5/31/06 FCST: CO

[Fritz Kruse]

With shortwave trough moving across the Rockies today and moisture in place with dewpoints in the 50s, I am thinking this should be sufficient for supercells and some tornados this afternoon.

Current surface winds are light, but as the shortwave moves across, the pressure gradient should increase, with better flow. If the dewpoints can stay in the 50s and not mix out, and if the surface winds increase, the tornado potential will be good with a bit of help from the higher terrain and Palmer Divide.

 

[Andrew Stoller]

Upper level winds are weaker than yesterday but dewpoints seem to be higher. Low level moisture is just pouring up into the palmer divide. Last year there were a couple days similar to today that produced monster HP supercells that moved southeast off the palmer divide. It's pretty clear along the font range now with the exception of the low level clouds associated with the moisture pooling. Tornado or not, there will likely be a strong storm coming off the palmer divide today. I'd target Falcon Colorado and northwest into the black forest/palmer divide.