CPTI/AzShear anomaly

AzShear increased ahead of an approaching tornadic storm. At the same time the CPTI product also indicated an enhanced probability in the same area. Velocity data in the lowest few tilts became suspicious along the radials ahead of the storm as PRFs struggled to improve range folding.

— SCoulomb

Visible and GLM for developing supercell

Two supercells developed in far southwest Oklahoma along 0-3km CAPE gradient.  At 1957Z ProbSVR Hail 10% Wind 39% Tor 3%, then 6 minutes later at 2003Z ProbSRV Hail 63% Wind 75% Tor 5% on the southern storm.  GLM Total Optical Energy in lower left image performed well with the increase in lightning activity for both supercells.  -Jake Johnson

CPTI Usefulness

Here’s a look at some attempts to use the CPTI for storm carrying a theoretical tornado warning. I have a fair number of thoughts on the product. In terms of a primary application. I think it would be best suited to the first update/continuation on a tornado warning. Basically allowing you to chose what types of language to use…if the CPTI is picking up on a very high intensity circulation than you are going to want to ramp up the intensity of the wording within a warning. This could be used to communicate how dangerous a storm is. Especially since the damage associated with a 80mph circulation will be drastically different from a 170+ mph circulation.

Now for areas that I would improve/and or change. The CPTI might be better off using a category scale/range of values. Intuitively, I would expect probabilities to increase if the storm is more intense. I.E. if the circulation is 155mph then I might expect the 80mph CPTI to be close to say 80% while the 155 mph CPTI is something like 50%. If the tornado intensifies maybe the 80mph CPTI would increase to something like 95% while the 155 mph CPTI increases to a value such as 75%. Currently, there are a lot of very similar values as the image below shows 80, 95, 110, and 125 mph all have pretty much the same value within 3% of one another. I would want there to be a much larger variance in these values, so that I  could easily gauge , how intense the tornado is. I think CPTI has a  great potential, but I would change it so that it was more of an probability of exceedence  scale and could be used as a quick product to determine intensity wording in products.

South Beach

 

Underwhelming ProbHail

ProbHail on the storm in southwest MO seemed to be too low based on other derived parameters (MESH/Hail Index) and storm structure. ProbHail was consistently 70-75%. It was explained that the hail cape (~750 J/kg), the EBShear (47kt) and lightning (29 flash/min) were relatively lower than one would expect given the environment. Justin showed the parameter space for each of the ingredients and how they were weighting down the overall ProbHail due to the ratios being <1.

— SCoulomb

Situational Awareness Smorgasbord

Beginning to see CI in the southwest portion of OUN’s CWA. ProbSevere has progged a 3-4% tornado probability for two areas: the SW storm and a few weaker/young storms in the central CWA. GLM minimum flash area along with total optical energy clearly indicate that the SW storm is the most promising of the two with more persistent updraft(s). Subsequently, 0-2km merged AzShear has perked up with the storm in the southwestern portion of the CWA. Given the storm’s favorable environment (ample 0-3km CAPE, bulk shear, and SRH), this storm warrants watching. Based upon the combination of GLM data, ProbSevere/AzShear, and 1 minute satellite imagery, a forecaster can quickly hone in on the most pressing storms at the moment.

–Stanley Cupp

1937z KFDR base reflectivity with ProbSevere overlays (double contour –> tornado prob progged)

Top left: MRMS RALA; Top right: visibile sat plus 1 minute minimum flash area; Bottom left: 5 minute total optical energy w/ 1 minute updates; Bottom right: 1 minute total optical energy

0-2km merged AzShear

 

 

Figure  1936Z

Thunderstorm developing in southwest Oklahoma along 0-3km CAPE boundary with GLM showing first signs of lightning.  If this storm remains attached to this boundary the environment supports possible tornadic development.  ProbTOR is showing 3% with this early development Figure 1936Z.   -Jake Johnson

 

A positive for AZ-Shear product it does not show range folding like base velocity/SRM products.  Might be useful tip.  -Jake Johnson

 

SC Entering Washington County

This storm has had consistent Azhear max for past several volume scans, but again does not seem to match low-level SRM scans very well. Prob Tor has increased and remained steady at about 75 to 77 % CPTI has remained slightly over 50%. Upgraded SVR to Tor possible. Reflectivity structure suggests increasing organization with well organized ZDR arc arc suggesting increasing SRH. May upgrade to tor shortly given better storm structure in base data. Quick Twip

Meso-analysis for CI

Figure A

Figure B

Watching for new storm development in SW Oklahoma with GOES-16 Vis/IR showing a new storm developing in Figure A.   Area of interest will be in southwest Oklahoma with frontal boundary stalled out and high CAPE from All Sky Layer in Figure B(left image) meanwhile right image shows All Sky Layer PW with RAP13 0-3km CAPE in black contours.  This environment would be favorable for severe weather and possible tornadoes if storm can remain on the frontal boundary.    -Jake Johnson

Advantage of AZ Shear

Favorite part of the Azimuthal shear product so far is it can highlight some areas of the storm that need to be investigating…if you are watching a different storm and want to do a quick look at your CWA this can grab you attention to a storm that needs to be looked at next.

South Beach