When using ENI data, forecasters must have a good handle on the “typical” amount of lightning displayed in “average” storms. There have been numerous severe storms in MAF cwa, but they have been low on lightning strikes. We opted to configure DTAs manually today triggering alerts for 75 strikes per minute. As a result of our new configured rate, we had very few DTAs and the DTAs that were triggered were accurate. However, this high threshold also missed a few severe thunderstorms in the southern portion of the cwa.  There must be local guidance given within each office on where DTAs should be set in order to be most productive with its use.

This photo shows DTAs in north part of MAF cwa, however it is actively missing severe thunderstorms producing hail that are ongoing in the southern portion of the cwa. UFFSU