SYNOPSIS FOR 05/31/94 - VORTEX 94

A weak cold front moved slowly southward across northern Kansas and 
Missouri and became stationary along a line from St. Louis  to between 
Dodge City and Garden City to just north of Clayton, New Mexico by 00Z. 
Even though the mid levels of the atmosphere were quite warm, convection 
developed along the boundary in southwestern Kansas during the late 
afternoon hours. The mid level wind field was quite weak, and no 
organized updraft rotation was observed. Very heavy rainfall occurred north 
of Garden City, and a landspout may have occurred with the developing 
convection. A few reports of dime to nickel-sized hail were received from 
the northwestern Texas panhandle, as well. The thunderstorms diminished 
in intensity after sunset. 

A vigorous short wave which extended from southern Idaho to northeastern 
Arizona at 00Z propagated northeastward during the night and extended 
along an axis from northeastern Wyoming to eastern Colorado by 12Z. 
Convection developed well north of the frontal boundary in the region of 
best isentropic lifting in Nebraska during the night and gradually moved 
eastward into Iowa and northern Missouri by early Wednesday morning. 
The frontal boundary retreated northward to near a line from Goodland to 
south of Topeka as a warm front during the nighttime hours.

RUTHI