Severe Storm Discernment - to consider the utility of TLI in the proper discernment of severe vs non-severe thunderstorms.

 Local intentions will be centered around:

 a) Pulse Storms...(warm season/weak vertical shear)

b) Storms within Tropical Cyclone Rainbands...(TC tornadic threat)
 
 ACTION:

      For Pulse Severe vs non-Severe Storms - AMU meteorologist will monitor select thunderstorms within MLB's county warning area which have the potential to become severe (pulse severe - large hail and/or damaging wind) during the warm/wet season. TLI flash rates (as viewed on LISDAD) will be assessed through pop-up boxes to make application of a pre-defined flash rate threshold. Thunderstorms with associated flash rates which exceed (in particular...those which well-exceed) 120 LDAR flashes per minute should be regarded suspect as "severe" (current NWS definition...expect large hail & damaging wind), especially if the flash rate has experienced a recent significant trend increase. Information will be passed along to the warning meteorologist to be factored into the warning decision (thus contrasted against traditional radar signatures for pulse-severe thunderstorm identification).

      Remember, the refresh rate for LDAR data is every "one" minute where as the WSR-88D data refresh rate is every "five" minutes.

      (Be sure to make the proper flash rate determination...check the multiplication factor to the left of the scale/y-axis (FPM/xx) on the pop-up box. See example.)

For Tropical Cyclone Rainband Tornadic vs non-Tornadic Storms - AMU meteorologist will monitor convective rainbands (both inner-band/eyewall & outer-band) which are in proximity of central Florida for the existance of electrical activity.
      1. Inner-bands / eyewall...when any electrical activity (TLI) is observed within these bands, the tropical cyclone should be examined for signs of strengthening. Information should be passed along to the Tropical Prediction Center.
      2. Outer-bands...when any electrical activity (TLI) is observed within these bands, individual convective cells should be closely monitored on radar for signs of tornadogenesis.