Hopefully, the NWS will produce a comprehensive analysis of the meteorology of this event. Just looking back at the archived mesoscale analysis at 18z on 4/27, the following can be noted:
1. Distinct 500mb trough w/ base over northern Lousiana, neutral to slightly negatively tilted, and a speed max of 80 to 100 kt with divergence indicated over northwest Missssippi. It looked progressive, and was referred to as a short-wave during in the forecasts of the day, but certainly had some amplitude.
2. Very rich moisture advecting through the gulf coast states, with td's > 64 covering most of Mississippi and Alabama, and td's > 68 covering the southern 2/3's of those states.
3. Surface low of 996mb over eastern Arkansas, with attendant backed surface winds over Tennessee, and the northern halves of Mississippi and Alabama.
4. Cloud cover from ongoing convection over much of Tennessee and northern Mississippi, but significant breaks in clouds over Alabama.
5. SB CAPE of 2,000 - 3,000 j/kg over much of the southeast, with CIN eroded across about 70 percent of the area.
6. Significant Tornado Parameters of 6+ over west central Alabama up to 9 over northern Mississippi.
7. 0 - 1km SR Helicity readings of between 400-900 m2/s2 over much of Tennesee, northern Mississippi and northern Alabama.
8. Base reflectivity mosaic showing signs of 3 n/s bands of convection setting up over the outbreak area.
I know this is a quite simplified snapshot, but I would certainly appreciate any more insight from a meteorological standpoint on the setup of this outbreak.
