TERMS TO KNOW:
Hodograph: A device measuring distance from its starting point as the device ascends through the atmosphere on a weather balloon. Circular shapes can indicate rotation in the atmosphere.
EHI: A combination of spinning and helicity to make for, in my eyes, the best attempt to forecast where apt tornado conditions may be.
CAPE: Instability. Values above 1000 j/kg can be conductive for thunderstorms.
Prognosis--
SPC has lowered tornado threat and eliminated the 10% tornado risk. At the same time, the 5% tornado risk area has expanded north.
The main issue is that this tornado threat, in my eyes, may still be needed.
Latest 18z NAM is indicating high values of EHI (spinning+instability equation that can help determine a tornadic atmosphere) present on the Oklahoma Arkansas border. At that same time, storms should be just beginning to enter that area, with the 18z NAM projecting these storms to be fairly weak. However, this weakness is likely understated- At the point in time in question, the squall line will be not be a line yet, but it will be a weakly put together line of separate storm cells. Judging by forecast high EHI values and CAPE above 1000 j/kg, this should be an interesting night.
Here's a comparison for forecast hodographs of the 18z NAM (left) and the 12z GFS (right). While the models are on different runs, I have affixed them to be at the same forecast time.
The 18z NAM is honestly pretty concerning, with two roughly circular shapes present in the forecast. To start off with the whole hodograph is concerning, as the hodograph shows a half circle shape before suddenly turning into two tight bands of circles. The sudden changeover to the circles makes me think that there may be too strong winds in the atmosphere to create a robust tornado, but that is dashed after the hodograph reveals the circular formations, both of which are likely indicative of a rotational motion in the atmosphere.
The 12z GFS is much more modest, having the hodograph take a similar half-circle-sudden-change path, but where the NAM shows the circles, the GFS shows it's attempt to make a circle, but believes that winds will be too tight for rotation to be shown. After that, the GFS hodograph shows it going off the screen but likely making a near full circle shape. Again, that is one of the more concerning features of this hodograph.
Hodograph: A device measuring distance from its starting point as the device ascends through the atmosphere on a weather balloon. Circular shapes can indicate rotation in the atmosphere.
EHI: A combination of spinning and helicity to make for, in my eyes, the best attempt to forecast where apt tornado conditions may be.
CAPE: Instability. Values above 1000 j/kg can be conductive for thunderstorms.
Prognosis--
SPC has lowered tornado threat and eliminated the 10% tornado risk. At the same time, the 5% tornado risk area has expanded north.
The main issue is that this tornado threat, in my eyes, may still be needed.
Latest 18z NAM is indicating high values of EHI (spinning+instability equation that can help determine a tornadic atmosphere) present on the Oklahoma Arkansas border. At that same time, storms should be just beginning to enter that area, with the 18z NAM projecting these storms to be fairly weak. However, this weakness is likely understated- At the point in time in question, the squall line will be not be a line yet, but it will be a weakly put together line of separate storm cells. Judging by forecast high EHI values and CAPE above 1000 j/kg, this should be an interesting night.
The 18z NAM is honestly pretty concerning, with two roughly circular shapes present in the forecast. To start off with the whole hodograph is concerning, as the hodograph shows a half circle shape before suddenly turning into two tight bands of circles. The sudden changeover to the circles makes me think that there may be too strong winds in the atmosphere to create a robust tornado, but that is dashed after the hodograph reveals the circular formations, both of which are likely indicative of a rotational motion in the atmosphere.
The 12z GFS is much more modest, having the hodograph take a similar half-circle-sudden-change path, but where the NAM shows the circles, the GFS shows it's attempt to make a circle, but believes that winds will be too tight for rotation to be shown. After that, the GFS hodograph shows it going off the screen but likely making a near full circle shape. Again, that is one of the more concerning features of this hodograph.
4 comments:
Hello Andrew. SPC issued a tornado watch for part of Nebraska. I think the Southern storms are really going to fire up soon. The thing that worries me, and I am sure you, the most is the nightime tornado threat. Are you using a NAM/GFS blend? That is what I am using along with models like the RUC and other short range models. Keep up the good work!!!! You have been on top of this threat several days now. Great job! Ohio valley and areas south look like the next target. I am thinking wind as the prime danger. SPC is onto that. 30% risk. I bet you do the same thing I do in spring and summer. Go onto the SPC site several times a day every day.
I'm not an expert on severe weather but I'm noticing these cells in the current Tornado Watch, issued by the NWS, are pretty condensed/strong and putting down some good rain. Looking quickly at The Weather Channel's radar map, some areas are seeing 1/2-1 inch of rain in the matter of a half hour. Also, if I'm not mistaken, I think I saw a tornado warning somewhere in the Tornado Watch area for a few minutes.
- Reid
Eastern WX: I have not blended the models just yet- I will soon, though. Yes, wind looks to be a pretty high threat with this storm system.
Reid: Yes, there was a tornado warning a short time ago.
Andrew, I notice your keeping an eye on the severe weather threat. Same here! My severe weather season hasn't started, yet. But I agree 150% that it will be rough. "Storm chasing away," will be the motto.
Post a Comment