ABQ: UAH CI and UW CTC Victory, 5/22

1745z image indicates developing cumulus over extreme northeast NM.  In the 1830z image, UAH-CI product indicates a cluster of cumulus with a high confidence of convectively initiating.  UW-CTC product also indicates rapid cloud-top cooling with the eastern-most convective element.  Given the deeply mixed airmass with minimal cap, this would lend confidence to convective initiation soon.  Sure enough, by 1915z the 15-minute lightning plot indicates some CG strikes with the eastern-most convective element, with a lead time to convective initiation of over one hour.

1745 UTC

1830 UTC
1910 UTC