Jeff Snyder
EF5
An impressive classic supercell currently located in Gaines Co (SW of LBB). Latest TVS indicates 145kts max dV, with dealiasing/unfolding issues making for a tough time on SRV1 analysis. Latest RUC mesoanalysis indicates easterly 850mb winds at 20kts beneath westerly 35kt flow at 500mb, with ~50kts deep-layer shear. Rapid turning in height near the surface is also yielding 300-350 0-3km SRH. Instability isn't notably strong, but obviously sufficient. There was another nice supercell or two east of SJT earlier this evening, and a new storm nw of SJT has midlevel rotation as well. Ah, the power of stronger deeplayer shear... The last few days has seen 30-35kts deeplayer shear (for the most part!), and I think the stronger deeplayer shear is helping keep this cell more on the classic-HP side, rather than full HP side.
Current radar image indicates the hook is right over the town of Seminole right now... The cell N of that cell (along the Yoakum/Gaines Co. line) is also beginning to show rotation on the lower SRV tilts, with a strong reflectivity gradient an hints of the upshear side of the storm starting to wrap around the meso.
Latest SVR from the Midland NWSFO indicating that spotters are reporting a persistent funnel just west of Seminole.
Current radar image indicates the hook is right over the town of Seminole right now... The cell N of that cell (along the Yoakum/Gaines Co. line) is also beginning to show rotation on the lower SRV tilts, with a strong reflectivity gradient an hints of the upshear side of the storm starting to wrap around the meso.
Latest SVR from the Midland NWSFO indicating that spotters are reporting a persistent funnel just west of Seminole.