Zoomed out from the single radar (KMXX) in this case there is a lot of convergence going on along the line of thunderstorms but in this view you might not notice that a small circulation has formed in the velocity data. There is no obvious reflectivity signature but there is a local max in the AzShear Data – in this cased the Merged AzShear 0-2km AGL data. Lets investigate that further. 

Zooming into the Merged Maxima you can now see a clear couplet in the SRM velocity data. And the pink tornado track line does confirm a tornado formed at this point. This is an example where on a broad scale the Merged Product (and the single radar as well) provided some Situational Awareness to a tornado that was not visible on the single KMXX velocity very readily.

Based on a rough guestimate a warning off of the Merged AzShear data would have given an additional 2-4 minute lead time to when the tornado formed in this case. An added bonus is that the Merged AzShear product decreased in intensity as the tornado dissipated just a few minutes later (see below). Going later in time the Merged AzShear does increase again, but the KMXX velocity couple remains rather diffuse and broad. The circulation does go onto later produce a tornado so the Merged AzShear product is at least indicating this is an area to keep monitoring. It is possible other local radars like KEOX, just to the south of this storm would have a better view of the couplet/storm.

-Alexander T.