MODIS 11.0 µm IR image + storm reports + cloud-to-ground lightning data
A well-defined “enhanced-v” storm top signature was seen on MODIS 11.0 µm IR window image (above) over Nebraska around 08:09 UTC (3:09 am local time) on 13 May 2009. The magnitude of the cold/warm cloud top temperature couplet was rather large (-72º C to -50º C) for this particular enhanced-v feature. Also note the presence of a cloud-top packet of gravity waves, which could be seen propagating westward away from region of the enhanced-v signature. Hail as large as 1.0 inch in diameter was being reported, and there were a large number of both negative and positive cloud-to-ground lightning strikes in the enhanced-v region around the time of the MODIS IR image.
A comparison of the 1-km resolution MODIS 11.0 µm IR image and the corresponding 4-km resolution GOES-12 10.7 µm IR image (below) shows the advantage of better spatial resolution for displaying cloud top temperature structure. Also note the slight parallax error on the GOES-12 image, with the features being shifted several miles to the northwest (due to the large satellite viewing angle of the geostationary satellite).
MODIS 11.0 µm IR image + GOES-12 10.7 µm IR image
