Showers and storms are taking place this morning off to our West and Northwest. This is an 850 mb map from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC). It shows 3 things: 1) 850 mb moisture transport (the color fill and red arrows) 2) 850 mb height contours (black lines) 3) THETA-E values (dashed green lines).

THETA-E (Equivalent Potential Temperature) is the temperature that results after all latent heat is released in a parcel of air and the then brought adiabatically to the 1000 mb level. THETA-E increases as dewpoint and/or temperature increases. I have circled the area with the highest THETA-E values, and highest amount of moisture transport. This is where the strongest part of the storms are currently taking place. Our storm chances look to increase in the later part of the afternoon and myself and Drew Michaels will be looking at maps just like this one as this system approaches the area.