Thursday, May 24, 2018

CI Probability: Some questions (and another potential use)

We've evaluated CI Probability products this week, with some mixed results, but that has me thinking (which, as my wife will attest, is usually not a good thing)...

Have CI developers noted any correlations between the % shown and how quickly cells with reflectivity values > 35 dBZ develop?

One of my co-evaluators noted a small area of 90% CI Prob yesterday and within a few minutes, a strong cell developed.

I have observed several areas where there were consecutive CI Prob % in the 40-70 range within which convective cells developed, but that process took a little longer, closer to 20-35 mins.

It may seem intuitive that a 90% CI Prob area would generate convective cells quicker than an area where the CI Prob potential is in the 40-70% range, but is this really the case? Maybe this is one use for the CI Prob product that could/should be explored further.

And, how long does an area need to be highlighted with a decent (50%) CI Prob before a forecaster should be confident enough in the development of a cell with reflectivity values > 35 dBZ? Our evaluation group hasn't been able to answer that question during this week of testing.

- Thomas Bell

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