SPC Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook

3 months ago
SPC Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0249 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025 Valid 161200Z - 171200Z A dry, post-frontal air mass will push through portions of the Midwest this evening, priming northern Illinois for substantially lower relative humidity for Friday. As a surface low moves into the Great Lakes region along with accelerating mid-level winds, strong surface winds of 20-25 mph from the south and southwest will develop by late morning. The stronger winds combined with relative humidity falling into the 20-25 percent range will support elevated fire weather conditions across northern Illinois for Friday morning/early afternoon. Fire weather threat remains conditional for the Chicago area as line of showers and thunderstorms and subsequent rainfall expected this afternoon/evening could limit fire spread potential for Friday. ..Williams.. 05/15/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 0104 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025/ ...Synopsis... Fire-weather potential across the CONUS is relatively low Friday. In the wake of the departing upper trough, shortwave ridging is expected over the southern Plains and Southwest. This will temporarily slow stronger mid-level flow as a Pacific front shifts eastward. With only modest flow aloft and at the surface, strong winds are not expected over the driest fuels of the Southwest. However, warm temperatures and low RH below 20% will remain likely. This could support some localized fire-weather risk where westerly winds could gust to 15 mph closer to the terrain. Otherwise, increasing surface moisture and recent rainfall will largely preclude fire-weather concerns Friday outside of localized dry and breezy conditions over parts of the Midwest. However, this is not expected to be widespread. ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more

SPC Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook

3 months ago
SPC Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0249 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025 Valid 161200Z - 171200Z A dry, post-frontal air mass will push through portions of the Midwest this evening, priming northern Illinois for substantially lower relative humidity for Friday. As a surface low moves into the Great Lakes region along with accelerating mid-level winds, strong surface winds of 20-25 mph from the south and southwest will develop by late morning. The stronger winds combined with relative humidity falling into the 20-25 percent range will support elevated fire weather conditions across northern Illinois for Friday morning/early afternoon. Fire weather threat remains conditional for the Chicago area as line of showers and thunderstorms and subsequent rainfall expected this afternoon/evening could limit fire spread potential for Friday. ..Williams.. 05/15/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 0104 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025/ ...Synopsis... Fire-weather potential across the CONUS is relatively low Friday. In the wake of the departing upper trough, shortwave ridging is expected over the southern Plains and Southwest. This will temporarily slow stronger mid-level flow as a Pacific front shifts eastward. With only modest flow aloft and at the surface, strong winds are not expected over the driest fuels of the Southwest. However, warm temperatures and low RH below 20% will remain likely. This could support some localized fire-weather risk where westerly winds could gust to 15 mph closer to the terrain. Otherwise, increasing surface moisture and recent rainfall will largely preclude fire-weather concerns Friday outside of localized dry and breezy conditions over parts of the Midwest. However, this is not expected to be widespread. ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more

SPC Tornado Watch 251 Status Reports

3 months ago
WW 0251 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 251 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES RIGHT OF A LINE FROM 10 NW RST TO 30 WSW MSP TO 40 SSE AXN TO 35 NNE VVV. ..WENDT..05/15/25 ATTN...WFO...DLH...MPX...FGF...ARX... STATUS REPORT FOR WT 251 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS MNC001-003-009-019-021-025-035-037-041-049-051-053-059-065-093- 095-097-111-115-121-123-139-141-145-153-157-159-163-167-169-171- 152040- MN . MINNESOTA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE AITKIN ANOKA BENTON CARVER CASS CHISAGO CROW WING DAKOTA DOUGLAS GOODHUE GRANT HENNEPIN ISANTI KANABEC MEEKER MILLE LACS MORRISON OTTER TAIL PINE POPE RAMSEY SCOTT SHERBURNE STEARNS TODD WABASHA WADENA WASHINGTON WILKIN WINONA WRIGHT WIC005-011-013-017-019-033-035-053-063-081-091-093-095-099-107- 109-113-119-121-129-152040- WI . WISCONSIN COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE Read more

SPC MD 789

3 months ago
MD 0789 CONCERNING TORNADO WATCH 251... FOR TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Mesoscale Discussion 0789 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0142 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025 Areas affected...Twin Cities Vicinity Concerning...Tornado Watch 251... Valid 151842Z - 151945Z The severe weather threat for Tornado Watch 251 continues. SUMMARY...A mesoscale corridor of greater tornado potential is evident near the Twin Cities. Tornado potential, perhaps strong, will be focused here over the next 1-2 hours. DISCUSSION...A broken line of supercells south of the Twin Cities is expected to continue northward. Low-level thermodynamics ahead of these storms continues to improve this afternoon with temperatures nearing 80 F. Given the backed surface winds, these supercells will have locally greater potential to produce a tornado. The VAD from KMPX has shown increasing 0-1 km SRH and objective mesoanalysis shows STP greater than 2. Mid-level lapse rates are also very steep per the 18Z MPX sounding. A strong tornado would be possible in this environment. ..Wendt.. 05/15/2025 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product... ATTN...WFO...ARX...MPX... LAT...LON 44329346 44639374 44819391 44959395 45099380 45289337 45279297 44979271 44609251 44259278 44099291 44049320 44329346 MOST PROBABLE PEAK TORNADO INTENSITY...100-130 MPH MOST PROBABLE PEAK WIND GUST...55-70 MPH MOST PROBABLE PEAK HAIL SIZE...2.00-3.50 IN Read more

SPC May 15, 2025 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

3 months ago
SPC 2000Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0227 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025 Valid 152000Z - 161200Z ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA....MUCH OF WISCONSIN...SOUTHERN AND WESTERN LOWER MICHIGAN...NORTHEAST ILLINOIS...NORTHERN INDIANA AND NORTHWEST OHIO... ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PORTIONS OF VIRGINIA AND NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are expected across parts of the upper Mississippi River Valley and Great Lakes this afternoon and evening. Tornadoes, some of which could be strong, and very large hail and damaging winds will be possible. Severe thunderstorms are also expected through the lower Ohio River Valley, Ozarks and in parts of the Mid-Atlantic. ...20z Update... Only minor changes were made to trim probabilities behind ongoing convective activity with this update. The Enhanced Risk across the Midwest remains unchanged. Thunderstorm activity has been ongoing in this region, with reports of a couple of tornadoes in western Minnesota. Expect thunderstorm activity to continue to strengthen in this area. See MCD#791 for more information on the short term threats. See previous discussion for more information concerning the broader Slight Risk across the Mid to upper Mississippi Valley and in the Central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic below. ..Thornton/Mosier.. 05/15/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1128 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025/ ...Mid to Upper Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes/Ohio Valley... Recent satellite imagery shows an upper low over SD, with a negatively tilted shortwave trough moving into the Mid MO Valley. Surface analysis places an occluded surface low associated with this system over southeast ND, with an occluded front extending southeastward to a triple point over far southeast SD. A cold front extends south-southeastward from this front across far western IA and into far northeast MO before arcing more southwestward across far western MO and more southwestward across western OK. A warm front extends easterward from this triple point across southern MN and then more southeastward across southwest WI and northern IL. These boundaries, including the occluded front, will all act in tandem with increasing large-scale forcing for ascent to force thunderstorm development this afternoon and evening. The ongoing storms from eastern SD into central MN are confirmation of the buoyancy sampled in the 12Z MPX sounding. Expectation is for instability to build across the region as heating and low-level moisture advection occur amid steep mid-level lapse rates. Airmass destabilization and thunderstorm development is anticipated first from the eastern Dakotas into MN, the occluded front as it shifts northward as both the primary surface low and triple point low shift northwestward. Additional development is then anticipated farther southeast along the warm front across WI. Storms that develop in the vicinity of the occluded front will likely have elevated structures, with large hail as the primary risk. Some isolated very large hail (i.e. greater than 2" in diameter) is possible. Farther southeast, the corridor along the warm front appears very favorable for supercells capable of all severe hazards, including very large hail, strong wind gusts, and tornadoes. A locally higher tornado potential may exist from central into southeastern WI from 18Z-22Z. Deeper mixing is anticipated farther south into northern IL, but the overall environment will still support robust, organized updrafts. There may be some trend initially for these storms to quickly become outflow dominant, but strengthening mid-level flow across the region after 21Z should aid in maintaining a more organized mode. Upscale growth into a organized MCS appears probable after 00Z, with the potential for significant-severe gusts as this line moves eastward in southern Lower MI. The threat for damaging gusts and isolated hail will persist throughout the night across Lower MI and the middle/upper OH Valley. ...Ozarks into the TN Valley... Additional thunderstorm development is anticipated this afternoon across AR as a cold front pushes eastward across the region. Moderate to strong flow aloft should allow for storms to move off this boundary quickly into a strongly buoyant airmass downstream. Warm air aloft could limit overall storm longevity during the afternoon/early evening, but the warm/dry mid-levels are conducive for producing strong outflows capable of damaging gusts. Whether or not organization will occur along these outflows is uncertain, but a conditional risk for continued damaging gusts exists into TN. Additional thunderstorms are possible during the evening and overnight in the wake of the front. Persistent steep mid-level lapse rates and strong shear will support large hail with some of these storms. ...Central Appalachians/Mid-Atlantic... Large-scale height rises are expected across the region, but diurnal heating and orographic effects will aid in thunderstorm development across the higher terrain this afternoon. Northwesterly flow aloft will favor a southeastward storm motion within an environment of moderate/locally strong instability. 35-45 kts of northwesterly deep shear is anticipated, supporting supercell structures and clusters, posing a risk for large hail and damaging winds. The overall hodograph structure and resulting storm motion appears favorable for some very large hail over 2" in diameter as well. Read more

SPC May 15, 2025 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

3 months ago
SPC 2000Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0227 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025 Valid 152000Z - 161200Z ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA....MUCH OF WISCONSIN...SOUTHERN AND WESTERN LOWER MICHIGAN...NORTHEAST ILLINOIS...NORTHERN INDIANA AND NORTHWEST OHIO... ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PORTIONS OF VIRGINIA AND NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are expected across parts of the upper Mississippi River Valley and Great Lakes this afternoon and evening. Tornadoes, some of which could be strong, and very large hail and damaging winds will be possible. Severe thunderstorms are also expected through the lower Ohio River Valley, Ozarks and in parts of the Mid-Atlantic. ...20z Update... Only minor changes were made to trim probabilities behind ongoing convective activity with this update. The Enhanced Risk across the Midwest remains unchanged. Thunderstorm activity has been ongoing in this region, with reports of a couple of tornadoes in western Minnesota. Expect thunderstorm activity to continue to strengthen in this area. See MCD#791 for more information on the short term threats. See previous discussion for more information concerning the broader Slight Risk across the Mid to upper Mississippi Valley and in the Central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic below. ..Thornton/Mosier.. 05/15/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1128 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025/ ...Mid to Upper Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes/Ohio Valley... Recent satellite imagery shows an upper low over SD, with a negatively tilted shortwave trough moving into the Mid MO Valley. Surface analysis places an occluded surface low associated with this system over southeast ND, with an occluded front extending southeastward to a triple point over far southeast SD. A cold front extends south-southeastward from this front across far western IA and into far northeast MO before arcing more southwestward across far western MO and more southwestward across western OK. A warm front extends easterward from this triple point across southern MN and then more southeastward across southwest WI and northern IL. These boundaries, including the occluded front, will all act in tandem with increasing large-scale forcing for ascent to force thunderstorm development this afternoon and evening. The ongoing storms from eastern SD into central MN are confirmation of the buoyancy sampled in the 12Z MPX sounding. Expectation is for instability to build across the region as heating and low-level moisture advection occur amid steep mid-level lapse rates. Airmass destabilization and thunderstorm development is anticipated first from the eastern Dakotas into MN, the occluded front as it shifts northward as both the primary surface low and triple point low shift northwestward. Additional development is then anticipated farther southeast along the warm front across WI. Storms that develop in the vicinity of the occluded front will likely have elevated structures, with large hail as the primary risk. Some isolated very large hail (i.e. greater than 2" in diameter) is possible. Farther southeast, the corridor along the warm front appears very favorable for supercells capable of all severe hazards, including very large hail, strong wind gusts, and tornadoes. A locally higher tornado potential may exist from central into southeastern WI from 18Z-22Z. Deeper mixing is anticipated farther south into northern IL, but the overall environment will still support robust, organized updrafts. There may be some trend initially for these storms to quickly become outflow dominant, but strengthening mid-level flow across the region after 21Z should aid in maintaining a more organized mode. Upscale growth into a organized MCS appears probable after 00Z, with the potential for significant-severe gusts as this line moves eastward in southern Lower MI. The threat for damaging gusts and isolated hail will persist throughout the night across Lower MI and the middle/upper OH Valley. ...Ozarks into the TN Valley... Additional thunderstorm development is anticipated this afternoon across AR as a cold front pushes eastward across the region. Moderate to strong flow aloft should allow for storms to move off this boundary quickly into a strongly buoyant airmass downstream. Warm air aloft could limit overall storm longevity during the afternoon/early evening, but the warm/dry mid-levels are conducive for producing strong outflows capable of damaging gusts. Whether or not organization will occur along these outflows is uncertain, but a conditional risk for continued damaging gusts exists into TN. Additional thunderstorms are possible during the evening and overnight in the wake of the front. Persistent steep mid-level lapse rates and strong shear will support large hail with some of these storms. ...Central Appalachians/Mid-Atlantic... Large-scale height rises are expected across the region, but diurnal heating and orographic effects will aid in thunderstorm development across the higher terrain this afternoon. Northwesterly flow aloft will favor a southeastward storm motion within an environment of moderate/locally strong instability. 35-45 kts of northwesterly deep shear is anticipated, supporting supercell structures and clusters, posing a risk for large hail and damaging winds. The overall hodograph structure and resulting storm motion appears favorable for some very large hail over 2" in diameter as well. Read more

SPC May 15, 2025 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

3 months ago
SPC 2000Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0227 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025 Valid 152000Z - 161200Z ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA....MUCH OF WISCONSIN...SOUTHERN AND WESTERN LOWER MICHIGAN...NORTHEAST ILLINOIS...NORTHERN INDIANA AND NORTHWEST OHIO... ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PORTIONS OF VIRGINIA AND NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are expected across parts of the upper Mississippi River Valley and Great Lakes this afternoon and evening. Tornadoes, some of which could be strong, and very large hail and damaging winds will be possible. Severe thunderstorms are also expected through the lower Ohio River Valley, Ozarks and in parts of the Mid-Atlantic. ...20z Update... Only minor changes were made to trim probabilities behind ongoing convective activity with this update. The Enhanced Risk across the Midwest remains unchanged. Thunderstorm activity has been ongoing in this region, with reports of a couple of tornadoes in western Minnesota. Expect thunderstorm activity to continue to strengthen in this area. See MCD#791 for more information on the short term threats. See previous discussion for more information concerning the broader Slight Risk across the Mid to upper Mississippi Valley and in the Central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic below. ..Thornton/Mosier.. 05/15/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1128 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025/ ...Mid to Upper Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes/Ohio Valley... Recent satellite imagery shows an upper low over SD, with a negatively tilted shortwave trough moving into the Mid MO Valley. Surface analysis places an occluded surface low associated with this system over southeast ND, with an occluded front extending southeastward to a triple point over far southeast SD. A cold front extends south-southeastward from this front across far western IA and into far northeast MO before arcing more southwestward across far western MO and more southwestward across western OK. A warm front extends easterward from this triple point across southern MN and then more southeastward across southwest WI and northern IL. These boundaries, including the occluded front, will all act in tandem with increasing large-scale forcing for ascent to force thunderstorm development this afternoon and evening. The ongoing storms from eastern SD into central MN are confirmation of the buoyancy sampled in the 12Z MPX sounding. Expectation is for instability to build across the region as heating and low-level moisture advection occur amid steep mid-level lapse rates. Airmass destabilization and thunderstorm development is anticipated first from the eastern Dakotas into MN, the occluded front as it shifts northward as both the primary surface low and triple point low shift northwestward. Additional development is then anticipated farther southeast along the warm front across WI. Storms that develop in the vicinity of the occluded front will likely have elevated structures, with large hail as the primary risk. Some isolated very large hail (i.e. greater than 2" in diameter) is possible. Farther southeast, the corridor along the warm front appears very favorable for supercells capable of all severe hazards, including very large hail, strong wind gusts, and tornadoes. A locally higher tornado potential may exist from central into southeastern WI from 18Z-22Z. Deeper mixing is anticipated farther south into northern IL, but the overall environment will still support robust, organized updrafts. There may be some trend initially for these storms to quickly become outflow dominant, but strengthening mid-level flow across the region after 21Z should aid in maintaining a more organized mode. Upscale growth into a organized MCS appears probable after 00Z, with the potential for significant-severe gusts as this line moves eastward in southern Lower MI. The threat for damaging gusts and isolated hail will persist throughout the night across Lower MI and the middle/upper OH Valley. ...Ozarks into the TN Valley... Additional thunderstorm development is anticipated this afternoon across AR as a cold front pushes eastward across the region. Moderate to strong flow aloft should allow for storms to move off this boundary quickly into a strongly buoyant airmass downstream. Warm air aloft could limit overall storm longevity during the afternoon/early evening, but the warm/dry mid-levels are conducive for producing strong outflows capable of damaging gusts. Whether or not organization will occur along these outflows is uncertain, but a conditional risk for continued damaging gusts exists into TN. Additional thunderstorms are possible during the evening and overnight in the wake of the front. Persistent steep mid-level lapse rates and strong shear will support large hail with some of these storms. ...Central Appalachians/Mid-Atlantic... Large-scale height rises are expected across the region, but diurnal heating and orographic effects will aid in thunderstorm development across the higher terrain this afternoon. Northwesterly flow aloft will favor a southeastward storm motion within an environment of moderate/locally strong instability. 35-45 kts of northwesterly deep shear is anticipated, supporting supercell structures and clusters, posing a risk for large hail and damaging winds. The overall hodograph structure and resulting storm motion appears favorable for some very large hail over 2" in diameter as well. Read more

SPC May 15, 2025 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

3 months ago
SPC 2000Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0227 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025 Valid 152000Z - 161200Z ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA....MUCH OF WISCONSIN...SOUTHERN AND WESTERN LOWER MICHIGAN...NORTHEAST ILLINOIS...NORTHERN INDIANA AND NORTHWEST OHIO... ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PORTIONS OF VIRGINIA AND NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are expected across parts of the upper Mississippi River Valley and Great Lakes this afternoon and evening. Tornadoes, some of which could be strong, and very large hail and damaging winds will be possible. Severe thunderstorms are also expected through the lower Ohio River Valley, Ozarks and in parts of the Mid-Atlantic. ...20z Update... Only minor changes were made to trim probabilities behind ongoing convective activity with this update. The Enhanced Risk across the Midwest remains unchanged. Thunderstorm activity has been ongoing in this region, with reports of a couple of tornadoes in western Minnesota. Expect thunderstorm activity to continue to strengthen in this area. See MCD#791 for more information on the short term threats. See previous discussion for more information concerning the broader Slight Risk across the Mid to upper Mississippi Valley and in the Central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic below. ..Thornton/Mosier.. 05/15/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1128 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025/ ...Mid to Upper Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes/Ohio Valley... Recent satellite imagery shows an upper low over SD, with a negatively tilted shortwave trough moving into the Mid MO Valley. Surface analysis places an occluded surface low associated with this system over southeast ND, with an occluded front extending southeastward to a triple point over far southeast SD. A cold front extends south-southeastward from this front across far western IA and into far northeast MO before arcing more southwestward across far western MO and more southwestward across western OK. A warm front extends easterward from this triple point across southern MN and then more southeastward across southwest WI and northern IL. These boundaries, including the occluded front, will all act in tandem with increasing large-scale forcing for ascent to force thunderstorm development this afternoon and evening. The ongoing storms from eastern SD into central MN are confirmation of the buoyancy sampled in the 12Z MPX sounding. Expectation is for instability to build across the region as heating and low-level moisture advection occur amid steep mid-level lapse rates. Airmass destabilization and thunderstorm development is anticipated first from the eastern Dakotas into MN, the occluded front as it shifts northward as both the primary surface low and triple point low shift northwestward. Additional development is then anticipated farther southeast along the warm front across WI. Storms that develop in the vicinity of the occluded front will likely have elevated structures, with large hail as the primary risk. Some isolated very large hail (i.e. greater than 2" in diameter) is possible. Farther southeast, the corridor along the warm front appears very favorable for supercells capable of all severe hazards, including very large hail, strong wind gusts, and tornadoes. A locally higher tornado potential may exist from central into southeastern WI from 18Z-22Z. Deeper mixing is anticipated farther south into northern IL, but the overall environment will still support robust, organized updrafts. There may be some trend initially for these storms to quickly become outflow dominant, but strengthening mid-level flow across the region after 21Z should aid in maintaining a more organized mode. Upscale growth into a organized MCS appears probable after 00Z, with the potential for significant-severe gusts as this line moves eastward in southern Lower MI. The threat for damaging gusts and isolated hail will persist throughout the night across Lower MI and the middle/upper OH Valley. ...Ozarks into the TN Valley... Additional thunderstorm development is anticipated this afternoon across AR as a cold front pushes eastward across the region. Moderate to strong flow aloft should allow for storms to move off this boundary quickly into a strongly buoyant airmass downstream. Warm air aloft could limit overall storm longevity during the afternoon/early evening, but the warm/dry mid-levels are conducive for producing strong outflows capable of damaging gusts. Whether or not organization will occur along these outflows is uncertain, but a conditional risk for continued damaging gusts exists into TN. Additional thunderstorms are possible during the evening and overnight in the wake of the front. Persistent steep mid-level lapse rates and strong shear will support large hail with some of these storms. ...Central Appalachians/Mid-Atlantic... Large-scale height rises are expected across the region, but diurnal heating and orographic effects will aid in thunderstorm development across the higher terrain this afternoon. Northwesterly flow aloft will favor a southeastward storm motion within an environment of moderate/locally strong instability. 35-45 kts of northwesterly deep shear is anticipated, supporting supercell structures and clusters, posing a risk for large hail and damaging winds. The overall hodograph structure and resulting storm motion appears favorable for some very large hail over 2" in diameter as well. Read more

SPC May 15, 2025 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

3 months ago
SPC 2000Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0227 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025 Valid 152000Z - 161200Z ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA....MUCH OF WISCONSIN...SOUTHERN AND WESTERN LOWER MICHIGAN...NORTHEAST ILLINOIS...NORTHERN INDIANA AND NORTHWEST OHIO... ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PORTIONS OF VIRGINIA AND NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are expected across parts of the upper Mississippi River Valley and Great Lakes this afternoon and evening. Tornadoes, some of which could be strong, and very large hail and damaging winds will be possible. Severe thunderstorms are also expected through the lower Ohio River Valley, Ozarks and in parts of the Mid-Atlantic. ...20z Update... Only minor changes were made to trim probabilities behind ongoing convective activity with this update. The Enhanced Risk across the Midwest remains unchanged. Thunderstorm activity has been ongoing in this region, with reports of a couple of tornadoes in western Minnesota. Expect thunderstorm activity to continue to strengthen in this area. See MCD#791 for more information on the short term threats. See previous discussion for more information concerning the broader Slight Risk across the Mid to upper Mississippi Valley and in the Central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic below. ..Thornton/Mosier.. 05/15/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1128 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025/ ...Mid to Upper Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes/Ohio Valley... Recent satellite imagery shows an upper low over SD, with a negatively tilted shortwave trough moving into the Mid MO Valley. Surface analysis places an occluded surface low associated with this system over southeast ND, with an occluded front extending southeastward to a triple point over far southeast SD. A cold front extends south-southeastward from this front across far western IA and into far northeast MO before arcing more southwestward across far western MO and more southwestward across western OK. A warm front extends easterward from this triple point across southern MN and then more southeastward across southwest WI and northern IL. These boundaries, including the occluded front, will all act in tandem with increasing large-scale forcing for ascent to force thunderstorm development this afternoon and evening. The ongoing storms from eastern SD into central MN are confirmation of the buoyancy sampled in the 12Z MPX sounding. Expectation is for instability to build across the region as heating and low-level moisture advection occur amid steep mid-level lapse rates. Airmass destabilization and thunderstorm development is anticipated first from the eastern Dakotas into MN, the occluded front as it shifts northward as both the primary surface low and triple point low shift northwestward. Additional development is then anticipated farther southeast along the warm front across WI. Storms that develop in the vicinity of the occluded front will likely have elevated structures, with large hail as the primary risk. Some isolated very large hail (i.e. greater than 2" in diameter) is possible. Farther southeast, the corridor along the warm front appears very favorable for supercells capable of all severe hazards, including very large hail, strong wind gusts, and tornadoes. A locally higher tornado potential may exist from central into southeastern WI from 18Z-22Z. Deeper mixing is anticipated farther south into northern IL, but the overall environment will still support robust, organized updrafts. There may be some trend initially for these storms to quickly become outflow dominant, but strengthening mid-level flow across the region after 21Z should aid in maintaining a more organized mode. Upscale growth into a organized MCS appears probable after 00Z, with the potential for significant-severe gusts as this line moves eastward in southern Lower MI. The threat for damaging gusts and isolated hail will persist throughout the night across Lower MI and the middle/upper OH Valley. ...Ozarks into the TN Valley... Additional thunderstorm development is anticipated this afternoon across AR as a cold front pushes eastward across the region. Moderate to strong flow aloft should allow for storms to move off this boundary quickly into a strongly buoyant airmass downstream. Warm air aloft could limit overall storm longevity during the afternoon/early evening, but the warm/dry mid-levels are conducive for producing strong outflows capable of damaging gusts. Whether or not organization will occur along these outflows is uncertain, but a conditional risk for continued damaging gusts exists into TN. Additional thunderstorms are possible during the evening and overnight in the wake of the front. Persistent steep mid-level lapse rates and strong shear will support large hail with some of these storms. ...Central Appalachians/Mid-Atlantic... Large-scale height rises are expected across the region, but diurnal heating and orographic effects will aid in thunderstorm development across the higher terrain this afternoon. Northwesterly flow aloft will favor a southeastward storm motion within an environment of moderate/locally strong instability. 35-45 kts of northwesterly deep shear is anticipated, supporting supercell structures and clusters, posing a risk for large hail and damaging winds. The overall hodograph structure and resulting storm motion appears favorable for some very large hail over 2" in diameter as well. Read more

SPC May 15, 2025 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

3 months ago
SPC 2000Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0227 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025 Valid 152000Z - 161200Z ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA....MUCH OF WISCONSIN...SOUTHERN AND WESTERN LOWER MICHIGAN...NORTHEAST ILLINOIS...NORTHERN INDIANA AND NORTHWEST OHIO... ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PORTIONS OF VIRGINIA AND NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are expected across parts of the upper Mississippi River Valley and Great Lakes this afternoon and evening. Tornadoes, some of which could be strong, and very large hail and damaging winds will be possible. Severe thunderstorms are also expected through the lower Ohio River Valley, Ozarks and in parts of the Mid-Atlantic. ...20z Update... Only minor changes were made to trim probabilities behind ongoing convective activity with this update. The Enhanced Risk across the Midwest remains unchanged. Thunderstorm activity has been ongoing in this region, with reports of a couple of tornadoes in western Minnesota. Expect thunderstorm activity to continue to strengthen in this area. See MCD#791 for more information on the short term threats. See previous discussion for more information concerning the broader Slight Risk across the Mid to upper Mississippi Valley and in the Central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic below. ..Thornton/Mosier.. 05/15/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1128 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025/ ...Mid to Upper Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes/Ohio Valley... Recent satellite imagery shows an upper low over SD, with a negatively tilted shortwave trough moving into the Mid MO Valley. Surface analysis places an occluded surface low associated with this system over southeast ND, with an occluded front extending southeastward to a triple point over far southeast SD. A cold front extends south-southeastward from this front across far western IA and into far northeast MO before arcing more southwestward across far western MO and more southwestward across western OK. A warm front extends easterward from this triple point across southern MN and then more southeastward across southwest WI and northern IL. These boundaries, including the occluded front, will all act in tandem with increasing large-scale forcing for ascent to force thunderstorm development this afternoon and evening. The ongoing storms from eastern SD into central MN are confirmation of the buoyancy sampled in the 12Z MPX sounding. Expectation is for instability to build across the region as heating and low-level moisture advection occur amid steep mid-level lapse rates. Airmass destabilization and thunderstorm development is anticipated first from the eastern Dakotas into MN, the occluded front as it shifts northward as both the primary surface low and triple point low shift northwestward. Additional development is then anticipated farther southeast along the warm front across WI. Storms that develop in the vicinity of the occluded front will likely have elevated structures, with large hail as the primary risk. Some isolated very large hail (i.e. greater than 2" in diameter) is possible. Farther southeast, the corridor along the warm front appears very favorable for supercells capable of all severe hazards, including very large hail, strong wind gusts, and tornadoes. A locally higher tornado potential may exist from central into southeastern WI from 18Z-22Z. Deeper mixing is anticipated farther south into northern IL, but the overall environment will still support robust, organized updrafts. There may be some trend initially for these storms to quickly become outflow dominant, but strengthening mid-level flow across the region after 21Z should aid in maintaining a more organized mode. Upscale growth into a organized MCS appears probable after 00Z, with the potential for significant-severe gusts as this line moves eastward in southern Lower MI. The threat for damaging gusts and isolated hail will persist throughout the night across Lower MI and the middle/upper OH Valley. ...Ozarks into the TN Valley... Additional thunderstorm development is anticipated this afternoon across AR as a cold front pushes eastward across the region. Moderate to strong flow aloft should allow for storms to move off this boundary quickly into a strongly buoyant airmass downstream. Warm air aloft could limit overall storm longevity during the afternoon/early evening, but the warm/dry mid-levels are conducive for producing strong outflows capable of damaging gusts. Whether or not organization will occur along these outflows is uncertain, but a conditional risk for continued damaging gusts exists into TN. Additional thunderstorms are possible during the evening and overnight in the wake of the front. Persistent steep mid-level lapse rates and strong shear will support large hail with some of these storms. ...Central Appalachians/Mid-Atlantic... Large-scale height rises are expected across the region, but diurnal heating and orographic effects will aid in thunderstorm development across the higher terrain this afternoon. Northwesterly flow aloft will favor a southeastward storm motion within an environment of moderate/locally strong instability. 35-45 kts of northwesterly deep shear is anticipated, supporting supercell structures and clusters, posing a risk for large hail and damaging winds. The overall hodograph structure and resulting storm motion appears favorable for some very large hail over 2" in diameter as well. Read more

SPC May 15, 2025 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

3 months ago
SPC 2000Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0227 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025 Valid 152000Z - 161200Z ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA....MUCH OF WISCONSIN...SOUTHERN AND WESTERN LOWER MICHIGAN...NORTHEAST ILLINOIS...NORTHERN INDIANA AND NORTHWEST OHIO... ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PORTIONS OF VIRGINIA AND NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are expected across parts of the upper Mississippi River Valley and Great Lakes this afternoon and evening. Tornadoes, some of which could be strong, and very large hail and damaging winds will be possible. Severe thunderstorms are also expected through the lower Ohio River Valley, Ozarks and in parts of the Mid-Atlantic. ...20z Update... Only minor changes were made to trim probabilities behind ongoing convective activity with this update. The Enhanced Risk across the Midwest remains unchanged. Thunderstorm activity has been ongoing in this region, with reports of a couple of tornadoes in western Minnesota. Expect thunderstorm activity to continue to strengthen in this area. See MCD#791 for more information on the short term threats. See previous discussion for more information concerning the broader Slight Risk across the Mid to upper Mississippi Valley and in the Central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic below. ..Thornton/Mosier.. 05/15/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1128 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025/ ...Mid to Upper Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes/Ohio Valley... Recent satellite imagery shows an upper low over SD, with a negatively tilted shortwave trough moving into the Mid MO Valley. Surface analysis places an occluded surface low associated with this system over southeast ND, with an occluded front extending southeastward to a triple point over far southeast SD. A cold front extends south-southeastward from this front across far western IA and into far northeast MO before arcing more southwestward across far western MO and more southwestward across western OK. A warm front extends easterward from this triple point across southern MN and then more southeastward across southwest WI and northern IL. These boundaries, including the occluded front, will all act in tandem with increasing large-scale forcing for ascent to force thunderstorm development this afternoon and evening. The ongoing storms from eastern SD into central MN are confirmation of the buoyancy sampled in the 12Z MPX sounding. Expectation is for instability to build across the region as heating and low-level moisture advection occur amid steep mid-level lapse rates. Airmass destabilization and thunderstorm development is anticipated first from the eastern Dakotas into MN, the occluded front as it shifts northward as both the primary surface low and triple point low shift northwestward. Additional development is then anticipated farther southeast along the warm front across WI. Storms that develop in the vicinity of the occluded front will likely have elevated structures, with large hail as the primary risk. Some isolated very large hail (i.e. greater than 2" in diameter) is possible. Farther southeast, the corridor along the warm front appears very favorable for supercells capable of all severe hazards, including very large hail, strong wind gusts, and tornadoes. A locally higher tornado potential may exist from central into southeastern WI from 18Z-22Z. Deeper mixing is anticipated farther south into northern IL, but the overall environment will still support robust, organized updrafts. There may be some trend initially for these storms to quickly become outflow dominant, but strengthening mid-level flow across the region after 21Z should aid in maintaining a more organized mode. Upscale growth into a organized MCS appears probable after 00Z, with the potential for significant-severe gusts as this line moves eastward in southern Lower MI. The threat for damaging gusts and isolated hail will persist throughout the night across Lower MI and the middle/upper OH Valley. ...Ozarks into the TN Valley... Additional thunderstorm development is anticipated this afternoon across AR as a cold front pushes eastward across the region. Moderate to strong flow aloft should allow for storms to move off this boundary quickly into a strongly buoyant airmass downstream. Warm air aloft could limit overall storm longevity during the afternoon/early evening, but the warm/dry mid-levels are conducive for producing strong outflows capable of damaging gusts. Whether or not organization will occur along these outflows is uncertain, but a conditional risk for continued damaging gusts exists into TN. Additional thunderstorms are possible during the evening and overnight in the wake of the front. Persistent steep mid-level lapse rates and strong shear will support large hail with some of these storms. ...Central Appalachians/Mid-Atlantic... Large-scale height rises are expected across the region, but diurnal heating and orographic effects will aid in thunderstorm development across the higher terrain this afternoon. Northwesterly flow aloft will favor a southeastward storm motion within an environment of moderate/locally strong instability. 35-45 kts of northwesterly deep shear is anticipated, supporting supercell structures and clusters, posing a risk for large hail and damaging winds. The overall hodograph structure and resulting storm motion appears favorable for some very large hail over 2" in diameter as well. Read more

SPC May 15, 2025 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

3 months ago
SPC 2000Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0227 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025 Valid 152000Z - 161200Z ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA....MUCH OF WISCONSIN...SOUTHERN AND WESTERN LOWER MICHIGAN...NORTHEAST ILLINOIS...NORTHERN INDIANA AND NORTHWEST OHIO... ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PORTIONS OF VIRGINIA AND NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are expected across parts of the upper Mississippi River Valley and Great Lakes this afternoon and evening. Tornadoes, some of which could be strong, and very large hail and damaging winds will be possible. Severe thunderstorms are also expected through the lower Ohio River Valley, Ozarks and in parts of the Mid-Atlantic. ...20z Update... Only minor changes were made to trim probabilities behind ongoing convective activity with this update. The Enhanced Risk across the Midwest remains unchanged. Thunderstorm activity has been ongoing in this region, with reports of a couple of tornadoes in western Minnesota. Expect thunderstorm activity to continue to strengthen in this area. See MCD#791 for more information on the short term threats. See previous discussion for more information concerning the broader Slight Risk across the Mid to upper Mississippi Valley and in the Central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic below. ..Thornton/Mosier.. 05/15/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1128 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025/ ...Mid to Upper Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes/Ohio Valley... Recent satellite imagery shows an upper low over SD, with a negatively tilted shortwave trough moving into the Mid MO Valley. Surface analysis places an occluded surface low associated with this system over southeast ND, with an occluded front extending southeastward to a triple point over far southeast SD. A cold front extends south-southeastward from this front across far western IA and into far northeast MO before arcing more southwestward across far western MO and more southwestward across western OK. A warm front extends easterward from this triple point across southern MN and then more southeastward across southwest WI and northern IL. These boundaries, including the occluded front, will all act in tandem with increasing large-scale forcing for ascent to force thunderstorm development this afternoon and evening. The ongoing storms from eastern SD into central MN are confirmation of the buoyancy sampled in the 12Z MPX sounding. Expectation is for instability to build across the region as heating and low-level moisture advection occur amid steep mid-level lapse rates. Airmass destabilization and thunderstorm development is anticipated first from the eastern Dakotas into MN, the occluded front as it shifts northward as both the primary surface low and triple point low shift northwestward. Additional development is then anticipated farther southeast along the warm front across WI. Storms that develop in the vicinity of the occluded front will likely have elevated structures, with large hail as the primary risk. Some isolated very large hail (i.e. greater than 2" in diameter) is possible. Farther southeast, the corridor along the warm front appears very favorable for supercells capable of all severe hazards, including very large hail, strong wind gusts, and tornadoes. A locally higher tornado potential may exist from central into southeastern WI from 18Z-22Z. Deeper mixing is anticipated farther south into northern IL, but the overall environment will still support robust, organized updrafts. There may be some trend initially for these storms to quickly become outflow dominant, but strengthening mid-level flow across the region after 21Z should aid in maintaining a more organized mode. Upscale growth into a organized MCS appears probable after 00Z, with the potential for significant-severe gusts as this line moves eastward in southern Lower MI. The threat for damaging gusts and isolated hail will persist throughout the night across Lower MI and the middle/upper OH Valley. ...Ozarks into the TN Valley... Additional thunderstorm development is anticipated this afternoon across AR as a cold front pushes eastward across the region. Moderate to strong flow aloft should allow for storms to move off this boundary quickly into a strongly buoyant airmass downstream. Warm air aloft could limit overall storm longevity during the afternoon/early evening, but the warm/dry mid-levels are conducive for producing strong outflows capable of damaging gusts. Whether or not organization will occur along these outflows is uncertain, but a conditional risk for continued damaging gusts exists into TN. Additional thunderstorms are possible during the evening and overnight in the wake of the front. Persistent steep mid-level lapse rates and strong shear will support large hail with some of these storms. ...Central Appalachians/Mid-Atlantic... Large-scale height rises are expected across the region, but diurnal heating and orographic effects will aid in thunderstorm development across the higher terrain this afternoon. Northwesterly flow aloft will favor a southeastward storm motion within an environment of moderate/locally strong instability. 35-45 kts of northwesterly deep shear is anticipated, supporting supercell structures and clusters, posing a risk for large hail and damaging winds. The overall hodograph structure and resulting storm motion appears favorable for some very large hail over 2" in diameter as well. Read more

SPC May 15, 2025 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

3 months ago
SPC 2000Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0227 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025 Valid 152000Z - 161200Z ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA....MUCH OF WISCONSIN...SOUTHERN AND WESTERN LOWER MICHIGAN...NORTHEAST ILLINOIS...NORTHERN INDIANA AND NORTHWEST OHIO... ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PORTIONS OF VIRGINIA AND NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are expected across parts of the upper Mississippi River Valley and Great Lakes this afternoon and evening. Tornadoes, some of which could be strong, and very large hail and damaging winds will be possible. Severe thunderstorms are also expected through the lower Ohio River Valley, Ozarks and in parts of the Mid-Atlantic. ...20z Update... Only minor changes were made to trim probabilities behind ongoing convective activity with this update. The Enhanced Risk across the Midwest remains unchanged. Thunderstorm activity has been ongoing in this region, with reports of a couple of tornadoes in western Minnesota. Expect thunderstorm activity to continue to strengthen in this area. See MCD#791 for more information on the short term threats. See previous discussion for more information concerning the broader Slight Risk across the Mid to upper Mississippi Valley and in the Central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic below. ..Thornton/Mosier.. 05/15/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1128 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025/ ...Mid to Upper Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes/Ohio Valley... Recent satellite imagery shows an upper low over SD, with a negatively tilted shortwave trough moving into the Mid MO Valley. Surface analysis places an occluded surface low associated with this system over southeast ND, with an occluded front extending southeastward to a triple point over far southeast SD. A cold front extends south-southeastward from this front across far western IA and into far northeast MO before arcing more southwestward across far western MO and more southwestward across western OK. A warm front extends easterward from this triple point across southern MN and then more southeastward across southwest WI and northern IL. These boundaries, including the occluded front, will all act in tandem with increasing large-scale forcing for ascent to force thunderstorm development this afternoon and evening. The ongoing storms from eastern SD into central MN are confirmation of the buoyancy sampled in the 12Z MPX sounding. Expectation is for instability to build across the region as heating and low-level moisture advection occur amid steep mid-level lapse rates. Airmass destabilization and thunderstorm development is anticipated first from the eastern Dakotas into MN, the occluded front as it shifts northward as both the primary surface low and triple point low shift northwestward. Additional development is then anticipated farther southeast along the warm front across WI. Storms that develop in the vicinity of the occluded front will likely have elevated structures, with large hail as the primary risk. Some isolated very large hail (i.e. greater than 2" in diameter) is possible. Farther southeast, the corridor along the warm front appears very favorable for supercells capable of all severe hazards, including very large hail, strong wind gusts, and tornadoes. A locally higher tornado potential may exist from central into southeastern WI from 18Z-22Z. Deeper mixing is anticipated farther south into northern IL, but the overall environment will still support robust, organized updrafts. There may be some trend initially for these storms to quickly become outflow dominant, but strengthening mid-level flow across the region after 21Z should aid in maintaining a more organized mode. Upscale growth into a organized MCS appears probable after 00Z, with the potential for significant-severe gusts as this line moves eastward in southern Lower MI. The threat for damaging gusts and isolated hail will persist throughout the night across Lower MI and the middle/upper OH Valley. ...Ozarks into the TN Valley... Additional thunderstorm development is anticipated this afternoon across AR as a cold front pushes eastward across the region. Moderate to strong flow aloft should allow for storms to move off this boundary quickly into a strongly buoyant airmass downstream. Warm air aloft could limit overall storm longevity during the afternoon/early evening, but the warm/dry mid-levels are conducive for producing strong outflows capable of damaging gusts. Whether or not organization will occur along these outflows is uncertain, but a conditional risk for continued damaging gusts exists into TN. Additional thunderstorms are possible during the evening and overnight in the wake of the front. Persistent steep mid-level lapse rates and strong shear will support large hail with some of these storms. ...Central Appalachians/Mid-Atlantic... Large-scale height rises are expected across the region, but diurnal heating and orographic effects will aid in thunderstorm development across the higher terrain this afternoon. Northwesterly flow aloft will favor a southeastward storm motion within an environment of moderate/locally strong instability. 35-45 kts of northwesterly deep shear is anticipated, supporting supercell structures and clusters, posing a risk for large hail and damaging winds. The overall hodograph structure and resulting storm motion appears favorable for some very large hail over 2" in diameter as well. Read more

SPC May 15, 2025 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

3 months ago
SPC 2000Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0227 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025 Valid 152000Z - 161200Z ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA....MUCH OF WISCONSIN...SOUTHERN AND WESTERN LOWER MICHIGAN...NORTHEAST ILLINOIS...NORTHERN INDIANA AND NORTHWEST OHIO... ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PORTIONS OF VIRGINIA AND NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are expected across parts of the upper Mississippi River Valley and Great Lakes this afternoon and evening. Tornadoes, some of which could be strong, and very large hail and damaging winds will be possible. Severe thunderstorms are also expected through the lower Ohio River Valley, Ozarks and in parts of the Mid-Atlantic. ...20z Update... Only minor changes were made to trim probabilities behind ongoing convective activity with this update. The Enhanced Risk across the Midwest remains unchanged. Thunderstorm activity has been ongoing in this region, with reports of a couple of tornadoes in western Minnesota. Expect thunderstorm activity to continue to strengthen in this area. See MCD#791 for more information on the short term threats. See previous discussion for more information concerning the broader Slight Risk across the Mid to upper Mississippi Valley and in the Central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic below. ..Thornton/Mosier.. 05/15/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1128 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025/ ...Mid to Upper Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes/Ohio Valley... Recent satellite imagery shows an upper low over SD, with a negatively tilted shortwave trough moving into the Mid MO Valley. Surface analysis places an occluded surface low associated with this system over southeast ND, with an occluded front extending southeastward to a triple point over far southeast SD. A cold front extends south-southeastward from this front across far western IA and into far northeast MO before arcing more southwestward across far western MO and more southwestward across western OK. A warm front extends easterward from this triple point across southern MN and then more southeastward across southwest WI and northern IL. These boundaries, including the occluded front, will all act in tandem with increasing large-scale forcing for ascent to force thunderstorm development this afternoon and evening. The ongoing storms from eastern SD into central MN are confirmation of the buoyancy sampled in the 12Z MPX sounding. Expectation is for instability to build across the region as heating and low-level moisture advection occur amid steep mid-level lapse rates. Airmass destabilization and thunderstorm development is anticipated first from the eastern Dakotas into MN, the occluded front as it shifts northward as both the primary surface low and triple point low shift northwestward. Additional development is then anticipated farther southeast along the warm front across WI. Storms that develop in the vicinity of the occluded front will likely have elevated structures, with large hail as the primary risk. Some isolated very large hail (i.e. greater than 2" in diameter) is possible. Farther southeast, the corridor along the warm front appears very favorable for supercells capable of all severe hazards, including very large hail, strong wind gusts, and tornadoes. A locally higher tornado potential may exist from central into southeastern WI from 18Z-22Z. Deeper mixing is anticipated farther south into northern IL, but the overall environment will still support robust, organized updrafts. There may be some trend initially for these storms to quickly become outflow dominant, but strengthening mid-level flow across the region after 21Z should aid in maintaining a more organized mode. Upscale growth into a organized MCS appears probable after 00Z, with the potential for significant-severe gusts as this line moves eastward in southern Lower MI. The threat for damaging gusts and isolated hail will persist throughout the night across Lower MI and the middle/upper OH Valley. ...Ozarks into the TN Valley... Additional thunderstorm development is anticipated this afternoon across AR as a cold front pushes eastward across the region. Moderate to strong flow aloft should allow for storms to move off this boundary quickly into a strongly buoyant airmass downstream. Warm air aloft could limit overall storm longevity during the afternoon/early evening, but the warm/dry mid-levels are conducive for producing strong outflows capable of damaging gusts. Whether or not organization will occur along these outflows is uncertain, but a conditional risk for continued damaging gusts exists into TN. Additional thunderstorms are possible during the evening and overnight in the wake of the front. Persistent steep mid-level lapse rates and strong shear will support large hail with some of these storms. ...Central Appalachians/Mid-Atlantic... Large-scale height rises are expected across the region, but diurnal heating and orographic effects will aid in thunderstorm development across the higher terrain this afternoon. Northwesterly flow aloft will favor a southeastward storm motion within an environment of moderate/locally strong instability. 35-45 kts of northwesterly deep shear is anticipated, supporting supercell structures and clusters, posing a risk for large hail and damaging winds. The overall hodograph structure and resulting storm motion appears favorable for some very large hail over 2" in diameter as well. Read more

SPC May 15, 2025 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

3 months ago
SPC 2000Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0227 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025 Valid 152000Z - 161200Z ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA....MUCH OF WISCONSIN...SOUTHERN AND WESTERN LOWER MICHIGAN...NORTHEAST ILLINOIS...NORTHERN INDIANA AND NORTHWEST OHIO... ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PORTIONS OF VIRGINIA AND NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are expected across parts of the upper Mississippi River Valley and Great Lakes this afternoon and evening. Tornadoes, some of which could be strong, and very large hail and damaging winds will be possible. Severe thunderstorms are also expected through the lower Ohio River Valley, Ozarks and in parts of the Mid-Atlantic. ...20z Update... Only minor changes were made to trim probabilities behind ongoing convective activity with this update. The Enhanced Risk across the Midwest remains unchanged. Thunderstorm activity has been ongoing in this region, with reports of a couple of tornadoes in western Minnesota. Expect thunderstorm activity to continue to strengthen in this area. See MCD#791 for more information on the short term threats. See previous discussion for more information concerning the broader Slight Risk across the Mid to upper Mississippi Valley and in the Central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic below. ..Thornton/Mosier.. 05/15/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1128 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025/ ...Mid to Upper Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes/Ohio Valley... Recent satellite imagery shows an upper low over SD, with a negatively tilted shortwave trough moving into the Mid MO Valley. Surface analysis places an occluded surface low associated with this system over southeast ND, with an occluded front extending southeastward to a triple point over far southeast SD. A cold front extends south-southeastward from this front across far western IA and into far northeast MO before arcing more southwestward across far western MO and more southwestward across western OK. A warm front extends easterward from this triple point across southern MN and then more southeastward across southwest WI and northern IL. These boundaries, including the occluded front, will all act in tandem with increasing large-scale forcing for ascent to force thunderstorm development this afternoon and evening. The ongoing storms from eastern SD into central MN are confirmation of the buoyancy sampled in the 12Z MPX sounding. Expectation is for instability to build across the region as heating and low-level moisture advection occur amid steep mid-level lapse rates. Airmass destabilization and thunderstorm development is anticipated first from the eastern Dakotas into MN, the occluded front as it shifts northward as both the primary surface low and triple point low shift northwestward. Additional development is then anticipated farther southeast along the warm front across WI. Storms that develop in the vicinity of the occluded front will likely have elevated structures, with large hail as the primary risk. Some isolated very large hail (i.e. greater than 2" in diameter) is possible. Farther southeast, the corridor along the warm front appears very favorable for supercells capable of all severe hazards, including very large hail, strong wind gusts, and tornadoes. A locally higher tornado potential may exist from central into southeastern WI from 18Z-22Z. Deeper mixing is anticipated farther south into northern IL, but the overall environment will still support robust, organized updrafts. There may be some trend initially for these storms to quickly become outflow dominant, but strengthening mid-level flow across the region after 21Z should aid in maintaining a more organized mode. Upscale growth into a organized MCS appears probable after 00Z, with the potential for significant-severe gusts as this line moves eastward in southern Lower MI. The threat for damaging gusts and isolated hail will persist throughout the night across Lower MI and the middle/upper OH Valley. ...Ozarks into the TN Valley... Additional thunderstorm development is anticipated this afternoon across AR as a cold front pushes eastward across the region. Moderate to strong flow aloft should allow for storms to move off this boundary quickly into a strongly buoyant airmass downstream. Warm air aloft could limit overall storm longevity during the afternoon/early evening, but the warm/dry mid-levels are conducive for producing strong outflows capable of damaging gusts. Whether or not organization will occur along these outflows is uncertain, but a conditional risk for continued damaging gusts exists into TN. Additional thunderstorms are possible during the evening and overnight in the wake of the front. Persistent steep mid-level lapse rates and strong shear will support large hail with some of these storms. ...Central Appalachians/Mid-Atlantic... Large-scale height rises are expected across the region, but diurnal heating and orographic effects will aid in thunderstorm development across the higher terrain this afternoon. Northwesterly flow aloft will favor a southeastward storm motion within an environment of moderate/locally strong instability. 35-45 kts of northwesterly deep shear is anticipated, supporting supercell structures and clusters, posing a risk for large hail and damaging winds. The overall hodograph structure and resulting storm motion appears favorable for some very large hail over 2" in diameter as well. Read more

SPC May 15, 2025 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

3 months ago
SPC 2000Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0227 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025 Valid 152000Z - 161200Z ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA....MUCH OF WISCONSIN...SOUTHERN AND WESTERN LOWER MICHIGAN...NORTHEAST ILLINOIS...NORTHERN INDIANA AND NORTHWEST OHIO... ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PORTIONS OF VIRGINIA AND NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are expected across parts of the upper Mississippi River Valley and Great Lakes this afternoon and evening. Tornadoes, some of which could be strong, and very large hail and damaging winds will be possible. Severe thunderstorms are also expected through the lower Ohio River Valley, Ozarks and in parts of the Mid-Atlantic. ...20z Update... Only minor changes were made to trim probabilities behind ongoing convective activity with this update. The Enhanced Risk across the Midwest remains unchanged. Thunderstorm activity has been ongoing in this region, with reports of a couple of tornadoes in western Minnesota. Expect thunderstorm activity to continue to strengthen in this area. See MCD#791 for more information on the short term threats. See previous discussion for more information concerning the broader Slight Risk across the Mid to upper Mississippi Valley and in the Central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic below. ..Thornton/Mosier.. 05/15/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1128 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025/ ...Mid to Upper Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes/Ohio Valley... Recent satellite imagery shows an upper low over SD, with a negatively tilted shortwave trough moving into the Mid MO Valley. Surface analysis places an occluded surface low associated with this system over southeast ND, with an occluded front extending southeastward to a triple point over far southeast SD. A cold front extends south-southeastward from this front across far western IA and into far northeast MO before arcing more southwestward across far western MO and more southwestward across western OK. A warm front extends easterward from this triple point across southern MN and then more southeastward across southwest WI and northern IL. These boundaries, including the occluded front, will all act in tandem with increasing large-scale forcing for ascent to force thunderstorm development this afternoon and evening. The ongoing storms from eastern SD into central MN are confirmation of the buoyancy sampled in the 12Z MPX sounding. Expectation is for instability to build across the region as heating and low-level moisture advection occur amid steep mid-level lapse rates. Airmass destabilization and thunderstorm development is anticipated first from the eastern Dakotas into MN, the occluded front as it shifts northward as both the primary surface low and triple point low shift northwestward. Additional development is then anticipated farther southeast along the warm front across WI. Storms that develop in the vicinity of the occluded front will likely have elevated structures, with large hail as the primary risk. Some isolated very large hail (i.e. greater than 2" in diameter) is possible. Farther southeast, the corridor along the warm front appears very favorable for supercells capable of all severe hazards, including very large hail, strong wind gusts, and tornadoes. A locally higher tornado potential may exist from central into southeastern WI from 18Z-22Z. Deeper mixing is anticipated farther south into northern IL, but the overall environment will still support robust, organized updrafts. There may be some trend initially for these storms to quickly become outflow dominant, but strengthening mid-level flow across the region after 21Z should aid in maintaining a more organized mode. Upscale growth into a organized MCS appears probable after 00Z, with the potential for significant-severe gusts as this line moves eastward in southern Lower MI. The threat for damaging gusts and isolated hail will persist throughout the night across Lower MI and the middle/upper OH Valley. ...Ozarks into the TN Valley... Additional thunderstorm development is anticipated this afternoon across AR as a cold front pushes eastward across the region. Moderate to strong flow aloft should allow for storms to move off this boundary quickly into a strongly buoyant airmass downstream. Warm air aloft could limit overall storm longevity during the afternoon/early evening, but the warm/dry mid-levels are conducive for producing strong outflows capable of damaging gusts. Whether or not organization will occur along these outflows is uncertain, but a conditional risk for continued damaging gusts exists into TN. Additional thunderstorms are possible during the evening and overnight in the wake of the front. Persistent steep mid-level lapse rates and strong shear will support large hail with some of these storms. ...Central Appalachians/Mid-Atlantic... Large-scale height rises are expected across the region, but diurnal heating and orographic effects will aid in thunderstorm development across the higher terrain this afternoon. Northwesterly flow aloft will favor a southeastward storm motion within an environment of moderate/locally strong instability. 35-45 kts of northwesterly deep shear is anticipated, supporting supercell structures and clusters, posing a risk for large hail and damaging winds. The overall hodograph structure and resulting storm motion appears favorable for some very large hail over 2" in diameter as well. Read more

SPC May 15, 2025 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

3 months ago
SPC 2000Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0227 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025 Valid 152000Z - 161200Z ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA....MUCH OF WISCONSIN...SOUTHERN AND WESTERN LOWER MICHIGAN...NORTHEAST ILLINOIS...NORTHERN INDIANA AND NORTHWEST OHIO... ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PORTIONS OF VIRGINIA AND NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are expected across parts of the upper Mississippi River Valley and Great Lakes this afternoon and evening. Tornadoes, some of which could be strong, and very large hail and damaging winds will be possible. Severe thunderstorms are also expected through the lower Ohio River Valley, Ozarks and in parts of the Mid-Atlantic. ...20z Update... Only minor changes were made to trim probabilities behind ongoing convective activity with this update. The Enhanced Risk across the Midwest remains unchanged. Thunderstorm activity has been ongoing in this region, with reports of a couple of tornadoes in western Minnesota. Expect thunderstorm activity to continue to strengthen in this area. See MCD#791 for more information on the short term threats. See previous discussion for more information concerning the broader Slight Risk across the Mid to upper Mississippi Valley and in the Central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic below. ..Thornton/Mosier.. 05/15/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1128 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025/ ...Mid to Upper Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes/Ohio Valley... Recent satellite imagery shows an upper low over SD, with a negatively tilted shortwave trough moving into the Mid MO Valley. Surface analysis places an occluded surface low associated with this system over southeast ND, with an occluded front extending southeastward to a triple point over far southeast SD. A cold front extends south-southeastward from this front across far western IA and into far northeast MO before arcing more southwestward across far western MO and more southwestward across western OK. A warm front extends easterward from this triple point across southern MN and then more southeastward across southwest WI and northern IL. These boundaries, including the occluded front, will all act in tandem with increasing large-scale forcing for ascent to force thunderstorm development this afternoon and evening. The ongoing storms from eastern SD into central MN are confirmation of the buoyancy sampled in the 12Z MPX sounding. Expectation is for instability to build across the region as heating and low-level moisture advection occur amid steep mid-level lapse rates. Airmass destabilization and thunderstorm development is anticipated first from the eastern Dakotas into MN, the occluded front as it shifts northward as both the primary surface low and triple point low shift northwestward. Additional development is then anticipated farther southeast along the warm front across WI. Storms that develop in the vicinity of the occluded front will likely have elevated structures, with large hail as the primary risk. Some isolated very large hail (i.e. greater than 2" in diameter) is possible. Farther southeast, the corridor along the warm front appears very favorable for supercells capable of all severe hazards, including very large hail, strong wind gusts, and tornadoes. A locally higher tornado potential may exist from central into southeastern WI from 18Z-22Z. Deeper mixing is anticipated farther south into northern IL, but the overall environment will still support robust, organized updrafts. There may be some trend initially for these storms to quickly become outflow dominant, but strengthening mid-level flow across the region after 21Z should aid in maintaining a more organized mode. Upscale growth into a organized MCS appears probable after 00Z, with the potential for significant-severe gusts as this line moves eastward in southern Lower MI. The threat for damaging gusts and isolated hail will persist throughout the night across Lower MI and the middle/upper OH Valley. ...Ozarks into the TN Valley... Additional thunderstorm development is anticipated this afternoon across AR as a cold front pushes eastward across the region. Moderate to strong flow aloft should allow for storms to move off this boundary quickly into a strongly buoyant airmass downstream. Warm air aloft could limit overall storm longevity during the afternoon/early evening, but the warm/dry mid-levels are conducive for producing strong outflows capable of damaging gusts. Whether or not organization will occur along these outflows is uncertain, but a conditional risk for continued damaging gusts exists into TN. Additional thunderstorms are possible during the evening and overnight in the wake of the front. Persistent steep mid-level lapse rates and strong shear will support large hail with some of these storms. ...Central Appalachians/Mid-Atlantic... Large-scale height rises are expected across the region, but diurnal heating and orographic effects will aid in thunderstorm development across the higher terrain this afternoon. Northwesterly flow aloft will favor a southeastward storm motion within an environment of moderate/locally strong instability. 35-45 kts of northwesterly deep shear is anticipated, supporting supercell structures and clusters, posing a risk for large hail and damaging winds. The overall hodograph structure and resulting storm motion appears favorable for some very large hail over 2" in diameter as well. Read more

SPC May 15, 2025 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

3 months ago
SPC 2000Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0227 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025 Valid 152000Z - 161200Z ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA....MUCH OF WISCONSIN...SOUTHERN AND WESTERN LOWER MICHIGAN...NORTHEAST ILLINOIS...NORTHERN INDIANA AND NORTHWEST OHIO... ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PORTIONS OF VIRGINIA AND NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are expected across parts of the upper Mississippi River Valley and Great Lakes this afternoon and evening. Tornadoes, some of which could be strong, and very large hail and damaging winds will be possible. Severe thunderstorms are also expected through the lower Ohio River Valley, Ozarks and in parts of the Mid-Atlantic. ...20z Update... Only minor changes were made to trim probabilities behind ongoing convective activity with this update. The Enhanced Risk across the Midwest remains unchanged. Thunderstorm activity has been ongoing in this region, with reports of a couple of tornadoes in western Minnesota. Expect thunderstorm activity to continue to strengthen in this area. See MCD#791 for more information on the short term threats. See previous discussion for more information concerning the broader Slight Risk across the Mid to upper Mississippi Valley and in the Central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic below. ..Thornton/Mosier.. 05/15/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1128 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025/ ...Mid to Upper Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes/Ohio Valley... Recent satellite imagery shows an upper low over SD, with a negatively tilted shortwave trough moving into the Mid MO Valley. Surface analysis places an occluded surface low associated with this system over southeast ND, with an occluded front extending southeastward to a triple point over far southeast SD. A cold front extends south-southeastward from this front across far western IA and into far northeast MO before arcing more southwestward across far western MO and more southwestward across western OK. A warm front extends easterward from this triple point across southern MN and then more southeastward across southwest WI and northern IL. These boundaries, including the occluded front, will all act in tandem with increasing large-scale forcing for ascent to force thunderstorm development this afternoon and evening. The ongoing storms from eastern SD into central MN are confirmation of the buoyancy sampled in the 12Z MPX sounding. Expectation is for instability to build across the region as heating and low-level moisture advection occur amid steep mid-level lapse rates. Airmass destabilization and thunderstorm development is anticipated first from the eastern Dakotas into MN, the occluded front as it shifts northward as both the primary surface low and triple point low shift northwestward. Additional development is then anticipated farther southeast along the warm front across WI. Storms that develop in the vicinity of the occluded front will likely have elevated structures, with large hail as the primary risk. Some isolated very large hail (i.e. greater than 2" in diameter) is possible. Farther southeast, the corridor along the warm front appears very favorable for supercells capable of all severe hazards, including very large hail, strong wind gusts, and tornadoes. A locally higher tornado potential may exist from central into southeastern WI from 18Z-22Z. Deeper mixing is anticipated farther south into northern IL, but the overall environment will still support robust, organized updrafts. There may be some trend initially for these storms to quickly become outflow dominant, but strengthening mid-level flow across the region after 21Z should aid in maintaining a more organized mode. Upscale growth into a organized MCS appears probable after 00Z, with the potential for significant-severe gusts as this line moves eastward in southern Lower MI. The threat for damaging gusts and isolated hail will persist throughout the night across Lower MI and the middle/upper OH Valley. ...Ozarks into the TN Valley... Additional thunderstorm development is anticipated this afternoon across AR as a cold front pushes eastward across the region. Moderate to strong flow aloft should allow for storms to move off this boundary quickly into a strongly buoyant airmass downstream. Warm air aloft could limit overall storm longevity during the afternoon/early evening, but the warm/dry mid-levels are conducive for producing strong outflows capable of damaging gusts. Whether or not organization will occur along these outflows is uncertain, but a conditional risk for continued damaging gusts exists into TN. Additional thunderstorms are possible during the evening and overnight in the wake of the front. Persistent steep mid-level lapse rates and strong shear will support large hail with some of these storms. ...Central Appalachians/Mid-Atlantic... Large-scale height rises are expected across the region, but diurnal heating and orographic effects will aid in thunderstorm development across the higher terrain this afternoon. Northwesterly flow aloft will favor a southeastward storm motion within an environment of moderate/locally strong instability. 35-45 kts of northwesterly deep shear is anticipated, supporting supercell structures and clusters, posing a risk for large hail and damaging winds. The overall hodograph structure and resulting storm motion appears favorable for some very large hail over 2" in diameter as well. Read more

SPC May 15, 2025 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

3 months ago
SPC 2000Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0227 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025 Valid 152000Z - 161200Z ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA....MUCH OF WISCONSIN...SOUTHERN AND WESTERN LOWER MICHIGAN...NORTHEAST ILLINOIS...NORTHERN INDIANA AND NORTHWEST OHIO... ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PORTIONS OF VIRGINIA AND NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are expected across parts of the upper Mississippi River Valley and Great Lakes this afternoon and evening. Tornadoes, some of which could be strong, and very large hail and damaging winds will be possible. Severe thunderstorms are also expected through the lower Ohio River Valley, Ozarks and in parts of the Mid-Atlantic. ...20z Update... Only minor changes were made to trim probabilities behind ongoing convective activity with this update. The Enhanced Risk across the Midwest remains unchanged. Thunderstorm activity has been ongoing in this region, with reports of a couple of tornadoes in western Minnesota. Expect thunderstorm activity to continue to strengthen in this area. See MCD#791 for more information on the short term threats. See previous discussion for more information concerning the broader Slight Risk across the Mid to upper Mississippi Valley and in the Central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic below. ..Thornton/Mosier.. 05/15/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1128 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025/ ...Mid to Upper Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes/Ohio Valley... Recent satellite imagery shows an upper low over SD, with a negatively tilted shortwave trough moving into the Mid MO Valley. Surface analysis places an occluded surface low associated with this system over southeast ND, with an occluded front extending southeastward to a triple point over far southeast SD. A cold front extends south-southeastward from this front across far western IA and into far northeast MO before arcing more southwestward across far western MO and more southwestward across western OK. A warm front extends easterward from this triple point across southern MN and then more southeastward across southwest WI and northern IL. These boundaries, including the occluded front, will all act in tandem with increasing large-scale forcing for ascent to force thunderstorm development this afternoon and evening. The ongoing storms from eastern SD into central MN are confirmation of the buoyancy sampled in the 12Z MPX sounding. Expectation is for instability to build across the region as heating and low-level moisture advection occur amid steep mid-level lapse rates. Airmass destabilization and thunderstorm development is anticipated first from the eastern Dakotas into MN, the occluded front as it shifts northward as both the primary surface low and triple point low shift northwestward. Additional development is then anticipated farther southeast along the warm front across WI. Storms that develop in the vicinity of the occluded front will likely have elevated structures, with large hail as the primary risk. Some isolated very large hail (i.e. greater than 2" in diameter) is possible. Farther southeast, the corridor along the warm front appears very favorable for supercells capable of all severe hazards, including very large hail, strong wind gusts, and tornadoes. A locally higher tornado potential may exist from central into southeastern WI from 18Z-22Z. Deeper mixing is anticipated farther south into northern IL, but the overall environment will still support robust, organized updrafts. There may be some trend initially for these storms to quickly become outflow dominant, but strengthening mid-level flow across the region after 21Z should aid in maintaining a more organized mode. Upscale growth into a organized MCS appears probable after 00Z, with the potential for significant-severe gusts as this line moves eastward in southern Lower MI. The threat for damaging gusts and isolated hail will persist throughout the night across Lower MI and the middle/upper OH Valley. ...Ozarks into the TN Valley... Additional thunderstorm development is anticipated this afternoon across AR as a cold front pushes eastward across the region. Moderate to strong flow aloft should allow for storms to move off this boundary quickly into a strongly buoyant airmass downstream. Warm air aloft could limit overall storm longevity during the afternoon/early evening, but the warm/dry mid-levels are conducive for producing strong outflows capable of damaging gusts. Whether or not organization will occur along these outflows is uncertain, but a conditional risk for continued damaging gusts exists into TN. Additional thunderstorms are possible during the evening and overnight in the wake of the front. Persistent steep mid-level lapse rates and strong shear will support large hail with some of these storms. ...Central Appalachians/Mid-Atlantic... Large-scale height rises are expected across the region, but diurnal heating and orographic effects will aid in thunderstorm development across the higher terrain this afternoon. Northwesterly flow aloft will favor a southeastward storm motion within an environment of moderate/locally strong instability. 35-45 kts of northwesterly deep shear is anticipated, supporting supercell structures and clusters, posing a risk for large hail and damaging winds. The overall hodograph structure and resulting storm motion appears favorable for some very large hail over 2" in diameter as well. Read more

SPC May 15, 2025 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

3 months ago
SPC 2000Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0227 PM CDT Thu May 15 2025 Valid 152000Z - 161200Z ...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS EAST-CENTRAL MINNESOTA....MUCH OF WISCONSIN...SOUTHERN AND WESTERN LOWER MICHIGAN...NORTHEAST ILLINOIS...NORTHERN INDIANA AND NORTHWEST OHIO... ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PORTIONS OF VIRGINIA AND NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are expected across parts of the upper Mississippi River Valley and Great Lakes this afternoon and evening. Tornadoes, some of which could be strong, and very large hail and damaging winds will be possible. Severe thunderstorms are also expected through the lower Ohio River Valley, Ozarks and in parts of the Mid-Atlantic. ...20z Update... Only minor changes were made to trim probabilities behind ongoing convective activity with this update. The Enhanced Risk across the Midwest remains unchanged. Thunderstorm activity has been ongoing in this region, with reports of a couple of tornadoes in western Minnesota. Expect thunderstorm activity to continue to strengthen in this area. See MCD#791 for more information on the short term threats. See previous discussion for more information concerning the broader Slight Risk across the Mid to upper Mississippi Valley and in the Central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic below. ..Thornton/Mosier.. 05/15/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1128 AM CDT Thu May 15 2025/ ...Mid to Upper Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes/Ohio Valley... Recent satellite imagery shows an upper low over SD, with a negatively tilted shortwave trough moving into the Mid MO Valley. Surface analysis places an occluded surface low associated with this system over southeast ND, with an occluded front extending southeastward to a triple point over far southeast SD. A cold front extends south-southeastward from this front across far western IA and into far northeast MO before arcing more southwestward across far western MO and more southwestward across western OK. A warm front extends easterward from this triple point across southern MN and then more southeastward across southwest WI and northern IL. These boundaries, including the occluded front, will all act in tandem with increasing large-scale forcing for ascent to force thunderstorm development this afternoon and evening. The ongoing storms from eastern SD into central MN are confirmation of the buoyancy sampled in the 12Z MPX sounding. Expectation is for instability to build across the region as heating and low-level moisture advection occur amid steep mid-level lapse rates. Airmass destabilization and thunderstorm development is anticipated first from the eastern Dakotas into MN, the occluded front as it shifts northward as both the primary surface low and triple point low shift northwestward. Additional development is then anticipated farther southeast along the warm front across WI. Storms that develop in the vicinity of the occluded front will likely have elevated structures, with large hail as the primary risk. Some isolated very large hail (i.e. greater than 2" in diameter) is possible. Farther southeast, the corridor along the warm front appears very favorable for supercells capable of all severe hazards, including very large hail, strong wind gusts, and tornadoes. A locally higher tornado potential may exist from central into southeastern WI from 18Z-22Z. Deeper mixing is anticipated farther south into northern IL, but the overall environment will still support robust, organized updrafts. There may be some trend initially for these storms to quickly become outflow dominant, but strengthening mid-level flow across the region after 21Z should aid in maintaining a more organized mode. Upscale growth into a organized MCS appears probable after 00Z, with the potential for significant-severe gusts as this line moves eastward in southern Lower MI. The threat for damaging gusts and isolated hail will persist throughout the night across Lower MI and the middle/upper OH Valley. ...Ozarks into the TN Valley... Additional thunderstorm development is anticipated this afternoon across AR as a cold front pushes eastward across the region. Moderate to strong flow aloft should allow for storms to move off this boundary quickly into a strongly buoyant airmass downstream. Warm air aloft could limit overall storm longevity during the afternoon/early evening, but the warm/dry mid-levels are conducive for producing strong outflows capable of damaging gusts. Whether or not organization will occur along these outflows is uncertain, but a conditional risk for continued damaging gusts exists into TN. Additional thunderstorms are possible during the evening and overnight in the wake of the front. Persistent steep mid-level lapse rates and strong shear will support large hail with some of these storms. ...Central Appalachians/Mid-Atlantic... Large-scale height rises are expected across the region, but diurnal heating and orographic effects will aid in thunderstorm development across the higher terrain this afternoon. Northwesterly flow aloft will favor a southeastward storm motion within an environment of moderate/locally strong instability. 35-45 kts of northwesterly deep shear is anticipated, supporting supercell structures and clusters, posing a risk for large hail and damaging winds. The overall hodograph structure and resulting storm motion appears favorable for some very large hail over 2" in diameter as well. Read more