SPC 2000Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0154 PM CST Thu Feb 08 2024
Valid 082000Z - 091200Z
...THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF
FAR EASTERN IOWA...NORTHERN ILLINOIS...AND SOUTHERN WISCONSIN...
...SUMMARY...
A few strong/severe thunderstorms remain possible this afternoon
through early evening across parts of far eastern Iowa, northern
Illinois, southern Wisconsin, and the southern Lake Michigan
vicinity.
...20Z Update...
Recent surface observations show upper 40s surface dewpoints present
across southern/central IL and vicinity, with clearing occurring
across parts of eastern IA and western/central IL beneath a
mid-level dry slot. Recent visible satellite imagery also shows
shallow cu development across northeastern MO and central/eastern IA
as large-scale ascent attendant to an upper trough overspreads the
warm/moist sector.
Current expectations are for isolated, low-topped thunderstorms to
develop by 22-23Z across far eastern IA and northern IL. Even though
low-level moisture will likely remain shallow/limited, with surface
dewpoints generally in the mid to upper 40s, rather cold mid-level
temperatures and steepened lapse rates aloft should still aid in the
development of around 500 J/kg of MLCAPE. Coupled with strong
deep-layer shear, this weak instability should support organized
convection, including the potential for a supercell or two.
Isolated severe hail, strong/damaging winds, and perhaps a tornado
all appear possible with this activity as it spreads quickly
northeastward across northern IL and southern WI through the early
evening before weakening. Given the limited thermodynamic
environment and latest surface observations, have maintained the
Marginal Risk with no changes.
..Gleason.. 02/08/2024
.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1030 AM CST Thu Feb 08 2024/
...Synopsis...
A mid-level short-wave trough now crossing the Middle Missouri
Valley/central Plains will continue progressing northeastward today
and tonight, while a second feature now in the vicinity of the Lower
Colorado Valley shifts eastward through the period. Meanwhile,
upper ridging over the East will be shunted progressively eastward
by the aforementioned advance of short-wave troughs farther west.
At the surface, a rather deep (990 mb) surface cyclone is currently
analyzed near the ND/SD/MN border intersection, with a cold front
extending southward across the Middle Missouri Valley into Kansas.
This boundary, and the advance of the upper trough, may support
isolated late afternoon strong/potentially severe convective
development across eastern Iowa/northwestern Illinois.
Elsewhere, showers and scattered thunderstorms are expected to
evolve across the Four Corners states ahead of the aforementioned
upper trough, and overnight thunder may evolve within an area of
broad/weak QG ascent over parts of the Lower Mississippi and
Tennessee Valleys. Severe weather is not expected in these areas.
...Eastern Iowa/northern Illinois/southern Wisconsin vicinity...
Low-level moisture remains a primary uncertainty today, with respect
to potential strong/severe storm development. Dewpoints remain in
the upper 30s/low 40s across the Iowa/Illinois area, where model
forecast soundings -- particularly the RAP -- have consistently
indicated upper 40s to low 50s dewpoints by late afternoon. This
degree of moistening still appears to be a bit aggressive, with
middle to upper 40s largely anticipated.
With that said, very cold air aloft/steep lapse rates will continue
to overspread this region, and the deep-layer wind field is
conditionally quite supportive of severe/supercell storms. At this
time, we will maintain MRGL risk and all-hazard, low-probability
outlook. A couple of storms may develop by late afternoon, in the
eastern Iowa/northwestern Illinois vicinity, and then shift
eastward/east-northeastward through early evening, before weakening.
However, evolution of moisture through the day will be closely
watched, as the more aggressive RAP model solution -- should it
appear more likely to occur -- would require consideration for an
upgrade to the outlook at 20Z.
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