EWP Blog

A storm has finally developed over central Lincoln County. MESH close to 1 inch with upper divergence of 13-ish so we will need to monitor for much more strengthening. If so, we will to issue a quick SVR. MRD/RS

The latest run of the OUN WRF is verifying nicely with no significant thunderstorm development. Persistent attempts in the north central Colfax county (elevation around 7500 ft) have amounted to very little.

MESH product has maxed out at 0.08″. Both the KABX and KFDX have had a 40 dbz echo that is gone up to about 30kft.

We’re not hopeful with much development east of the mountains, based on atmospheric conditions and +3 hour OUN WRF forecasts (convection is expected to be more in Amarillo’s CWA by that time). Here is the 0030z forecast based off the 20z OUN WRF:

Storm just north of the Davis Mts has seen rapid intensification.  Here is the Warning…

Tim/Jeff

The Cloud Top Cooling product has picked up on the cell north of the Davis Mountains.  The CTC rate was modest at -12.5 degrees/15 minutes near the apex of northern Jeff Davis County at 2030z.

Tim/Jeff

While waiting for deep convection to fire, I decided to study each CTC detection < -10C/15min beginning with data from 1815 UTC, about when shallow convection was developing over the Nrn NM front range.

Between 1815 and 2045 UTC, I logged 8 CTC detections < -10C/15min. The first 4, between 1830 and 1915 UTC had no reflectivity > 35 dBZ develop within 90 minutes of the detection. The fifth detection at 1930 UTC over NW Colfax had a -18C/15min value and 5-10 minutes later showed composite reflectivity around 40 dBZ but never intensified further.  Still awaiting the 90 minute window for any reflectivity or MESH > 1″ to develop near the detection.

Caveats to any conclusion is that this mini-mini-study is soley dependent on the environment today over northeast NM. The CTC algorithm may work better in more favorable environments for deep convection.

SNELSON

The simulated IR imagery for the ABQ CWA has initiated well with convection over Lincoln Co developing between 19-20z and the overall cirrus shield over the sw US.

Fcst valid at 13 Jun 20z:

GOES IR 13 Jun1959z:

FDX 0.5 Z 13 Jun 2003z

Will be watching for new convection in eastern Torrence Co and western Guadalupe co by 2100z.

CIRA Sim IR valid at 2100z:

GOES IR 13 Jun 2059z:

FDX 0.5 Z 13 Jun 2103z

CIRA Sim IR valid at 2200z:

GOES IR 13 Jun 2159z:

FDX 0.5 Z 13 Jun 2201z

Overall, CIRA Simulated imagery did very well with convection location and timing.

The 19z run of the OUNWRF is doing well initializing the storm development at 20z. Then, it goes nuts with the wind potential by 22z with 20-25 m/s max wind gusts with mediocre looking type cells. Not sure what to think about this, but if nothing else it may imply that we may need to take a closer look at wind today vs yesterday. MRD/RZ

Forecast models are pointing toward the Davis Mountains region for convective initiation. The latest OUN WRF is again early with convective initiation east of Fort Davis around 20z.

HRRR model shows the same location but just a bit later, between 20 and 21z.

Visible satellite image at 1930z shows quite a bit of mid-level clouds but there was an isolated higher strength of signal for convective initiation south of Alpine.  Higher moisture was located just east of the Davis Mountains with lower to mid 60s dewpoint temperatures west of the Pecos River.

EWP 2012 – Tim/Jeff

Will need to watch the storm over Lincoln County. CTC product shows -31c/15min with the storm and it is moving into very stout instability as it moves off the terrain. Will probably warn if we start to see better radar returns aloft. MRD/RS

Update at 2045 — Looks like the “storm” over Lincoln County has nearly dissipated as it exited to the east. Looks like the CTC gave us a false alarm — probably due to the echo developing on the terrain. Will see if this can develop better as it moves east (although the OUNWRF and HRRR would suggest not).

First echoes on the KABX radar is matching up well with the 18z run of the OUN WRF. Timing and placement are very close to reality.

The KABX radar at the same time:

CI and Cloud top cooling products are showing strong returns on the elevation. We’ll see if they pan out.

Unfortunately, if the OUN WRF is correct, only a few storms will develop and move east this afternoon/evening.