Katie B. texted me a message to wake up and look at the MD that had just been issued for eastern CO/NM. So here we are heading out to our next destination. Michael and I heading out east of Denver, CO to intercept a line of storms that fired ahead of a big upper level system bringing snow to Denver.

mesoscale discussion 0317nws storm prediction center norman ok0128 pm cst sun mar 19 2006 areas affected...nern nm and sern coconcerning...severe thunderstorm potential valid 191928z - 192200z chance for widely scattered severe thunderstorms appears to be increasing over parts of nern nm and sern co this afternoon. a fewstorms could produce hail to about 1 inch in diameter.very strong large scale forcing for ascent associated with ageostrophic adjustments within exit region of mid level jet willcontinue to overspread the srn high plains this afternoon.meanwhile...modest surface heating in the wake of high level baroclinic cloud band...coupled with moist upslope flow...were contributing to the development of weak instability across the area.lack of greater moisture is expected to limit mlcape to aob 500j/kg. however...the combination of steep mid level lapse rates andstrong forcing and effective shear should offset the limited instability and aid in the development of scattered low-topped butstrong thunderstorms. a few of these storms could briefly reach severe levels with hail and gusty winds.