Mesoscale Discussion 0734
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0306 PM CDT Wed May 22 2019
Areas affected...Northeast Oklahoma...Southeast Kansas...Southwest
Missouri...and Northwest Arkansas
Concerning...Severe potential...Watch likely
Valid 222006Z - 222200Z
Probability of Watch Issuance...95 percent
SUMMARY...Supercells capable of large hail, damaging winds, and
tornadoes -- a few of which may be strong -- are expected. A tornado
watch is likely.
DISCUSSION...Visible satellite shows boundary layer cumulus
developing over portions of northeast Oklahoma, southeast Kansas,
northwest Arkansas, and southwest Missouri, as low-level moisture
advects northward across the region. Surface dew points in the low
70s F are overspreading the region, ahead of a stalled cold front.
Along the front, elevated convection has developed and is moving
parallel to the boundary. With continued diabatic heating and
low-level moisture advection, further destabilization can be
expected, with MLCAPE values of 3000-4000 J/kg developing by late
afternoon.
Given these thermodynamic conditions, convective initiation is
expected within the next 1-2 hours. Convection along the front may
eventually root into the boundary layer, and additional storms may
develop in the warm sector, particularly in southern parts of the
MCD area. As storms develop, effective bulk shear of 50-55 kt will
help organize the convection into supercell structures. With
effective SRH exceeding 200 m^2/s^2, tornadoes -- a few of which
could be strong -- are possible, along with the threat for large
hail and damaging winds. A tornado watch will likely be issued
within the next hour.
..Karstens/Hart.. 05/22/2019