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Severe Thunderstorms in the Central U.S.; Heavy Rain in the Southwest

Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible in parts of the Midwest and the south-central Plains. Heavy rainfall pose a risk of flash flooding in the Desert Southwest and northeast New Mexico, especially in burn scars, and in the urban corridor of southeast Florida. Read More >

Automatically generated image showing areas of the significant tornado parameter.

 

Thumbnail of an automatically generated image showing areas of the significant tornado parameter. Thumbnail of an automatically generated image showing areas of the significant tornado parameter. Thumbnail of an automatically generated image showing areas of the significant tornado parameter.
Hour - 1 Hour - 2 Hour -3

4 Panel Display | Animated Loop

Significant Tornado (SigTor) 

A composite index that includes 0-6 km bulk wind shear, 0-1 km storm-relative helicity, surface based CAPE, surface parcel CIN, and surface parcel LCL height. Values greater than 1 are indicative of increased potential of significant tornadoes.

The contours are the Lifted Condensation Level or LCL.  A lower LCL typically increases tornadic risk because it is indicative of air parcel acceleration occurring closer to the surface. 

 

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