WW 74 SEVERE TSTM IL IN KY 222215Z - 230500Z
URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 74
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
615 PM EDT Sun Mar 22 2026
The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
Southern Illinois
Central and Southern Indiana
Northern Kentucky
* Effective this Sunday night and Monday morning from 615 PM
until 100 AM EDT.
* Primary threats include...
Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2
inches in diameter possible
Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible
SUMMARY...Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop
this evening near/just north of a southeast-moving front, with
unseasonably steep lapse rates and strong deep-layer winds being
supportive of severe storms capable of large hail and damaging
winds.
The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 60
statute miles north and south of a line from 20 miles west of Mount
Vernon IL to 55 miles south of Muncie IN. For a complete depiction
of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
WOU4).
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
REMEMBER...A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes.
&&
OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 72...WW 73...
AVIATION...A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A
few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
30025.
...Guyer
WW 73 SEVERE TSTM IN KY OH 222140Z - 230400Z
URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 73
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
540 PM EDT Sun Mar 22 2026
The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
Southeast Indiana
Far Northern Kentucky
Ohio
* Effective this Sunday afternoon from 540 PM until Midnight EDT.
* Primary threats include...
Scattered large hail likely with isolated very large hail events
to 2 inches in diameter possible
Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible
A tornado or two possible
SUMMARY...Scattered strong to severe storms will likely continue to
develop near the front, with additional development expected farther
north this evening along/north of the front, with large hail and
damaging winds possible.
The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 60
statute miles north and south of a line from 50 miles west southwest
of Dayton OH to 15 miles east northeast of Zanesville OH. For a
complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline
update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU3).
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
REMEMBER...A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes.
&&
OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 72...
AVIATION...A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A
few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
28025.
...Guyer
WW 72 SEVERE TSTM MD OH PA WV 221940Z - 230200Z
URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 72
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
340 PM EDT Sun Mar 22 2026
The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
Western Maryland
Far Eastern Ohio
Western and Central Pennsylvania
Northern West Virginia
* Effective this Sunday afternoon and evening from 340 PM until
1000 PM EDT.
* Primary threats include...
Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2
inches in diameter likely
Scattered damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts
to 75 mph possible
A tornado or two possible
SUMMARY...Thunderstorm coverage is expected to increase this
afternoon in the vicinity of a cold front moving southeastward
across the area. Environmental conditions favor initially discrete
storms, with some supercells possible. Large to isolated very large
hail is the primary risk with any supercells. A trend towards a more
linear mode is anticipated with time, with the primary hazard
transitioning to strong gusts. A tornado or two is also possible,
but limited low-level moisture and high LCLs should keep the overall
tornado probability low.
The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 60
statute miles north and south of a line from 40 miles west of
Wheeling WV to 35 miles east northeast of Harrisburg PA. For a
complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline
update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU2).
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
REMEMBER...A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes.
&&
AVIATION...A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 65 knots. A
few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
28035.
...Mosier
WW 0074 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 74
SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES RIGHT OF A LINE FROM 30 ESE MDH
TO 25 WSW MVN.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SEE MESOSCALE DISCUSSION 0287.
..GRAMS..03/23/26
ATTN...WFO...ILX...PAH...IND...LMK...
STATUS REPORT FOR WS 74
SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS
ILC023-025-029-033-035-045-047-049-055-059-065-079-081-101-159-
165-185-191-193-230140-
IL
. ILLINOIS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE
CLARK CLAY COLES
CRAWFORD CUMBERLAND EDGAR
EDWARDS EFFINGHAM FRANKLIN
GALLATIN HAMILTON JASPER
JEFFERSON LAWRENCE RICHLAND
SALINE WABASH WAYNE
WHITE
INC005-011-013-019-021-025-027-031-035-037-043-051-055-057-059-
061-063-065-071-077-079-081-083-093-095-097-101-105-107-109-117-
119-121-123-125-129-133-135-139-143-145-147-153-159-163-165-167-
173-175-230140-
IN
. INDIANA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE
WW 0073 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 73
THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES ACROSS THE ENTIRE WATCH AREA.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SEE MESOSCALE DISCUSSION 0287.
..GRAMS..03/23/26
ATTN...WFO...ILN...CLE...RLX...
STATUS REPORT FOR WS 73
SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS
INC029-041-047-115-137-155-161-177-230140-
IN
. INDIANA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE
DEARBORN FAYETTE FRANKLIN
OHIO RIPLEY SWITZERLAND
UNION WAYNE
KYC015-037-117-230140-
KY
. KENTUCKY COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE
BOONE CAMPBELL KENTON
OHC001-005-009-011-015-017-021-023-025-027-033-037-041-045-047-
049-057-061-063-065-071-073-075-079-083-089-091-097-099-101-103-
105-107-109-113-115-117-127-129-131-133-135-139-141-145-149-151-
153-159-163-165-167-169-175-230140-
OH
WW 0072 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 72
THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES ACROSS THE ENTIRE WATCH AREA.
..WENDT..03/23/26
ATTN...WFO...LWX...PBZ...CTP...
STATUS REPORT FOR WS 72
SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS
MDC001-023-043-230140-
MD
. MARYLAND COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE
ALLEGANY GARRETT WASHINGTON
OHC013-019-031-059-067-081-111-119-121-157-230140-
OH
. OHIO COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE
BELMONT CARROLL COSHOCTON
GUERNSEY HARRISON JEFFERSON
MONROE MUSKINGUM NOBLE
TUSCARAWAS
PAC003-005-007-009-013-019-021-027-033-035-041-043-051-055-057-
059-061-063-067-087-093-097-099-109-111-119-125-129-230140-
PA
. PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE
ALLEGHENY ARMSTRONG BEAVER
MD 0288 CONCERNING SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 72... FOR UPPER OHIO VALLEY VICINITY
Mesoscale Discussion 0288
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0807 PM CDT Sun Mar 22 2026
Areas affected...Upper Ohio Valley Vicinity
Concerning...Severe Thunderstorm Watch 72...
Valid 230107Z - 230230Z
The severe weather threat for Severe Thunderstorm Watch 72
continues.
SUMMARY...Large hail will remain possible with storms as they move
eastward trough eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. The
environment farther east will become less supportive of severe
convection, however.
DISCUSSION...Lift from a low-amplitude trough in the Midwest
continues to promote elevated convection, behind a cold front, in
the upper Ohio Valley. A few stronger cores have noted in central
into eastern Ohio. Occasional large hail will be possible with these
storms given the steep mid-level lapse rates observed on this
evening's ILN sounding and around 55 kts of 0-6 km shear on area VAD
data. That said, the observed sounding at PIT showed a modest 6 C/km
mid-level lapse rate. Convection may be able to maintain some
intensity into western Pennsylvania, but will gradually weaken with
eastward extent. This trend has been observed over the past few
hours with prior convective activity.
..Wendt.. 03/23/2026
...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product...
ATTN...WFO...CTP...PBZ...RLX...CLE...ILN...
LAT...LON 39458125 39468192 39498217 39798215 40698224 41068213
41178121 41247983 41107935 40827925 40117928 39717949
39438033 39458125
MOST PROBABLE PEAK WIND GUST...UP TO 60 MPH
MOST PROBABLE PEAK HAIL SIZE...1.00-1.75 IN
MD 0287 CONCERNING SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 73...74... FOR CENTRAL/SOUTHERN PARTS OF IL/IN/OH
Mesoscale Discussion 0287
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0720 PM CDT Sun Mar 22 2026
Areas affected...central/southern parts of IL/IN/OH
Concerning...Severe Thunderstorm Watch 73...74...
Valid 230020Z - 230145Z
The severe weather threat for Severe Thunderstorm Watch 73, 74
continues.
SUMMARY...Severe hail should be the primary hazard with elevated
thunderstorms spreading east-southeast into late evening in a
portion of the Midwest.
DISCUSSION...Convective development has largely been sustained about
80 miles north of a southeastward-moving cold front approaching the
OH River. This arc of elevated storms was rooted near 750 mb per
ACARS data near IND and appears likely to be the primary focus for
severe potential through late evening. The cores across central IN
to central OH have had generally marginal severe hail MRMS
signatures with several semi-discrete structures. Ample speed shear
through the cloud-bearing layer will offer potential for updrafts
capable of sporadic severe hail up to around golf-ball size,
including left and right splits.
Farther south on the front, attempts at surface-based storms appear
to have largely failed within persistent MLCIN and weak large-scale
ascent outside of the undercutting boundary. With nocturnal
boundary-layer cooling ahead of the front, it seems unlikely that
additional development will occur. Current elevated storms across
south-central IL will probably be the back edge of sustained severe
potential as they shift east-southeastward.
..Grams.. 03/23/2026
...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product...
ATTN...WFO...RLX...CLE...ILN...LMK...IWX...IND...PAH...ILX...
LAT...LON 40968294 40868231 39998225 39558231 39128300 38938542
38278775 38228833 38478867 39568852 40428684 40968294
MOST PROBABLE PEAK WIND GUST...UP TO 60 MPH
MOST PROBABLE PEAK HAIL SIZE...1.50-2.50 IN
SPC 0100Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0752 PM CDT Sun Mar 22 2026
Valid 230100Z - 231200Z
...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PORTIONS OF
THE OHIO VALLEY INTO THE NORTHERN MID ATLANTIC...
...SUMMARY...
Scattered severe thunderstorms should continue this evening across
parts of the Ohio Valley into the Mid-Atlantic. Large to very large
hail should be the main threat, although an isolated strong wind
gust remains possible.
... 01Z Update ...
Showers and thunderstorms continue across the Ohio Valley into the
northern Mid-Atlantic. These storms are being aided by increasing
large-scale ascent associated with a gradually amplifying midlevel
trough and vertical circulations associated with a
south-southeastward moving cold front. The anafrontal nature of the
cold front is supporting thunderstorm development/intensification on
the cold side of the boundary, where surface temperatures quickly
fall into the 40Fs.
Most unstable CAPE between 500-1500 J/kg, steep midlevel lapse rates
ranging from 6 C/km across Pennsylvania to 8.5 C/km across southern
Indiana, and strong cloud-layer shear will support a continued hail
threat into the evening hours. The overall wind potential has
diminished across most of the area as low-levels stabilize. However,
given increasing storm coverage an isolated strong-to-severe wind
report may still be possible. The most likely area for this is
across far southeast Illinois into southwest Indiana where better
midlevel lapse rates and greatest storm coverage coincide.
For additional information please see Mesoscale Discussion #287.
..Marsh.. 03/23/2026
SPC Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0340 PM CDT Sun Mar 22 2026
Valid 241200Z - 301200Z
An upper level ridge continues to build back across the western US
on Day 3/Tuesday. Although less intense and shorter in duration than
the recent heatwave, this will once again likely break daily high
temperature records over much of the southern two-thirds of the
western US. On Day 4/Wednesday, a potent upper-level trough
approaches the Pacific Northwest and will significantly dampen the
amplitude of the ridge as it moves across the northern CONUS border
on Day 5/Thursday. The jet max will exit the Eastern Seaboard on Day
6/Friday. While some differences exist among various forecast
guidance, the western US upper-level ridge will likely build back by
next weekend. Forecast guidance suggests that this ridge will be
nudged eastward by a robust trough moving across the northern
Pacific, but the timing and speed of this movement is uncertain at
this point.
On Day 4/Wednesday, as the ridge over the western US breaks down,
warm surface temperatures will support a robust boundary layer,
mixing strong westerly winds associated with the passing upper-level
jet to the surface. Forecast guidance indicates sustained west winds
of 20-30 mph will combine with RHs of 10-20% at the surface for
several hours during the afternoon. This warrants a 70% area for
much of east-central Wyoming while 40% probabilities cover portions
of northern Colorado, extreme northeast Utah, extreme southwest
South Dakota, and much of the Nebraska Panhandle where surface winds
will be slightly weaker.
On Day 5/Thursday, a cold front, supported by the aforementioned
passing upper-level trough, is expected to surge south across the
central and southern Plains. The 40% probability area was expanded
slightly east due to forecast guidance advecting drier conditions
farther across the southern Plains. While uncertainty in the timing
and evolution of this front will likely necessitate adjustments to
the risk area over the coming days, the southern High Plains
currently stands the best chance to experience critical fire weather
conditions with the frontal passage.
On Day 7/Saturday, northerly winds behind the cold front passing
through the Southeast CONUS late on Day 6/Friday could produce
downslope flow, contributing to lower RHs and gusty surface winds
once again. However, precipitation between now and then is likely
across portions of the area. Where rainfall may accumulate will
likely dictate the extent of any fire weather concerns over this
region. No areas have been introduced, but this region will be
watched over the coming days.
..Stearns.. 03/22/2026
...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product...
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