The Storm Prediction Center has deleted the outline for severe weather on Wednesday into Thursday as the zonal flow of the jet stream ('zonal', meaning the jet stream is moving on the US/Canada border) is progressing several disturbances that are all equally hard to track. However, I still believe there is a severe weather risk associated with this potential.
What we see here is a chart of 925mb dewpoints for 7:00 PM CDT on May 2nd. What I do when I see high dewpoints is look for equally heightened temperatures to indicate that the area in question is indeed under a warm sector of air- one that may produce strong to severe storms. As you can see, the GFS model has a wide swath of high dewpoints from Oklahoma to the Ohio Valley. However, I am more concerned with particularly the Midwest and South Plains, due to what seems to be almost a propulsion of higher dewpoints directly from Texas to the Midwest. I am concerned with the Southern Plains due to the extreme dewpoint gradient in western Texas and Oklahoma.
As explained, high dewpoints can indicate instability. The image above is instability values, and you can see just how intense this could get, with widespread values over 2000 units, sufficient for severe weather. As I had mentioned earlier, there appears to be a stream of high dewpoints from Texas directly into the Midwest. This is directly reciprocated into instability values from Oklahoma into Missouri and Illinois. I worry that early showers and storms may depress instability values, but it does appear that enough instability could be in place for some stronger storms later on.
Let's take a look at the GFS/ECMWF comparison of 850mb temperatures. First is the GFS, next is the ECMWF. Both are valid at 7:00 PM CDT May 2nd.
A comparison reveals that the ECMWF involves a hotter warm sector than the GFS does. This additional warm air could very well mean that the ECMWF is positioning the severe threat higher than the GFS is. However, due to the restriction of many ECMWF graphics, I am unable to confirm this.
In summary, just because the SPC has removed the risk does not mean the risk is not there, because I do believe it is based on what I have shown above.
Andrew
Let's take a look at the GFS/ECMWF comparison of 850mb temperatures. First is the GFS, next is the ECMWF. Both are valid at 7:00 PM CDT May 2nd.
In summary, just because the SPC has removed the risk does not mean the risk is not there, because I do believe it is based on what I have shown above.
Andrew
8 comments:
Hello Andrew. Do you expect the severe weather to continue on east into PA and NJ? Thanks. I myself think that Thursday could be the first severe weather outbreak for the Mid Atlantic.
im comfused- yesterday it was looking like things could get pretty nasty here in michigan on wednesday. Now the threat has moved to the plains?
The SPC discussion showed that the threat was there, there were just too many model uncertainties.
Ya, Anonymous #2, I expect a slight risk out tomorrow. Michigan still looks in the threat zone.
The CAPE is there. Shear looks decent too. My call, from Northern Plains, straight east to the Mid Atlantic. Sources: 12z ECMWF, GEFS. Will mix in SREF too.
Eastern Wx: Considering the potentially extremely large warm sector, it would be possible.
Anonymous #1: The threat would range from the Plains to the Midwest. Michigan would still be included.
Anonymous #2: That is true.
Eastern WX: That sounds like a fair call.
Thanks. Appreciate it. I value your opinion.
Classic hook echoe sout of Lubbock TX. No doubt about it.
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