Forecasters: Jay Miller (NCAR/MMM) and NWS

Today:

The ridge is more deeply entrenched again today, with hot and dry conditions expected in the STEPS domain. However, reasonable low-level moisture does remain in the area, with dewpoints in the mid-60s. The potential for slow-moving, short-lived storms still exists, especially in northeastern Colorado late in the day.

Note: The 9am formal weather briefing and debriefing of the previous day's operations have been suspended. We will maintain a daily look at the weather, but no other briefings/debriefings will be conducted. The forecast matrix will no longer be posted.

The following research systems are all operational: the Ops Center, CHILL, S-Pol, LMA, MGLASS, and YRFS. These systems are all that remain available to STEPS. CHILL will remain available for coordinated scans through Friday, July 14. S-Pol will continue through Sunday, July 16, mostly for Charlie Knight's young cloud studies, but will be available to scan storms in the LMA 2D/3D lightning mapping area should they develop +CGs. The MGLASS unit has been directed to take routine soundings at 18Z at Goodland for Wednesday (July 12) through Friday (July 14). Friday will end MGLASS' participation in STEPS since all sondes will have been expended, except maybe one or two.

Both radars remain in a very loose standby in the event that significant and worthwhile convective storms develop in the research Doppler lobes. An MGLASS sounding will be taken at Goodland at 18Z to determine the depth of the moist layer. From Boulder, Miller will continue to monitor the weather conditions in the STEPS domain and will provide broad guidance to Kennedy at the CHILL site should any coordinated radar scans be warranted. CHILL will run a sequence of surveillance scans at a few elevation angles every 15 min to help monitor local weather conditions.

No convection developed in the STEPS domain. Secured operations at 2244Z.