UW CTC Highlights Most Rapid Development of Convective Line

The UW Cloud-Top Cooling (CTC) rate cannot only be used to nowcast convection initiation, but also highlight the most rapid vertical growth along a line of developing convective clouds. Below is the GOES visible imagery/UW CTC valid at 1732 UTC 31 May 2011 and base radar reflectivity at the same time. The entire line of towering cumulus over central Michigan looks similar on visible imagery, but the UW CTC highlights (green circle) the most rapidly growing and hence precipitating portion of the line (also green circle).