UWCTC Captures Developing Severe Convection in SE Kansas

CTC captured developing convection that eventually turned severe in the ICT WFO.  The initial and only UWCTC cooling rate was diagnosed to be strong at approximately ~-22K/15 min (see Figure 1) during the 2332 UTC scan. 

Figure 1.  UWCTC over visible imagery valid at 2332 UTC.  The cooling rate was ~22K/15 min.

The base scan radar imagery out of ICT at 2329 UTC had a precipitation core on radar with approximately 50 dBZ radar reflectivity (Figure 2).  No severe warning was issued at that time (The warning shown on the screen near the echo was issued at a later time).

Figure 2.  Radar imagery from ICT WFO.  Storm of interest is NE of radar site.

A severe warning was issued by the ICT WFO at 0016 UTC for this storm with the threat of quarter size hail and strong winds (Figure 3).  No hail reports were received as of this blog entry for verification of this severe warning.

Figure 3.  SVR from ICT concerning storm of interest.

Figure 4 shows radar imagery valid at 0032 UTC for the same storm.  Notice the stronger reflectivity in the core of the storm.  The strong UWCTC rate had a lead time of ~45 minutes over the severe warning that was issued.  Again, no hail reports were received so far.

Figure 4.  ICT base reflectivity valid at 0032 UTC.