the method
performed in this study can be sumarized as follows:
a. Himawari 8 imagery is also used to find out the visual pattern of MCC based on cloud top
temperature wich is the temperature of less than -40 ° C.
b. Looking at the pattern of wind movement on August 14, 2017. Then interpret the pattern of
movement of the wind to find out the situation that occurred when the MCC.
c. Interpret vortices to determine cyclone patterns that support convective cloud growth in the
lower layers.
d. Interpret the value of air humidity in West Papua to find out the condition of atmospheric
conditions at the time of MCC.
e. Interpret radiosonde data in West Papua to determine atmospheric stability during MCC.

Result and Discussion

3.1 Himawari-8 Satellite Analysis

Based on Himawary Satellite Imagery as shown in Figure 1, there was a MCC on August 14, 2017 at
14:00 UTC. This could be seen in the IR-Enhanced channel Himawary satellite imagery, there were
convective clouds that cover west Papua. The cloud top temperature ranged from -28°C to -80°C when
MCC began occurred, so it could be said that the convective clouds which occurred on that date
indicated the existence of a meso-scale convective system. Cloud growth can be seen in the picture
marked with a red circle. The formation of convective clouds began covered up part of the study area
at 14:30 UTC, then continue to grow due to a strong convection process. The cloud top temperature
also decreased to -100°C almost part of the study area. At 19.00 UTC, the range of convective clouds
began extinct and broken out. Based on Himawari-8 satellite image analysis, this MCC only lasted
approximately 4 hours.
 Figure 1. IR-Enhanced channel Himawary satellite imagery

3.2 Wind Pattern Analysis

Figure 2. Wind speed and direction imagery 500 hPa and 850 hPa
In Figure 2, there are 500 hPa layer wind data. On August 14th 2017 at 06:00 UTC, the wind speed
ranged from 15 m/s - 20 m/s from the east in the west Papua. The tight wind vector indicates the wind
speed in the formation of MCC area were quite strong. Wind speed began to increase along with the
formation of MCC up to 25 m/s. Increased wind speed results there were air mass association forming
convective clouds in the west Papua to form MCC. The increased in wind speed still occured until
August 15th 2017 at 00.00 UTC. While in 850 hPa layer, the wind speed only ranged from 2 m/s - 10
m/s and there was no significant increased along with the occurrence of MCC.

3.3 Vorticity Analysis

Figure 3. Vorticity imagery 500 hPa and 850 hPa

At a layer of 500 hPa and 850 hPa, the vorticity value in the West Papua Region shows a negative
value ranged from 0 until -2 before 12.00 UTC on August 14th, 2017 and continued strengthen until
00.00 UTC on August 15th, 2017. This negative vorticity means that there was a cyclonic in this layer.
It also indicated a vertical rotation movement that supports the growth of convective clouds in this
layer.

3.4 RH Analysis

Figure 4. Relative Humidity imagery 500 hPa and 850 hPa

The RH value of 500 hPa layer ranged from 70% - 100% which indicated that there was enough
moisture available as fuel or the main supplier of energy from convective clouds to develop and
survive. While in the 850 hPa layer the RH value was higher than the 500 hPa layer between 90% -
100%. This high air humidity could be used as a strong indication that this region was a good area and
supports the growth of convective clouds.

3.5 Atmospheric Stability

CAPE 974.5

K-Index 35.30

Showalter Index -1.06

Figure 5. Radiosonde data from Biak Meteorological Station at 12.00 UTC

In order to know about the atmospheric stability is by using radiosonde data from Meteorological
Station. Biak is one of the regions in West Papua which has Meteorological Station. Radiosonde data
has some stability index to facilitate the identification of MCC phenomenon from the convection
process. Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE) is measure of the amount of energy available
for convection. CAPE is directly related to the maximum potential vertical speed within an updraft;
thus, higher values indicate greater potential for severe weather. Based on result, observed CAPE
value is about 974.5 J/kg which almost reach 1000 J/kg. From that value, we can conclude that there
was a moderate convective in that area. K-Index represents a measurement of thunderstorm potential
or Cumulonimbus cloud. The value reached 35.30 which mean the probability of thunderstorm
occurrence is 60 – 80%. Showalter index was -1.06, the negative value showed that the probability of
thunderstorm occurs in that area.

Figure 6. Rainfall 3-hourly from Meteorological Station in West Papua

The picture above shows that during the MCC phenomenon, the rainfall occurred in some region.
Even though the rainfall didn’t exactly happen right at the MCC formed, the rainfall was still
continuously happening in some region due to the propagation of that cloud cluster. The maximum of
rainfall intensity recorded at Sorong Meteorological Station of 27 mm/hour.

Conclusions
Based on the analysis above, the conclusion for this research is
a. From IR-Enhanced channel Himawary satellite imagery, there were convective clouds that
cover west Papua with the cloud top temperature ranged from -28°C to -80°C. This MCC only lasts
approximately 4 hours.
b. The wind speed ranged from 15 m/s - 20 m/s from the east in the west Papua. The tight wind
vector indicates the wind speed in the formation of MCC area were quite strong. Increased wind
speed results there were air mass association forming convective clouds in the west Papua to form
MCC. The increased in wind speed still occured until August 15th 2017 at 00.00 UTC.
c. This negative value of vorticity means that there was a cyclonic in this layer. The value showed
from 0 to -2 before 12.00 UTC on August 14th, 2017.
d. The RH value of 500 hPa to 850 hPa layer averagely ranged from 70% - 100% which indicated
that there was enough moisture available as fuel or the main supplier of energy from convective
clouds to develop and survive. This higher value will be a strong indication that this region was a
good area and supports the growth of convective clouds.
e. From the atmospheric stability, the value of some index indicates that in that region has the
probability of the occurrence of thunderstorm or convective cloud. It can be seen from CAPE, K-
Index, and Showalter Index which has the value that supported the MCC phenomenon happened in
West Papua. This phenomenon also caused heavy rainfall in some region. The maximum rainfall
occurred in Sorong of 27 mm/hour.

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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by School of Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics (STMKG). The
authors would like to thank to the college for funding our research and provide open source data for
analysis to be used in this paper. The author also thanked the lecturers who helped provide corrections
in the preparation of this study.