Thursday- Potential for Scattered Severe Storms Likely

Updated Thu 07/27 @ 7:49 AM — The expected high heat and humidity for today has been well-advertised. As mentioned last night, the potential for scattered severe storms (which may form a line) appears to be in the likely category.

Based on a review of last night’s models (00z and 06z runs) a strong mid and upper level wave will move through our extended area between 2 PM and 6 PM with some activity still possible as late as 8 PM.

(There are timing differences in the models. The HRRR has a 4-6PM peak time frame, while the HRDPS has an earlier start time in the northwestern suburbs: 2 PM)

Heavy rain, strong wind gusts, potential hail and a slight-minimal risk of tornadic activity are all possible today.

One way the models estimate the severity is by estimating the height of cumulonimbus clouds (thunderheads). Referred to as “echo tops” in the models, (as measured by radar) typical very strong/severe thunderstorms show echo tops of 38-40,000 feet above ground. Several of last night’s models show echo tops of 45-48,000 feet!

The HREF ensemble model captures this—

Below is today’s Severity Table, based on the 06z HRRR. As mentioned last night, some (but not all) of the parameters are the most extreme I’ve seen this season. (Notably missing is jet stream wind energy.)

As you can see, many parameters put us in the high probability of scattered severe storms. Most notably missing is jet stream wind energy; we’ll see how this impacts the forecast.

Hot Thursday – Potential for Severe Storms

Updated Wed 07/26 @ 9:50 PM —The hot air that’s been in the news affecting the Southwest and Central US this summer will be poking into our area Thursday and Friday.

Additionally, a strong disturbance in the mid and upper levels of the atmosphere will pass through our area between 2PM and 6 PM Thursday. The models are showing extremely high CAPE and precipitable water. Some of these severity parameters are the highest we’ve seen this season.

These disturbances are parameterized by the models as areas of strong positive and negative vorticity. It’s not often to see such strong vorticity couplets intertwined, as shown in the HRDPS below—

Combined with this disturbance, scattered or clustered strong and severe storms will affect our area with localized heavy rain possible during the 2 PM to 6 PM time frame.

Looks to be very interesting. Updates tomorrow morning with the new HRRR.

Wed 5:42 PM Forecast Review — We weren’t as hot today as had been hyped on the TV forecasts, and even this morning’s NBM model (shown here) overshot the actual temperatures. Dew points were only in the high 50s and low 60s at the peak temperatures.

Here’s the RTMA temperatures at recorded at 3:45 PM —

I do think we’ll get closer to the high heat values Thursday and Friday.

Wednesday Update

Updated Wed 07/26 @ 10:05 AM — The latest NBM high temperature for today with statistical spread (uncertainty)—

Wednesday Outlook

Updated Tue 07/25 @ 8:45 PM — For Wednesday, temperatures near 89-90º but dew points in the low 60s will keep heat indices close to the actual temperatures.

For Thursday, actual temperatures go well into the 90s with dew points into the upper 60s to near 70º. A disturbance may cause showers/thunderstorms Thursday afternoon or evening.

Thursday high temps—

Tue 4:02 PM Forecast Review —Little in the way of severe storms, but much more areal coverage and heavy rain than one would have guessed from the several forecasts I heard on the radio which seemed to be only forecasting ” scattered storms” this morning.

Today’s thunderstorms were yet another example where the HRDPS model seems to have done much better than our seemingly more sophisticated HRRR model this summer season. Not sure why.

Tuesday Forecast Update

Updated Tue 07/25 @ 12:36 PM — The storms have broken out even earlier than 2 PM originally forecast—

Updated Tue 07/25 @ 11:26 AM — This morning’s HRRR forecast has much more scattered storms than the NAM-NEST or HIRESW or previous Canadian RGEM/HRDPS. I’m leaning towards greater coverage of storms today. Severe parameter levels are only in the moderate range, but it doesn’t preclude severe activity.

Tuesday Forecast Update

(readers- a half-baked forecast update posted about 15 minutes ago was accidentally published. It’s been deleted.)

Updated Tue 07/25 @ 8:48 AM — A review of the 2AM (06z) HRRR and Canadian RGEM suggests a more toned-down severe forecast. The storms will move in earlier, possibly as early as 2-3PM in the western suburbs and move east. They will be more scattered.

The HRRR model is showing significant areas of CIN (Convective Inhibition) that will persist, making any activity more scattered and less intense.

Additionally, despite the increase in jet stream winds, we are forecast to be in an area called the “left entrance region” of a jet streak, where upper level downward motion reduces the needed upward motion for thunderstorm development.

The latest (06z) Canadian HRDPS shows similar coverage as its forecast yesterday, but its severity parameters are not as high in the immediate PHL area.

The HRDPS shows greater overall rainfall and more coverage than the HRRR—

I’ll update later this morning, if things change.

Tuesday Outlook

Update Mon 7/24 9:47 PM — Tonight’s HRRR model is suggesting increased likelihood of severe weather Tuesday late afternoon. Updates tomorrow morning.

Updated Mon 07/24 @ 8:40 PM — An upper/mid level trough will swing through our area late afternoon on Tuesday. The usual high CAPE values and high instability parameters will be present.

Helicity is not all that high, so no tornadic activity expected. The standard “strong to severe storms” is the forecast at this time.

Expect thunderstorms to move in from the west as early as 3:30 PM far western suburbs peaking in the immediate PHL area about 4:30PM to 6 PM.

The distinguishing feature of tomorrow’s storms will be a very strong jet stream presence. This may increase the likelihood of severe weather and strong wind gusts.

I’ll post a severity parameter table tomorrow morning if it looks like it will be warranted.

Monday Forecast Update

Updated Mon 07/24 @ 10:50 AM — Last night’s early models didn’t capture these showers over Philadelphia this morning. Despite that, they are still maintaining a forecast of most (but not all) shower activity stays to our west.

Current radar/satellite—

Of the models out this morning, the HIRESW-MEM2 is probably capturing the shower activity best today—

Yesterday’s HRDPS did pretty well with its forecast (shown below). Unfortunately, I’m having technical problems downloading the last few runs of the HRDPS right now.

Update Sun 7/23 10:43 PM — Tonight’s early models are keeping the showers to the west of the Pottstown area during the daytime hours Monday.

Previously Posted Sun 9:22 PM —

Low pressure moving off the Carolinas and a wave in the mid and upper atmosphere will set off showers and thunderstorms on Monday. Most of the activity is expected west of the immediate Philadelphia area, but some pop up storms are expected here as well.

The latest HRDPS shows this total accumulation and coverage for the showers. Note there is little activity expected in NJ.

Timing these showers will be difficult, as always. Some are expected in the immediate PHL area early afternoon and again early evening.

Forecast Review

Fri 8:57 AM Forecast Review — The storms came through the immediate PHL area about 4 AM—

While it’s great that no severe weather was reported in our area, it suggests that yesterday’s models had over-stated the severe potential. The general timing was within range, somewhat faster than predicted, especially considering the mesoscale complex line of storms had been moving through central PA at near 30 mph.

As mentioned in my 11:04PM update (below), a few of last night’s 00z had models backed off of the heavy rain. (Actually more than a few- the RAP, HRRR and NAM-NEST, but not the three versions of the HIRESW.)

When dealing with the potential of severe weather, especially late model changes within 6 hours of a weather event, one never knows if any observed late changes in the model forecast are the result of true late changes in conditions or whether they simply reflect inadequate “model spin-up” time.

Such is the state and art of the current numerical weather prediction.

As for today, Friday, a mix of sun and clouds. Some scattered pop-up thundershowers expected from 2 PM to 8 PM as a secondary trough moves through.

Update

Update Thu 7/20 11:04 PM — While a few of tonight’s models have backed off from some of the heavy rain, the high resolution models show some impressively severe dynamics—

HIRESW-FV3. Maximum vertical velocity

Early Friday Morning Storms

Updated Thu 07/20 @ 7:46 PM — A front will move through the Philadelphia area between 3 AM and 8 AM. Strong, possibly severe thunderstorms are possible with this frontal passage. PWATs are in the 2 inch range, meaning heavy rain is possible in a short period of time. Helicity is elevated in NJ – tornadic activity possible. Thunderstorms with hail possible.

Here’s the latest 22 z (6PM) HRRR forecast for 7 AM —

Weak low pressure is expected to form along this front in the Delmarva area, possibly slowing its passage through our area. A secondary trough in the afternoon may bring some additional showers/thunderstorms to some areas.

Severity Parameter Table

As you can see from my Severity Index table, tonight’s storms have the potential of being severe in some areas with heavy rain.

Thursday Outlook Update

Updated Thu 07/20 @ 10:07 AM — Correction/Clarification: Based on the new morning models, the showers/thunderstorms tonight, now expected between 1 AM and 5 AM, will be the result of a warm front. Showers should end in the morning. The associated cold front will move through during later Friday afternoon, with additional scattered storms. More specifics this evening.

Thursday Outlook Update

Updated Thu 07/20 @ 8:56 AM — A cold front is approaching the region today and there’s some uncertainty with the timing of the rain associated with the front that’s expected later tonight.

The GFS and RAP models have an earlier onset of the showers/thunderstorms: about midnight tonight. The HRRR is slower with the rain: It shows some showers overnight but has a large area of rain moving through mid Friday morning. Total rainfall about 0.75 inches.

The HRDPS is similar to the RAP and GFS forecast: the rainfall starts about midnight to 2 AM.

As for the daytime, many models are showing some large areas of cloudiness with breaks of some sun about 2 PM this afternoon. A few very isolated showers possible this afternoon; most areas dry.

More details about the rain/thunderstorms later this evening to follow with an update this evening.

Thursday-Friday Outlook

Updated Wed 07/19 @ 8:47 PM —Tomorrow had been forecast to be rainy, but the latest HRDPS shows little in the way of rain or even pop up showers during the afternoon—

The front expected to move through on Friday, now appears to come through before daybreak Friday with some showers/thunderstorms. Friday is looking better, but maybe some thunderstorms in the late afternoon.

Updated Wednesday Forecast

Updated Wed 07/19 @ 10:48 AM — It appears that some additional showers are developing just to our west this morning in an area that the RAP model showed as having high moisture convergence—

The predominance of models from this morning show showers developing here by 2 PM, as forecast below in in HREF So my earlier attempt using satellite imagery that delayed showers until this evening just may be too primitive and incorrect.

Updated Wed 07/19 @ 9:36 AM — An area of showers is moving away as I write this and the forecast question for today is when and where will the next impulse set off showers?

The forecast you heard on radio/TV is “scattered showers throughout the day”, a tacit acknowledgement that these things can’t be pinned down. And they likely can’t be. (It doesn’t keep me from trying.) Indeed, the freak downpour that occurred near Washington Crossing, Bucks county on Saturday is a perfect example of the sometimes chaotic nature of weather.

The ensemble models have several areas and time frames for additional showers today. Here’s the current (06z) HREF forecast for 2 PM—

Here’s the current 06z HRDPS which shows almost no rain at 2 PM—

I’m searching the water vapor image for signs of a next impulse—

Wednesday Outlook

Updated Tue 07/18 @ 5:49 PM — The storms only developed in NJ today and nothing is expected this side of the Delaware River for the rest of the evening.

Wednesday looks to be unexpectedly “interesting” weather-wise. The cold front that triggered Tuesday’s storms in NJ will return as a warm front during Wednesday.

An area of strong moisture convergence, instability and upward vertical motion will set up near the Philadelphia area.

Showers and thunderstorms may develop as early as 9 AM and will blossom over our area early afternoon. Rain and thunderstorms may linger into the evening hours. Heavy rain is possible with these storms in some areas.

Here’s the latest HRRR forecast for the rain Wednesday—

Tuesday Forecast Update

Updated Tue 07/18 @ 11:23 AM —

This morning’s NAM-NEST confines all the activity to New Jersey, even later this afternoon. So maybe nothing for the immediate PHL area.

Tuesday Forecast Update

Updated Tue 07/18 @ 8:34 AM — The upper trough and the disturbance that is expected to cause thunderstorms in our area this afternoon are clearly visible on this morning’s water vapor image—

The trends from last night still remain— the upper air support diminishes as the disturbance approaches. Most of the heavier activity is expected in NJ. Some dry air filters in at some levels and the PWAT is reduced.

Here’s the HRDPS depiction of the rain coverage—

The HRDPS still has some storms as early as 2-3 PM, now in western suburbs. Groups of storms will be disorganized, not necessarily a line of storms. Some areas may see nothing at all. Some scattered activity lasting to about 8 PM in our immediate PHL area.

Some storms that do form may be strong to severe. CAPE values still moderately high and instability values are highly elevated.

Update Mon 7/17 9:50 PM — Just a quick update. Tonight’s early models are forecasting a weaker frontal passage and dry air moving in Tuesday afternoon. This would significantly decrease the chance of thunderstorms Tuesday.

Check back tomorrow morning .

Tuesday Thunderstorms

Updated Mon 07/17 @ 8:48 PM — First let me say that the HRRR smoke model is forecasting for tonight to have the most smoke pollution in this area and things improve Tuesday.

A cold front moves through sometime Tuesday afternoon or or early Tuesday evening. There are large differences in the timing of the front, with the HRDPS having early to mid afternoon storms here, moving into NJ later in the afternoon.

There are also giant differences in forecast PWAT, with the HRDPS having values near 2.2″ while the HRRR is in the 1.6 to 1.9″ range.

The NAM and HRRR have most of the activity late in the afternoon and early evening. Most models seem to have the greatest activity in NJ.

There isn’t much storm activity forecast for the western suburbs of Philadelphia, so at the current time it appears that the areas from Philadelphia and especially east into NJ will be the most impacted, with NJ possibly receiving the heaviest rainfall.

The latest HREF model captures this emphasis of having most of the activity east into NJ—

There will be plenty of CAPE and somewhat elevated vertical shear Tuesday. Storms could be strong to severe. If the PWAT forecast by the HRDPS is correct, some of the storms could again produce local flooding.

We’ll have a better handle on this tomorrow morning.