NUCAPS and GOES LAP CAPE

The NUCAPS sounding data became available around 19Z.  We chose a point along the Nebraska/Kansas state line in a cloud free region.  Overall, the sounding appeared valid.  However, the surface dewpoint and temperatures were around ten degrees too low (in comparison to nearby METAR), producing too little CAPE.  After modifying the surface data, CAPE increased to around 2000 J/kg.  This was much higher than the 800-1200 J/kg values being observed from the GOES LAP data.  Considering the severity of resulting convection, the 2000 J/kg values were likely most representative of the environment.  The first image capture is the original, the second is the modified.GIDnucapsoriginal GIDNUCAPS2

BRICK TAMLIN/ALEXANDERS DARK BAND…Brick, is that TRIDENT?

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ProbSevere and Lightning Jump for SA

I was focused on warnings for two areas of the cwa and completely missed out on this severe thunderstorm. Looking back, using ProbSevere and Lightning Jump data could be useful in maintaining situational awareness while in warning ops.

This first image taken at 2308Z, shows both the lightning jump and ProbSevere not indicating anything significant with this storm.

20150506_2308Z_LJ_PS

But jumping ahead to 5 minutes to 2313Z, there was a 2 sigma lightning jump as the ProbSevere rises to around 50%.

20150506_2313Z_LJ_PS

Then, at 2323Z the ProbSevere was up to 77% and there was a 1 sigma lightning jump.

20150506_2323Z_LJ_PS

The storm likely went severe shortly after that and a warning was issued later. Having a screen dedicated to those products could be useful in maintaining awareness where there were numerous warnings out. -SRF

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ProbSevere success with linear storms in GID area

Multicell structure became more linear late this afternoon and although ProbSevere is more successful with individual cells, it still highlighted probabilities over 80% for many scans. Some cells possessed tornadic signatures in velocity/SRM while others contained large hail cores aloft. The higher probabilities definitely coincided with both hail/tornadoes in this line.

ProbSevereLine_2324Z_050615

Brick Tamland/Veronica Corningstone aka Alexander Darkband

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Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Ellsworth KS

Issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Ellsworth county storm based on base data showing a 60 dBz core to 29.5kft and 50 dBz core to 37kft which resulted in a VIL the next volume scan of 60-65 kg/m2.  The ENI flash rate was minimal showing only 12 flashes at the time I started to write the warning and the ProbSevere was showing on 12%.  DTA_ProbSvr_2302

About 7 minutes later the ProbSevere jumped up to 81% but was not helpful in issuing the warning.

Jack Bauer

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Large hail probability

Prob of SVR showed 3+ inch hail probability (MESH) since 2230z. Warning issued with core of storm just south of the CWA and massive hail spike.

P.S. Tornado warning in effect for this county. Just north of the building.

large hail

Lynford

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