Trailing Stratiform (TS): when the stratiform precipitation trails the MCS. This type is favored when the upper-level winds are from the front to the rear of the system. They are forward propagating and tend to move faster than the mean flow.
Leading Stratiform (LS): when the stratiform precipitation falls downwind of the MCS. It is favored when the system-relative upper-level winds are from the rear to the front of the storm. The system propagates rearward and tends to move slower than the mean upper flow.
Rear Inflow: more common in TS storms and forms in response to removal of mass in the mid levels of the storm.
Wake Low: found behind the cold pool and forms in response to latent heating within the large stratiform region and adiabatic heating of the rear inflow.
Mesoscale Convective Vortices (MCVs): form in response to the widespread release of latent heat in the storm. This decreases density of the air mass and pressure falls which promotes the development of a week cyclonic wind field. The circulation is strongest in the mid-levels in these warm-core features.
MCS Propagation: systems generally move with the 500mb wind direction at 40% of the 500mb wind speed. Individual cells move with the 0 to 6 km shear vector.