A Mesoscale Convective Complex (MCC) is a MCS that meets the following
satellite-based criteria established by Maddox (1980)
Size: A. cloud shief with continously low IR temperature < -32oC must have an area > 100,000 km2 (half the size of the State of Kansas)OR
B. interior cold cloud region with temperature < -52oC must have an area > 50,000 km2
Duration: size definitions A and B must be met for a period of 6 hours or more
Maximum Extent: contiguous cold-cloud shiefd (IR temperature < -32oC) reaches maximum size
Shape: eccentricity (minor axis/major axis) > 0.7 at time of maximum extent
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