National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Extreme Heat Continues; Severe Thunderstorms into Upper Midwest; Strong Bering Sea Storm

Wildfires and poor air quality continue for the Pacific Northwest, Rockies and extended into the Plains. Severe thunderstorms possible for the northern Plains and upper Midwest on Monday along a frontal boundary. Another boundary will focus showers and thunderstorms for the eastern seaboard with localized heavy rainfall possible. For Alaska, a strong Bering Sea storm will bring winds and rainfall. Read More >

Automatically generated image showing areas of energy helicity index.

 

Thumbnail of an automatically generated image showing areas of energy helicity index. Thumbnail of an automatically generated image showing areas of energy helicity index. Thumbnail of an automatically generated image showing areas of energy helicity index.
Hour - 1 Hour - 2 Hour -3

4 Panel Display | Animated Loop

EHI 

The Energy Helicity Index (EHI) is a number which represents the combination of instability and storm relative helicity.  Our calculation uses mixed layer CAPE (surface to 3000ft average parcel) and 0-3 km storm relative helicity.  Values greater than 2 or 3 have been correlated to cyclonic supercells with increased tornadic potential.  Negative values are indicative of an environment favorable for anti-cyclonic (left moving) supercells, but tornadoes associated with anti-cyclonic supercells are extremely rare.

Back to Convective Parameters Home