Using the OCTANE speed sandwich we were able to quickly assess the SPC mesoanalysis of upper level winds entering our CWA. The SPC mesoanalysis indicated upper level winds of around 100 kt spreading through the Big Bend part of TX ahead of an upper level trough. This analysis was quickly confirmed by the OCTANE speed sandwich data. High cirrus was streaming into the region ahead of ongoing convection and was sampled at 105 kt in the OCTANE data. This real time analysis supports the objective analysis by SPC and yields higher confidence in the data.

We were tasked with monitoring convection across the SJT CWA with an ongoing DSS event in San Angelo. While convection remained to our west and east, there were a few thunderstorms that developed across the northern part of our CWA. We did not have radar data, but were able to use OCTANE speed/direction products to assess storm strengthening trends though the afternoon. In combination with the GREMLIN radar emulation, we were confident in our assessment of storm strength even without supporting radar/MRMS data.

Image 3: The two storms of concern are to the north of San Angelo and are noticeable in the speed/direction imagery. There were a couple notable periods of cloud top cooling and increased divergence, but the uniformity in the mid/upper level wind speeds and direction increases confidence that these storms are either maintaining intensity or weakening.

Image 4: The GREMLIN data showing two distinct cells across the northern part of the CWA. These storms maintained intensity for about 30 minutes without any noticeable change in the OCTANE data. As the OCTANE wind speeds decreased, the GREMLIN data showed that the storms diminished overall.

These two products (OCTANE speed/direction and GREMLIN) used together can increase confidence in warning/decision making, particularly in the absence of radar/MRMS data. While there are some latency concerns with GREMLIN, further testing of these data should be continued.