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2023 Short/Medium Range Severe Weather Discussion


Chicago Storm
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Currently 47/45 at Cedar Rapids.  You wouldn't think it would still be tornadic by the time it approaches there, but who knows.  Tornadoes can and do occur every so often with temps/dews in the 40s, and it's probably in these kind of setups that feature plentiful cold air aloft/steep lapse rates.

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14 minutes ago, Hoosier said:

Currently 47/45 at Cedar Rapids.  You wouldn't think it would still be tornadic by the time it approaches there, but who knows.  Tornadoes can and do occur every so often with temps/dews in the 40s, and it's probably in these kind of setups that feature plentiful cold air aloft/steep lapse rates.

Yeah, it's nearing 60º south of I-80, but only mid 40s at my house.  The cell is weakening as it moves into CR.  

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19 minutes ago, Hoosier said:

Currently 47/45 at Cedar Rapids.  You wouldn't think it would still be tornadic by the time it approaches there, but who knows.  Tornadoes can and do occur every so often with temps/dews in the 40s, and it's probably in these kind of setups that feature plentiful cold air aloft/steep lapse rates.

There's a very narrow axis of 50-54 DP's that have been feeding in, and that was likely just enough to make the magic happen.

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Have been wondering if there was some sort of MVC in E IA, as that whole complex has been spiraling on radar for a while.

Upon further review, it looks like that E IA complex is tied to the vort max in the trough moving through. So when combined with the narrow corridor of 50-54 DP's (And the other solid environmental factors), this is probably why we have seen production with there and not much happening anywhere else.

image.png.d548c7ab745101de61d89ece75adf3e7.png

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Looking at forecast soundings from that area, you can see the difference that temps/dews around 50 makes.  There's up to a few hundred J/kg MLCAPE in those areas, which drops toward zero in areas with temps/dews that are just a few degrees lower.  These events ride such a fine line.

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1 minute ago, Hoosier said:

Looking at forecast soundings from that area, you can see the difference that temps/dews around 50 makes.  There's up to a few hundred J/kg MLCAPE in those areas, which drops toward zero in areas with temps/dews that are just a few degrees lower.  These events ride such a fine line.

Check out the 0-3km CAPE. This was about as thread the needle as you can get severe weather wise.

image.png.b12523fbaa0df613bf8f00a4fec6b57f.png

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14 minutes ago, cyclone77 said:

The way winters are going anymore I think we'll be seeing more January naders in coming years.

I'd have to agree with this.  When you think about it, what are the usual limiting factors for severe wx with northward extent at this time of year?  Moisture and instability.  A warmer GOM (on average) would tend to lead to better poleward moisture transport... and even small changes can make a difference in a severe setup.  I don't think it's likely to result in January severe wx becoming really common north of 40N, but I'm gonna bet that it won't be 56 years until the next January tornadoes in Iowa.

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I didn't end up chasing Iowa on Monday since there wasn't the model uptrend in moisture that always seems to happen with these cold season events. Of course, it still dropped a wedge. :lol: These cold core setups almost never look "good" but man do they manage to produce.

Looks like Ohio is next up in the cold core gravy train. I won't be chasing you know that silly parameter space is going to do it. SPC is even giving it a D2 slight!!

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Took a look at tomorrow's setup, and I definitely think there is some tornado potential.  Once again we are looking at marginal moisture (dews may actually remain in the 40s this time in the threat area, unlike Iowa where dews managed to surpass 50) but ample low level CAPE along with good shear.  

The HRRR/RAP are again more bullish than other models with dewpoints.  Observational trends tomorrow will be key.

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1 hour ago, Hoosier said:

Took a look at tomorrow's setup, and I definitely think there is some tornado potential.  Once again we are looking at marginal moisture (dews may actually remain in the 40s this time in the threat area, unlike Iowa where dews managed to surpass 50) but ample low level CAPE along with good shear.  

The HRRR/RAP are again more bullish than other models with dewpoints.  Observational trends tomorrow will be key.

In Ohio, evening time, there is severe potential for sure as the circulation pushes through. Idk about the Hoosier state

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Looking at forecast soundings from that area, you can see the difference that temps/dews around 50 makes.  There's up to a few hundred J/kg MLCAPE in those areas, which drops toward zero in areas with temps/dews that are just a few degrees lower.  These events ride such a fine line.

You get events they perform with almost no support this time of year but come spring and summer and you can have the best setup ever and nothing happens. Ugh.
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mcd0078.gif

 

Mesoscale Discussion 0078
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   1213 PM CST Thu Jan 19 2023

   Areas affected...Portions of the middle Ohio Valley

   Concerning...Severe potential...Severe Thunderstorm Watch likely 

   Valid 191813Z - 192015Z

   Probability of Watch Issuance...95 percent

   SUMMARY...Potential for scattered strong/severe wind gusts will
   increase this afternoon in parts of the middle Ohio Valley. Though
   more marginal threats, a tornado or two and large hail may also
   occur. A watch is likely in the next hour.

   DISCUSSION...A compact shortwave trough is pivoting around the main
   upper-level low within the Upper-Midwest. Water vapor imagery shows
   this feature moving through central Illinois at present. At the
   surface, a broad area low pressure is present within the lower Great
   Lakes. A secondary cold front is now entering western Indiana with
   visible/infrared satellite indicating some gradual deepening of
   cumulus along the boundary. Temperatures have warmed into the upper
   50s F and lower 60s F seem possible ahead of this activity. Even
   with these warmer temperatures than guidance forecast this morning,
   dewpoints have also mixed out into the low/mid 40s F. The net effect
   should should mean limited buoyancy of 250 to at most 500 J/kg
   MLCAPE.

   The primary concern with convection as it continues to deepen this
   afternoon will be strong to severe wind gusts. Storm motions coupled
   with 40-50 kts in the lowest 3 km (already sampled by KVWX VWP),
   will promote potential for wind gusts of 50-60 kts and isolated
   higher gusts possible. In response to the shortwave trough, some
   slight backing of surface winds has been noted in central Indiana.
   This trend should continue to the east as the wave progresses. As
   such, some potential for isolated tornado activity will exist. -25 C
   temperatures aloft could also promote marginally severe hail.

   ..Wendt/Grams.. 01/19/2023
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