What are mesoscale processes?

A mesoscale process is like a small storm that happens inside a bigger weather system, imagine it’s like a mini-tornado in the middle of a big wind.

Think about a playground during recess. Most kids are just running around, playing tag or swinging on the swings. But sometimes, a group of kids all decide to play soccer right in the middle of the playground, that small crowd becomes a mesoscale process inside the bigger picture of the whole playground.

This soccer game might make the rest of the playground feel a little more crowded and noisy, just like how a mesoscale process can change the weather around it. For example, during a big thunderstorm, a smaller storm, maybe with its own lightning or heavy rain, could be happening nearby. That’s the mesoscale part.

Even though these little storms are small, they can have a big effect on what you feel outside. Maybe you were just about to go out and play, but then a sudden rain shower shows up, that's your mesoscale process in action!