With severe storms expected across parts of Texas on April 1 (SPC Slight Risk for Severe), NWS Southern Region requested GOES-East RSO. Mesoscale Sector 1 was shifted to cover the Texas Slight. By early afternoon, it became apparent that convection would develop near a surface triple point, where a stalled front, dryline, and warm/moist frontal boundary met.
The region of imminent convective initiation was obvious by 1945Z in the 1-min GOES-16 0.64 um visible satellite imagery. North of the warm front were stable wave cloud formations, while west of the dryline was clear. The cumulus field near the surface triple point became increasingly agitated (towering cu) where warm/moist advection had occurred all morning. Convective initiation was apparent in the 1-min visible imagery by 2020Z, and developed quickly thereafter.
A noted benefit of the 1-min imagery has been an enhanced ability to analyze trends in cumulus cloud fields prior to convective initiation, and earlier detection of convective initiation. Below is a comparison of GOES-16 0.5 km, 0.64 um 1-min, 5-min, and 15-min imagery. The 1-min imagery appears smooth, trends in the cu field easy to diagnose, and initiation spotted as it occurs. Going to 5-min and then 15-min imagery, the animation is increasingly choppy, making cu field trends not as easily followed, and identification of initiation delayed.
Click link for full resolution: https://satelliteliaisonblog.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/20170401_severe_time_3p_4-2.gif
– Bill Line, NWS
“The GOES-16 data posted on this page are preliminary, non-operational data and are undergoing testing. Users bear all responsibility for inspecting the data prior to use and for the manner in which the data are utilized.”
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