GLM Data on Rapidly Developing Storm

[00:30 UTC] Storms continue to maintain (if not increase) their strength as their pivot north and northeast through the Billings CWA. Of particular interest is the rapid increase in GLM flash extent density collocated with smaller average flash area and high total energy with a quickly-developing and strengthening updraft. The increase in flash event density also aided in the decision to put out a warning for the storm (particularly given the environment), even as ProbSevere values were below 50% (but increasing). With just ProbSevere or just GLM, or just CTT data to look at, confidence would be lower than when taking in all of the datasets together.

Fig. 1: Flash extent density, average flash area, high total energy, and IR for rapidly developing thunderstorms.

Fig. 2: Cloud top temperatures cooling near location of updraft.

Rosie Red