SYNOPSIS FOR: 04/10/94 - VORTEX-94

A deep upper trof, with closed center near the four corners area, existed 
over the southwest U.S.  A cold front  pushed southward across western 
OK and northwest TX overnight and became stationary along a line from 
FSM, to ADM, to ABI, during the day.  The leading edge of the cold air 
was shallow (2-3k ft) and generous moisture south of the front was being 
lifted over the front by a southerly low-level jet.  A strong mid-level cap, 
developed on the previous day, was present  above the frontal surface and 
over all areas south of the front.  No strong shortwaves moved out of the 
southwest during the day , awaiting the movement of the major system to 
the east.  A combination of a weak shortwave and isentropic lift over the 
frontal surface allowed deep convection to form behind the front and move 
northeast across southwest, central, and northeast OK.  Most of the 
convection, all well behind the front, was non-supercellular, but one weak-
to-moderate mesocyclone did form in northeast OK in the vacinity of BVO.  
Because of the strength of the capping inversion, heating along and ahead of 
the front in OK and north TX was insufficient to initiate deep convection in 
the warm air ahead of the front.  Late in the day, the upper system began to 
move eastward.  This caused a surface low to form along the front in 
eastern NM and track NE along the front.  There was significant lifting  and 
a large area of deep convection formed after dark in west and southwest TX 
and moved across OK during the night.  There was some large hail, but the 
main severe weather was in the form of heavy rain and flash flooding.  
Rainfall amounts of up to 8 inches were reported.

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