CIMSS vertical theta-e difference product with ongoing strong to severe storms

refl_theta-e_diff_13_05_2330Z

Despite moving atop an increasingly dry boundary layer (ref. to dewpoint readings in the mid to upper thirties), the strong to severe thunderstorms keep their strength. The GOES vertical theta-e difference (low-mid) product highlights the moist and unstable air mass nicely with 500-1000 J/kg (another product) present. In fact the thunderstorms really increased in strength when approaching and eventually crossing that plume of unstable air. For this event, the product by CIMMS helped a lot to get a feeling about how supportive the air mass stratification would be ahead of the thunderstorm despite decreasing boundary layer moisture. In the near future we should see a potential increase of a downburst risk with inverted-V profiles to the E/SE of the storm. A marginal hail risk continues with that storm.   Helge

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