A squall line or quasi-linear convective system (QLCS) is a line of thunderstorms forming along or ahead of a cold front. A squall line contains heavy precipitation, hail, frequent lightning, strong straight line winds, and possibly tornadoes. Storms with squall lines are often severe. Waterspouts are possible if a squall line impacts coastal areas. Strong straight-line winds can occur where the squall line is in the shape of a bow echo. Tornadoes can occur along waves within a line echo wave pattern (LEWP), where mesoscale low pressure areas are present. Tornadoes can quickly spin up along the leading edge of a squall line it happens frequently very quickly they are often brief but can cause significant damage in a matter of seconds. Often the rotation shows on radar in one scan and it is gone the next. When tornadoes happen quickly with squall lines there is sometimes not a tornado warning issued prior to it touching down instead a widespread area of severe thunderstorm warnings are issued for winds up to 60 or at times 70 mph so make sure you take severe thunderstorm warnings seriously as well. Some bow echoes which develop within the summer season season are known as derechos, and they move quite fast through large sections of the country. On the back edge of the rainband associated with mature squall lines, a wake low can be present, sometimes associated with a heat burst.
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