SPC AC 041933
Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0233 PM CDT Mon May 04 2026
Valid 042000Z - 051200Z
...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PORTIONS OF
THE MIDWEST INTO THE OHIO VALLEY...
...SUMMARY...
Scattered severe thunderstorms capable of large hail and damaging
wind gusts are possible across portions of the Midwest this
afternoon into tonight. A conditional threat for severe storms with
large to very large hail extends into portions of the
central/southern Plains.
...20Z Update...
The previous forecast remains largely on track. Only minor changes
were made to the thunder and severe probabilities to reflect the
latest trends in observations and high resolution model guidance.
..Squitieri.. 05/04/2026
.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1130 AM CDT Mon May 04 2026/
...IL into the southern Great Lakes...
A mid-level vorticity maximum over the lower MO Valley is forecast
to move east across IL through the late afternoon and into IN-OH
tonight. An associated speed maximum at 700 mb will intensify and
overspread IL (40-50 kt) east into the southern Great Lakes while a
pronounced strengthening of 850-mb flow (50 kt) occurs during the
21-03z period. Cold mid-level temperatures (-18 deg C at 500 mb)
will act to offset initially meager moisture. Model guidance varies
considerably regarding moisture quality with ample spread amongst
different model cores/PBL schemes. However, it seems a narrow
corridor of lower to mid 50s surface dewpoints will extend
east-northeast from the lower MO Valley into the southern Great
Lakes by mid to late afternoon. Forecast soundings show weak to
moderate buoyancy (500-1250 J/kg MLCAPE). Morning model guidance
shows widely scattered to scattered storms developing within the
warm conveyor during peak heating as convective inhibition erodes.
Have expanded the Slight Risk farther east into this region to
account for a hail/wind risk with the stronger storms. Uncertainty
remains regarding quality of boundary-layer moisture across the
northern third of IN into northwest OH where hodographs become
enlarged later this afternoon into the early evening. Will
re-evaluate the tornado risk for the 20 UTC outlook if in fact
moisture quality seems sufficient for a focused, short-duration
tornado risk across the aforementioned corridor.
...Eastern KS into the Mid MS Valley...
Thunderstorm development is anticipated during the afternoon along a
cold forecast to extend through southern WI and
eastern/southern IA. Thunderstorms along the front will initially be
displaced north of the better shear and buoyancy, so somewhat
transient updraft structures and/or frontal undercutting will likely
limit storm severity. Even so, high cloud bases and a deeply mixed
boundary layer could result in a few strong gusts. Later in the
evening, more storm development appears likely on the front as it
moves into eastern KS and northern/central MO. Here, stronger shear
and buoyancy should support more robust updrafts and a relatively
higher probability for severe storms. Large to very large hail is
the primary risk.
...Central Kansas into Oklahoma and northern Texas...
A dryline will extend from central KS south-southwestward into
northwest TX by mid afternoon as a surface low evolves near the TX
Panhandle/OK/KS border region. Strong diurnal heating will likely
erode most convective inhibition by the early evening, while steep
lapse rates contribute to moderate buoyancy along the dryline.
Isolated thunderstorms are possible on the dryline from central KS
into northwest TX during the 22-02 UTC period. Veering and
strengthening flow with height beneath 100-kt westerly 200-mb flow
will support supercells. Isolated large to very large hail will be
the primary risk with the stronger storms, although severe gusts are
also possible.
NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 1 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 0100Z
SPC AC 041741
Day 2 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1241 PM CDT Mon May 04 2026
Valid 051200Z - 061200Z
...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CENTERED OVER
ARKANSAS AND EXTENDING FROM NORTHEAST TEXAS INTO WESTERN
TENNESSEE...
...SUMMARY...
Scattered strong to severe storms are possible Tuesday afternoon and
evening from northeast Texas into western Tennessee, with the main
threat centered over Arkansas. Some storms may produce large hail,
damaging gusts or a couple tornadoes. Additional strong storms are
possible across parts of the Northeast.
...Synopsis...
A weakening upper low will move from Ontario into Quebec with a
leading speed max moving quickly out of the Great Lakes region.
Behind this system, high pressure will move southward into the
northern Rockies and Plains. The associated cold front will move
across the lower Great Lakes during the day, extending southwestward
across the Ozarks and into eastern OK where a surface low is
forecast.
Meanwhile, a positive-tilt upper trough will exist over the
southwestern states, with moderate to strong west/southwest flow
aloft expanding across the southern Plains to the Lower MS Valley.
Minimal height rises are forecast across this region, with the warm
advection regime aiding northward transport of low-level moisture
toward the Ozarks.
...Northeast TX into western TN...
A low pressure trough is forecast to develop generally from northern
TX into eastern OK and western AR during the afternoon, with the
main synoptic boundary slowing over northern AR. Models indicate
early day storms are likely over southeast MO, northeast AR and into
western KY and TN, dissipating by midday. This activity may
reinforce the effective frontal position into AR, where air mass
recovery will occur.
By late afternoon, scattered supercells are expected to form near
the surface trough from AR into northeast TX. Given robust moisture
with upper 60s F dewpoints, 60+ kt deep layer shear and effective
SRH maximized over AR, tornadoes will also be possible. The
combination of a capping inversion over much of the area, forced
cells timed with peak heating, and a potential downstream
outflow/enhanced zone of SRH, a strong tornado is conditionally
possible.
...NY into ME...
Strong heating ahead of the cold front and a plume of 50s F
dewpoints will lead to 500-1000 J/kg MUCAPE during the day, beneath
midlevel southwesterlies over 50 kt. Storms are forecast to develop
after 18Z from western into northern NY, with storms moving rapidly
northeastward across VT/NH and into ME. Forecast soundings indicate
40-50 kt deep-layer mean winds, which in combination with a mixed
boundary layer should support cells as well as bowing structures
capable of damaging gusts. The strongest cells may contain hail as
well. A brief tornado cannot be ruled out given 150-200+ m2/s2
effective SRH depicted across northern areas, though veering
low-level flow and/or deepening mixed layers may mitigate that
potential somewhat.
..Jewell.. 05/04/2026
WUUS02 PTSDY2
NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 2 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 0600Z
SPC AC 041912
Day 3 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0212 PM CDT Mon May 04 2026
Valid 061200Z - 071200Z
...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM EASTERN TEXAS
INTO ALABAMA...
...SUMMARY...
Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are expected Wednesday
afternoon and evening across portions of Texas into the lower
Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys. Damaging winds, large hail, and a
couple of tornadoes will be possible.
...Synopsis...
A large positive-tilt upper trough will extend from upper Great
Lakes into the Southwest, with a broad zone of strong mid to high
levels southwesterlies extending from the southern Plains across the
lower to middle MS and TN Valleys. Gradual cooling aloft will occur
through the period as this upper trough proceeds gradually east. At
the surface, a cold front will extend from the upper OH Valley into
central TX during the day, and this front will surge south overnight
into the southeastern states and southern TX.
...Eastern TX into the TN Valley...
A very moist air mass will exist ahead of the cold front, with 70s F
dewpoints from TX into AL. Early day storms are likely in the warm
advection regime over parts of KY and TN, aided by southwest 850 mb
winds around 40 kt. This may temporarily stabilize these northern
areas before destabilization occurs later in the day. The strongest
heating will occur from TX into MS/AL, with MUCAPE up to 3000 J/kg.
The greatest risk area will extend from the Sabine River into MS and
northern AL late in the day, perhaps near 00Z, and into the early
evening, as storms finally break the capping inversion after a full
days heating. Deep-layer shear will be oriented mostly parallel to
the front, and low-level winds will be a bit veered with marginal
SRH values. Still, supercells may develop owing to strong effective
shear, with steep lapse rates aloft supporting hail. Damaging winds
may become an issue as storms possibly merge with bowing structures.
For northern areas from TN into KY, the risk will depend on air mass
recovery in the wake of any early day activity. Conditionally,
low-level shear may be stronger in this region, with an isolated
tornado or hail risk.
..Jewell.. 05/04/2026
WUUS03 PTSDY3
NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 3 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 0730Z
|
