Another significant lightning jump occurred in west Texas (Midland CWA) around 2134Z (434 PM CDT). The jump was 4 sigma – shaded red below.

A time series reveals this was the first in a series of jumps.

The second jump around 22Z was 2 sigma. A loop of the 0.5 deg reflectivity shows the cell intensifying after the lightning jumps occurred. The max Z at the 0.5 deg tilt increaed from around 63 dBZ to around 71 dBZ in 8 minutes, or two volume scans.

(click image to animate)

In this case, the lightning jump is a good indicator of imminent storm intensification.

-V Darkbloom