SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 689

1 year 10 months ago
WW 689 SEVERE TSTM NE SD WY 221935Z - 230300Z
URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 689 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 135 PM MDT Fri Sep 22 2023 The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of Western Nebraska Southwest South Dakota Eastern Wyoming * Effective this Friday afternoon and evening from 135 PM until 900 PM MDT. * Primary threats include... Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5 inches in diameter possible Isolated damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible A tornado or two possible SUMMARY...Isolated severe thunderstorms including some supercells are expected to develop through mid/late afternoon and spread east-northeastward across the region through early evening. The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 70 statute miles east and west of a line from 35 miles east northeast of Gillette WY to 55 miles south southeast of Scottsbluff NE. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU9). PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... REMEMBER...A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce tornadoes. && AVIATION...A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to 2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 450. Mean storm motion vector 24025. ...Guyer Read more

SPC MD 2176

1 year 10 months ago
MD 2176 CONCERNING SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 689... FOR SOUTHEAST WYOMING INTO THE NEBRASKA PANHANDLE
Mesoscale Discussion 2176 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0526 PM CDT Fri Sep 22 2023 Areas affected...Southeast Wyoming into the Nebraska Panhandle Concerning...Severe Thunderstorm Watch 689... Valid 222226Z - 230030Z The severe weather threat for Severe Thunderstorm Watch 689 continues. SUMMARY...The severe risk continues across WW 689, with the greatest near-term severe risk downstream of a supercell across the northwestern Nebraska Panhandle and perhaps across far the far southwestern Nebraska Panhandle. Large to very large hail will be the primary threat. DISCUSSION...Over the past hour, a pair of supercells have matured across the NE Panhandle with multiple reports of 1-2.5 inch hail. Elongated hodographs across the region remain very favorable for supercell maintenance with effective bulk shear values upwards of 50 knots. However, the recent demise of the supercell over the southern NE Panhandle, coupled with several failed attempts at additional convective initiation over southeast WY, hints that thermodynamics are a modulating factor in this environment. The expectation over the next 1-2 hours is for the greatest severe risk to reside downstream of the supercell over the northwestern NE Panhandle where ascent along a subtle surface confluence axis will likely compensate for diminishing downstream buoyancy. Given the favorable wind profiles and steep mid-level lapse rates, large to very large hail should be the primary concern. Elsewhere across WW 689, signs of upstream ascent in regional reflectivity trends, persistent agitated cumulus clusters, and several recent attempts at convective initiation all suggest that additional storm development is possible. Recent GOES imagery shows the deepest cumulus/ the most robust CI attempts are occurring across far southeast WY and the far southwestern NE Panhandle where low-level convergence is regionally maximized. Hence, the severe threat may be locally higher downstream of this cumulus cluster over the next 1-2 hours if a supercell can become established. However, the probability of surface-based CI occurring may begin to wane beyond the next couple of hours with the onset of nocturnal cooling shortly after sunset. ..Moore.. 09/22/2023 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product... ATTN...WFO...LBF...UNR...BOU...CYS... LAT...LON 40790253 40840345 41530460 42710525 43290581 43580570 43660540 43110386 42400273 41800228 41440210 41010213 40840228 40790253 Read more

SPC Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook

1 year 10 months ago
SPC Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0402 PM CDT Fri Sep 22 2023 Valid 241200Z - 301200Z Shortwave ridging over the western US will quickly breakdown ahead of a Pacific trough moving onshore late this weekend into early next week. As the upper ridge breaks down and strong flow aloft moves overhead, localized dry and breezy conditions are possible across parts of the Northwest, Great Basin, and Rockies. By mid week next week, rain chances are forecast to increase limiting fire-weather concerns over much of the Northwest. Some fire concerns may linger over the Great Basin and Rockies, but confidence is low. ...Northern Great Basin and Rockies... Early next week, enhanced mid-level flow associated with the Pacific trough will begin to overspread much of the western CONUS including the Great Basin and northern Rockies. While temperatures and humidity are not expected to be overly warm/dry, the increase in southwesterly flow aloft may support localized pockets of dry and breezy conditions (winds 15-20 mph and RH below 25%) as early as D3/Sunday, continuing trough midweek. Fuels across much of the region have not been overly favorable for fire spread in recent weeks from precipitation and cooler temperatures. Further uncertainty exists regarding the chance for additional precipitation with the trough as it continues to move eastward through the week. However, the introduction of gusty winds may allow for some drying of fine fuels enough to support a low chance for fire-weather conditions through the forecast period. Ensemble and deterministic guidance suggest the most likely corridors for low-end fire-weather conditions will exist across portions of northern CA/NV into southern ID, and across parts of the Rockies in northern CO/southern WY, and western MT. However, with the uncertainties regarding fuel availability and precipitation chances, confidence in sustained critical fire-weather conditions is low. Towards the end of the extended forecast period, model guidance diverges on the overall amplification of the upper-level flow pattern and the subsequent risk for critical fire-weather conditions. Some indications for a return to strong ridging may favor a slow increase in fire-weather concerns late in the month. Conversely, a cut-off low or persistent troughing, as indicated by some ensemble guidance, may also allow for cooler and wetter conditions across the western US into October. ..Lyons.. 09/22/2023 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more

SPC Sep 22, 2023 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

1 year 10 months ago
SPC 2000Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0253 PM CDT Fri Sep 22 2023 Valid 222000Z - 231200Z ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE NORTH-CENTRAL HIGH PLAINS...AND THE COASTAL MID-ATLANTIC... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are possible across parts of the north-central High Plains this afternoon and this evening. A few tornadoes are also possible over the coastal southern Mid-Atlantic/Tidewater region overnight into tomorrow morning. ...20Z Update... ...North-Central High Plains... As mentioned in recently issued MCD #2174, the severe-thunderstorm threat is expected to increase with time across the region this afternoon. Wind profiles will become increasingly favorable for organized storms, and a couple of supercells may evolve with time. Steep midlevel lapse rates and cool temperatures aloft will support large hail of 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter, conditional on supercell development. A tornado or two will also be possible if multiple sustained supercells can develop and mature. Severe Thunderstorm Watch #689 was recently issued to cover the potential risk across the region. ...Coastal southern Mid-Atlantic/Tidewater... No significant changes have been made by NHC to the forecast track of Tropical Storm Ophelia, with the system still expected to be onshore over the central NC coast by 12Z tomorrow. Stable conditions are in place across this region now, but an increasingly moist and buoyant boundary layer is expected to advect into the region overnight. This could support a few stronger convective cores, which, given the strong low-level wind fields, could then produce brief tornadoes. ..Mosier.. 09/22/2023 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1134 AM CDT Fri Sep 22 2023/ ...North-central High Plains... Scattered thunderstorms are still ongoing at midday across western portions of Nebraska/South Dakota, generally in association with a lead shortwave trough downstream of a more prominent upper trough over the northern Intermountain region. In this wake of this activity, the primary corridor of diurnal destabilization will be focused in a northwest/southeast-oriented corridor across eastern Wyoming into the Nebraska Panhandle and extreme southwest South Dakota. Aided by low-level upslope flow/differential heating and the approach of the upstream trough/speed max, the aforementioned corridor is where at least isolated severe storms are expected to develop into mid/late afternoon, and subsequently move through this relatively narrow corridor of modest instability (MLCAPE 750-1250 J/kg). Long hodographs with 40+ kt effective shear will support supercells capable of large hail (locally significant 2+ inch), and possibly some tornado risk given the relatively moist environment. These storms should spread east-northeastward across much of the north-central Plains tonight, with the potential for large hail and locally damaging winds continuing possibly into the overnight. ...Coastal southern Mid-Atlantic/Tidewater... The potential for supercells and a few tornadoes is expected to increase late tonight as Potential Tropical Cyclone 16 approaches the coast. Reference the National Hurricane Center for the latest track/intensity forecast details. While inland areas are currently stable with respect to surface-based convection, higher theta-e air will accompany a warm front shifting toward the coast late tonight, all while low/mid-level winds strengthen on the northern periphery of the Potential Tropical Cyclone. Supercell-favorable ingredients are expected to be maximized across coastal eastern North Carolina into far southeast Virginia. This is where MLCAPE in the 500-1500 J/kg range is possible, despite midlevel lapse rates only slightly greater than moist adiabatic. Enlarging and well-curved hodographs are expected, with effective SRH of 300-500 m2/s2. A few tornadoes are possible mainly during the overnight into early Saturday. ...Iowa... An MCV continues to drift east-northeastward across western Iowa at midday. While plentiful cloud cover and some showers/thunderstorms precede the MCV, modest destabilization should gradually occur mainly across eastern Iowa this afternoon. Some stronger to locally severe storms could develop accordingly, aided by influences of the MCV. ...Eastern Oklahoma/ArkLaTex... While a few stronger storms could occur today, severe potential is expected to remain very limited across the region as warm advection abates and mid-level lapse rates remain modest. Read more

SPC Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook

1 year 10 months ago
SPC Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0241 PM CDT Fri Sep 22 2023 Valid 231200Z - 241200Z ...NO CRITICAL AREAS... ...20z Update... No changes will be made to the current outlook. Overall fire-weather concerns are expected to remain below Elevated criteria and localized across the lee of the Rockies and northern Great Basin. See the previous discussions for more information. ..Lyons.. 09/22/2023 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 0130 AM CDT Fri Sep 22 2023/ ...Synopsis... Fire weather concerns should remain fairly localized for Saturday along the High Plains. A surface low and an attendant surface trough are forecast to deepen as they migrate east across the Plains on Saturday. This will establish a zonal flow regime across much of the Rockies and High Plains by late morning. Downslope warming/drying along the CO Front Range and in the lee of the Sangre de Cristo and Sandia/Manzano Mountains, augmented by diurnal heating, should promote areas of 15-25% RH as winds increase to 15-20 mph (with locally drier/windier in terrain-favored locations). Somewhat meager mid to upper-level winds should confine the strongest surface winds close to terrain features - with the exception of southeast WY into adjacent portions of NE/northeast CO where surface gradient winds will be stronger. This, combined with somewhat marginal fuel status outside of far northeast NM and southern CO, will limit the coverage of elevated conditions and the overall fire weather threat. ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more

Eastern North Pacific Tropical Weather Outlook

1 year 10 months ago

000
ABPZ20 KNHC 221731
TWOEP

Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
1100 AM PDT Fri Sep 22 2023

For the eastern North Pacific...east of 140 degrees west longitude:

Active Systems:
The National Hurricane Center has issued its last advisory on
Post-Tropical Cyclone Kenneth, located about 1000 miles west of the
southern tip of the Baja California peninsula.

Central East Pacific:
Showers and thunderstorms associated with a tropical wave located
several hundred miles south of the southern tip of the Baja
California peninsula continue to show signs of organization. Further
development of the disturbance is likely, and a tropical depression
is expected to form over the weekend or early next week while the
system moves generally westward across the central and western parts
of the eastern Pacific basin.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...50 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days...high...80 percent.

$$
Forecaster D. Zelinsky
NHC Webmaster

Trees were suffering, dying in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

1 year 10 months ago
Established trees in Cedar Rapids were suffering after a summer of drought, leaving them vulnerable to diseases and insects. Some trees, such as hackberry and black cherry trees, were showing fall colors early, due to drought. Some century-old white oak trees have withered and died within a few weeks. The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), Sept 20, 2023

Tower Rock in the Mississippi River accessible by foot

1 year 10 months ago
The low level of the Mississippi River has made Tower Rock accessible again, but work on a pipeline was preventing road access to the formation located in Perry County, south of St. Louis and about 25 miles north of Cape Girardeau. Sightseers could also walk to the formation in October 2022. CNN (Atlanta, Ga.), Sept 21, 2023

Depth of Mississippi River has barges carrying less cargo

1 year 10 months ago
Barge companies have to lighten loads on the Mississippi River due to hot, dry weather, making it more costly to transport grain and other goods on the river. The cargo rate from St. Louis downriver was up 77% above the three-year average. The shipping lane is also narrower, meaning fewer barges can be lashed together. The Associated Press (Des Moines, Iowa), Sept 17, 2023 Barges on the Mississippi River already must lighten their loads to reduce their draft as the level of the Mississippi River has been declining since June. The Ohio River at Cairo, Illinois fell nearly 10 feet in the last two weeks of August and was expected to continue to drop. Low levels on the Mississippi River will probably affect industry and navigation, per NIDIS. Seventeen dredges were working to maintain the navigation channel. USA Today (McLean, Va.), Sept 10, 2023

Christmas tree farm in Grant, Louisiana lost 800 trees

1 year 10 months ago
A Christmas tree farm in Grant has not received rain in at least four months and endured intense heat exceeding 100 degrees over the summer. Eight hundred or more trees were lost due to the harsh weather this summer. Although some tree farms have closed, the tree farm in Grant has irrigation. The crop maze has not done well, and flowers were not yet blooming, but should be. KPLC (Lake Charles, La.), Sept 21, 2023

Saltwater in the Mississippi River threatening huge tree farm near Belle Chasse, Louisiana

1 year 10 months ago
Drought and less water flowing in the Mississippi River meant less fresh water in the river to keep saltwater from pushing its way upriver. A huge tree nursery near Belle Chasse needs about 100,000 gallons of fresh water daily to irrigate the half a million trees, but the wedge of saltwater has gotten dangerously close. The week of Sept. 25, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will expand an underwater barrier that was originally constructed in July to slow the movement of the saltwater. The expansion should take about two weeks and will result in a sill 60 feet high and about 2,200 feet across the river. A notch will be left in the sill 620 wide and 55 feet deep to allow oceangoing vessels to pass through. The Mississippi’s lowest recorded flow occurred in 1988 when it was just 120,000 cubic feet per second. Saltwater reached upriver to Kenner, La. on the outskirts of New Orleans. This year, it is forecast to fall to 130,000 cubic feet per second. The Washington Post (D.C.), Sept 21, 2023

SPC Tornado Watch 688 Status Reports

1 year 10 months ago
WW 0688 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 688 THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES ACROSS THE ENTIRE WATCH AREA. ..LYONS..09/21/23 ATTN...WFO...GID... STATUS REPORT FOR WT 688 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS KSC089-123-141-183-220040- KS . KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE JEWELL MITCHELL OSBORNE SMITH NEC001-019-035-061-079-099-129-181-220040- NE . NEBRASKA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE ADAMS BUFFALO CLAY FRANKLIN HALL KEARNEY NUCKOLLS WEBSTER THE WATCH STATUS MESSAGE IS FOR GUIDANCE PURPOSES ONLY. PLEASE REFER TO WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION STATEMENTS FOR OFFICIAL INFORMATION ON COUNTIES...INDEPENDENT CITIES AND MARINE ZONES CLEARED FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AND TORNADO WATCHES. Read more

SPC Tornado Watch 688

1 year 10 months ago
WW 688 TORNADO KS NE 212150Z - 220300Z
URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Tornado Watch Number 688 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 450 PM CDT Thu Sep 21 2023 The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a * Tornado Watch for portions of North central Kansas South central Nebraska * Effective this Thursday afternoon and evening from 450 PM until 1000 PM CDT. * Primary threats include... A couple tornadoes possible Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5 inches in diameter possible Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible SUMMARY...Supercells will persist into this evening along a stationary front across southern Nebraska, with the potential to produce a couple of tornadoes and isolated very large hail of 2 to 2.5 inches in diameter. Some clustering of storms is expected later this evening into early tonight, with some increase in the threat for damaging winds as storms spread east-southeastward along the Nebraska/Kansas border. The tornado watch area is approximately along and 35 statute miles east and west of a line from 25 miles north of Kearney NE to 90 miles south of Hastings NE. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU8). PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. && OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 687... AVIATION...Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to 2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector 26010. ...Thompson Read more

SPC Tornado Watch 687 Status Reports

1 year 10 months ago
WW 0687 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 687 THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES ACROSS THE ENTIRE WATCH AREA. ..LYONS..09/21/23 ATTN...WFO...GLD...GID...LBF... STATUS REPORT FOR WT 687 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS KSC039-063-065-109-137-147-153-163-179-193-220040- KS . KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE DECATUR GOVE GRAHAM LOGAN NORTON PHILLIPS RAWLINS ROOKS SHERIDAN THOMAS NEC005-029-041-047-049-063-065-069-073-075-083-085-087-091-101- 111-113-117-135-137-145-171-220040- NE . NEBRASKA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE ARTHUR CHASE CUSTER DAWSON DEUEL FRONTIER FURNAS GARDEN GOSPER GRANT HARLAN HAYES HITCHCOCK HOOKER KEITH LINCOLN LOGAN MCPHERSON PERKINS PHELPS RED WILLOW THOMAS Read more

SPC Tornado Watch 687

1 year 10 months ago
WW 687 TORNADO KS NE 211950Z - 220300Z
URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Tornado Watch Number 687 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 250 PM CDT Thu Sep 21 2023 The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a * Tornado Watch for portions of Northwest Kansas Southwest Nebraska * Effective this Thursday afternoon and evening from 250 PM until 1000 PM CDT. * Primary threats include... A few tornadoes possible Scattered large hail likely with isolated very large hail events to 3 inches in diameter possible Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible SUMMARY...Thunderstorms are expected to rapidly develop this afternoon along a dryline and warm front lying across the area. Supercells capable of very large hail and a few tornadoes are expected. The tornado watch area is approximately along and 60 statute miles east and west of a line from 35 miles south southwest of Hill City KS to 60 miles north northwest of North Platte NE. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU7). PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. && AVIATION...Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to 3 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector 28025. ...Hart Read more

Extreme weather killing Christmas trees in southern Mississippi

1 year 10 months ago
Extreme weather, including hard freezes, intense heat and drought, have hurt trees on Christmas tree farms in southern Mississippi. The co-owner of a tree farm in Moselle reported that trees were drying, including ones that were recently planted. A Marion County Christmas tree farm lost about 30 mature trees and 900 seedlings. There will be enough trees for the holiday season this year, but the deaths of younger trees may leave a dearth of trees in coming years. WHLT-TV (Hattiesburg, Miss.), Sept 21, 2023

SPC MD 2172

1 year 10 months ago
MD 2172 CONCERNING SEVERE POTENTIAL...WATCH UNLIKELY FOR EASTERN KANSAS INTO FAR NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA
Mesoscale Discussion 2172 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0518 PM CDT Thu Sep 21 2023 Areas affected...Eastern Kansas into far northeast Oklahoma Concerning...Severe potential...Watch unlikely Valid 212218Z - 220015Z Probability of Watch Issuance...20 percent SUMMARY...A few strong to severe storms appear probable this evening with an attendant risk for damaging winds and large hail. However, this risk should remain sufficiently isolated to preclude watch issuance. DISCUSSION...Over the past hour, isolated thunderstorms have initiated across eastern KS with somewhat rapid cloud top cooling noted in IR imagery (approximately 20 C over a 20 minute window). Broken cloud cover through the afternoon has muted diurnal destabilization to some degree, but seasonally rich low-level moisture (mid 60s dewpoints) is supporting MLCAPE values upwards of 2000 J/kg. Additionally, southeasterly low-level flow under southwesterly winds aloft is supporting effective bulk shear values near 35 knots - sufficiently for organized cells. Although the regional environment is supportive of supercells with an attendant hail/wind risk, east/southeast KS is on the periphery of stronger mesoscale and synoptic ascent to the northwest across northern KS and NE. This casts uncertainty onto storm coverage, and slow storm motions should limit the potential for storm interactions/upscale growth. Consequently, this threat should remain fairly isolated, and a watch will likely not be needed. ..Moore/Thompson.. 09/21/2023 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product... ATTN...WFO...SGF...EAX...TSA...TOP...ICT... LAT...LON 37089605 37569650 38159697 38739706 38929702 39139669 39079624 38679546 38159501 37569460 37149449 36759460 36649505 36709542 37089605 Read more

SPC MD 2171

1 year 10 months ago
MD 2171 CONCERNING SEVERE POTENTIAL...WATCH UNLIKELY FOR EASTERN NEW MEXICO INTO THE OKLAHOMA AND TEXAS PANHANDLES
Mesoscale Discussion 2171 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0443 PM CDT Thu Sep 21 2023 Areas affected...Eastern New Mexico into the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles Concerning...Severe potential...Watch unlikely Valid 212143Z - 212345Z Probability of Watch Issuance...20 percent SUMMARY...Thunderstorms will increase in coverage over the next few hours, and a few strong to severe storms appear likely. Severe wind and large hail will be the primary threats, but confidence in the coverage/duration of this threat is limited and watch issuance is not anticipated. DISCUSSION...Convective initiation is well underway across central to eastern NM within the left-exit region of an approaching upper jet. This high-based activity is developing on the western fringe of the low-level moisture plume over the Plains with dewpoints in the upper 40s to low 50s and dewpoint depressions upwards of 40-50 F noted in latest surface obs. Although buoyancy profiles are somewhat meager (MLCAPE between 500-1000 J/kg), the deeply-mixed low-level thermodynamic profile is conducive for strong to severe downburst winds. Combined with weak low-level flow, this may favor undercutting outflows and storm clustering with time, which limits confidence in the duration of any particular strong/severe storm. However, strong speed shear in the 0-6 km layer will support initial cell organization with an attendant hail risk. The expectation over the next several hours is for additional storms to develop across eastern NM, slowly intensifying (with perhaps some clustering/upscale growth) as they migrate into the TX/OK Panhandles where low-level moisture improves. However, increasing inhibition closer to the TX/western OK border and the onset of nocturnal cooling later this evening may limit the eastward extent of the threat. ..Moore/Thompson.. 09/21/2023 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product... ATTN...WFO...DDC...LUB...AMA...MAF...PUB...ABQ...EPZ... LAT...LON 33500539 33750532 36570391 36760369 37300238 37370157 37160094 36540052 35430051 34140145 33480266 33120417 33040464 33020500 33100523 33300532 33500539 Read more

SPC Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook

1 year 10 months ago
SPC Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0359 PM CDT Thu Sep 21 2023 Valid 231200Z - 291200Z ...Day 3/Saturday... On the backside of a midlevel low tracking northeastward across the northern Plains, strong deep-layer northwesterly flow will overspread the northern/central High Plains. As a result, 25+ mph sustained west-northwesterly surface winds (with higher gusts) are expected across portions of southern WY, western NE, and far northeastern CO. While these winds could briefly overlap 20-30 percent RH over the area, marginal fuels should generally limit the fire-weather risk. ...Days 4-5/Sunday-Monday... Southwesterly midlevel flow will gradually strengthen across the Northwest on Days 4-5/Sunday-Monday, favoring breezy southwesterly surface winds across portions of northeastern CA, northwestern NV, and far southeastern OR -- where 15-20 percent RH is possible. With that said, fuels are generally unsupportive of large fires over these areas -- precluding Critical probabilities. ...Days 6-8/Tuesday-Thursday... The potential for dry/breezy conditions should focus over portions of the Southwest and Great Basin late in the extended forecast period, and potentially over the High Plains depending on moisture return. However, additional rainfall over already marginal fuels across these areas cast uncertainty on the fire-weather risk. ..Weinman.. 09/21/2023 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more