OCTANE-Direction

• Distinguish different air masses when they are characterized by different advection regimes
  • Stable cloud streets in magenta (Figure 1)
  • Agitated Cu and deep, moist convection in yellow/green (Figure 1)
• Locate boundaries
  • Identify areas of convergence based on the depicted flow directions
• Suggestion: it would be great to be able to sample the cardinal direction (i.e. NW, SE) in AWIPS in addition to the direction already given in degrees

Figure 1

NUCAPS & PHS

• Attempts at convective initiation failed over Guadalupe County and De Baca County… but why? Isobaric analysis revealed supportive dynamics for ascent south of the already-occurring convection.
  • 700 mb relative humidity and 850 mb humidity data (Figure 2) reveal a sharp moisture gradient across northeastern New Mexico
    • SPC 850 mb Td mesoanalysis verifies this (Figure 3)
  • Dry air was already moving across both counties from the west and was progged to continue over the next few hours, thus hindering convective initiation

Figure 2

Figure 3

– Vort Max