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 storm relative helicity.

 

Thumbnail of an automatically generated image showing areas of storm relative helicity. Thumbnail of an automatically generated image showing areas of storm relative helicity. Thumbnail of an automatically generated image showing areas of storm relative helicity.
Hour - 1 Hour - 2 Hour -3

4 Panel Display | Animated Loop

Helicity (0-1 Km) 

This is the 0-1 km (approximately 0-3,000 Ft. AGL) storm relative helicity which is a measure of the amount of low level wind shear available for tornadogenesis. This is not a good indicator of supercell potential which is related more strongly to 0-6 KM vertical shear. Values greater than 100 m**2/s**2, do suggest an increased threat of tornadoes provided a supercell is present.  Larger values are generally better, but there are no clear "boundaries" between non-tornadic and significant tornadic supercells.

The arrows indicate the approximate right supercell storm motion using the Bunkers technique.

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