BIS: 3D-VAR Max Updraft & Max Divergence…Good “Heads Up”

Posted in Live Blogs on by Greg Stumpf.

It’s becoming increasingly evident that 3D-VAR’s maximum composite updraft and max divergence above 8km can be utilized as a good “head’s up” display of the largest storms on the scope.  This can be seen in the image below.

Cluster of storms ESE of BIS on the evening of 5/22. Upper left (base reflectivity), upper right (max divergence above 8km), lower right (max composite updraft speed).