June 1995 animations model a 1.5-hour supercell evolution and visualize fractal-like lightning branch structures from a severe storm in West Texas. Data were collected by researchers as part of the Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornados EXperiment (VORTEX) project spanning the spring seasons of 1994 and 1995. Scientists at the National Severe Storms Laboratory and the University of Oklahoma continue to analyze this data to improve 3D supercell models and lightning simulations.
Use Cases
- Validate and improve 3D supercell models based on simulated storm evolution.
- Study relationships between lightning flash rate and storm characteristics like total ice mass.
- Investigate conditions for cloud-to-ground lightning occurrence based on simulation data.
- Develop 'nowcasting' models for severe storms based on lightning and updraft dynamics.
Strengths
- Animations model a specific 1.5-hour supercell evolution from a documented historical event.
- Data originates from the VORTEX project, a dedicated research experiment spanning two spring seasons.
- Research by named institutions (National Severe Storms Laboratory, University of Oklahoma) continues to use this data.
Limitations
- Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
- Row count and file size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
- Data may reflect geographic and temporal bias inherent to the specific 1995 West Texas event.
Provenance
- Source
- SCIOPS via NASA EarthData
- Collection Method
- Data collected by researchers as part of the VORTEX experiment.
- Time Range
- June 2, 1995 (specific event); VORTEX project spanned spring 1994 and 1995.
- Geography
- West Texas Panhandle, specifically towns of Dimmitt and Friona, TX.