Storms in the EWX CWA early in the shift were generally remaining sub-severe, with what looked to be heavy rain as the dominant threat. The first two loops (below), the storms were riding right along the gradient of the PWATs and CAPE. (continues below)

As the cluster of storms reached the eastern edge of a greater area of instability (below), the concern then turned to how much of the instability would be tapped into and how storms would react, with the thought that they’d likely become more robust. (continues below)

Attention was then turned to how the GLM was observing the evolution of the stronger cluster of storms within the northeastern portion of the CWA. I created a four-panel display, with MFA overlaid onto the mesosector visby imagery (upper left, below), clean IR with TOE overlaid (upper right; I had blinking enabled to capture the highest fJ, but is unseen in this GIF), Event Density with Group Centroid Density overlaid (bottom right, below), and FED with Flash Centroid Density overlaid (bottom right, below). It was fascinating to watch how the lightning unfolded with this particular cluster, and the MFA in particular immediately drew my eye to the storms moving toward the FWD CWA border. The smaller flashes began to blossom and expand out, which then had me look at the TOE and density products. The density products ramped up, but what I found the most interesting is that the MFA seemed to give me that initial clue that this storm was in fact tapping into some of the higher instability and allowing for the updraft(s) to intensify.

I then proceeded to take a look at the MRMS LL AzShear product (below), wistfully wishing I could look at the single radar version of this product. Sure enough, a clear signature developed, highlighting the amplifying wind within this cluster.

Last but not least, looking at ProbSevere, the ProbWind product picked up well on this signature, highlighted below.

Conclusion: I’m continuing to see some promise that there’s something to look deeper into with respect to these additional lightning products, particularly the MFA when used in combination of something like the Event or Flash Extend Density products. There seemed to be a good correlation with the TOE, as anticipated, but I’m still unsure about its utility as a stand-alone product. As for the Average Flash Area, I didn’t even pull it up given the limited amount of screen space I had and what I saw yesterday, with the AFA in particular not giving me hope of being able to gather good info/lead time in comparison to the MFA.

~Gritty

Side note: Had some excellent conversation with the GLM expert in the room and as we were talking and analyzing some of these products, it was noticed that there was quite an extensive channel, lightning that shot out well to the north of this cluster of focus. These GLM products could provide beneficial information when providing DSS to partners, such as letting partners and the public know not to go back outside just because there’s either light rain or the storm had already passed.