RSS Mesoscale Discussions from Storm Prediction Center
No watches are valid as of Tue Apr 14 09:02:02 UTC 2026.
No Mesoscale Discussions are in effect as of Tue Apr 14 09:02:02 UTC 2026.
SPC 1200Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1250 AM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026
Valid 141200Z - 151200Z
...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PORTIONS
OF THE MIDWEST...
...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE CENTRAL
TO SOUTHERN PLAINS AND PARTS OF THE NORTHEAST...
...SUMMARY...
Severe thunderstorms are expected this afternoon through tonight
from the southern Plains to the Great Lakes. Large to very large
hail, a few tornadoes (some strong), and damaging wind gusts will be
possible, particularly across parts of eastern Iowa, northern
Illinois, and southern Wisconsin. Additional severe storms, mainly
producing strong wind gusts, will be possible across parts of the
Northeast this afternoon.
...Synopsis...
An upper wave is evident in recent water-vapor imagery across the
southern Great Basin. This trough will translate east into the
Plains through today, reaching the Great Lakes region by tonight.
This will support slight deepening of a diffuse surface low analyzed
over the central High Plains as it drifts east towards the lower MO
River Valley. Ahead of the low, an expansive warm sector
(characterized by widespread mid to upper 60s dewpoints) remains in
place from the southern Plains northeastward into the upper MS
Valley region. Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected along a
composite outflow boundary/warm front from eastern IA into southern
WI/northern IL as well as along a dryline draped from eastern KS
into OK and TX. Further east, a mid-level wave associated with
ongoing convection over the Great Lakes will support
re-intensification/re-development of strong/severe storms across the
Northeast.
...Midwest...
An outflow boundary emanating from the ongoing MCS across the Great
Lakes will likely be draped across the Midwest early this morning.
This boundary is forecast to drift northward within a southerly flow
regime as an effective warm front ahead of the approaching surface
low and upper wave. Latest guidance generally depicts this boundary
stalling across eastern IA into southern WI by late afternoon when
daytime heating and ascent ahead of the upper wave will erode
inhibition and promote convective initiation along the boundary.
Dewpoints in the mid to upper 60s coupled with steep mid-level lapse
rates (already noted in upstream 00z RAOBs) will support MLCAPE
values near 2500 J/kg by late afternoon. Moderate buoyancy combined
with 45-55 knots of effective bulk shear will be highly favorable
for organized convection. Capping at the base of the EML should
initially limit thunderstorm coverage and favor discrete supercells
along the boundary. In addition to very large hail (possibly up to
2-3 inches in diameter), enhanced low-level SRH along the boundary
may support a corridor of locally higher tornado potential,
including the potential for significant tornadoes. With time,
easterly storm motions along the boundary will promote upscale
growth with an increasing wind threat heading into the late evening
hours.
The primary uncertainty will be the location of the boundary by late
afternoon. 30% hail and 10% tornado probabilities were adjusted to
reflect the most likely placement of the boundary based on a
consensus of guidance; however, exact placement of the boundary will
be conditional on the precise evolution of the morning MCS.
Similarly, how quickly upscale growth occurs after initiation may
modulate the duration of the significant hail/tornado threat.
...Kansas into Oklahoma and Texas...
Modest height falls across the central to southern Plains combined
with weak convergence along the dryline will likely support isolated
to perhaps scattered thunderstorms from eastern KS southward into TX
this afternoon. Consensus among latest HREF/REFS guidance is that
initiation is most probable across northwest TX into central OK -
possibly ahead of a subtle mid-level wave, though in reality the
unfocused nature of the broad-scale ascent suggests that initiation
will be possible anywhere along the dryline where low-level
convergence can be maximized. Regardless, ample buoyancy within the
warm sector (2500-3000 J/kg MLCAPE sampled in evening RAOBs) coupled
with 30-40 knots of effective bulk shear will support supercells
with an attendant threat for large hail (possibly exceeding 2 inches
in diameter). Some tornado threat will likely materialize around and
after 00 UTC as the nocturnal jet strengthens and enlarges low-level
hodographs.
...Northeast...
A low-amplitude upper wave associated with an ongoing MCS across the
Great Lakes will migrate eastward towards the Northeast through the
day. Residual convection associated with the MCS may linger through
morning before re-intensifying by early afternoon as daytime heating
supports steepening low-level lapse rates and increasing MLCAPE
values (likely up to the 500-1000 J/kg range). While buoyancy will
likely remain weak, 35-40 knot bulk shear through the CAPE-bearing
layer and focused ascent ahead of a low-amplitude upper wave will
likely support organization of convective bands with an attendant
threat for strong to severe winds.
..Moore/Wendt.. 04/14/2026
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SPC 0600Z Day 2 Outlook
Day 2 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1255 AM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026
Valid 151200Z - 161200Z
...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PORTIONS OF
THE SOUTHERN PLAINS TO THE MIDDLE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY AND ACROSS
EASTERN OHIO INTO PENNSYLVANIA...
...SUMMARY...
Severe thunderstorms posing a risk for large hail, strong wind
gusts, and a couple of tornadoes will be possible across portions of
the southern Plains toward the Great Lakes on Wednesday afternoon
and evening.
...Synopsis...
A shortwave upper trough will eject from the central Plains to the
Great Lakes on Wednesday. A swath of enhanced southwesterly
deep-layer flow will extend from the southern/central Plains to the
Great Lakes/Midwest ahead of this feature. The southern extent of
the upper trough will move more slowly east, from the southern
Rockies to the southern High Plains. At the surface, low pressure is
forecast to be in the vicinity of the Mid-MO Valley/southeast NE
Wednesday morning, and will shift east/northeast along a warm front
across IA/southern WI/northern IL through evening. A trailing cold
front will move across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes vicinity
during the nighttime hours as the surface low continue to progress
northeast into Ontario. Further south, a dryline will extend
south/southwest across eastern KS into western OK and west-central
TX. A seasonally moist and unstable airmass will be in place ahead
of these surface features, focusing severe thunderstorm potential
during the afternoon and evening. A warm moist and unstable airmass
will extend eastward across portions of the upper Ohio
Valley/Northeast.
...MO Valley to Lake Michigan vicinity...
Convection is likely to be ongoing across parts of the region
Wednesday morning. As a result, uncertainty exists regarding airmass
recovery and evolution of severe potential Wednesday
afternoon/evening. Persistent southwesterly flow and warm advection
ahead of the surface low will maintain a moist airmass. Convection
should redevelop by late afternoon/evening near the surface low and
along a surface boundary extending from eastern IA to near the IL/WI
border. Where heating can occur in the wake of early day convection,
MLCAPE around 1000-2000 J/kg should develop. Supercell wind profiles
are evident in forecast soundings, especially near the surface low
where SRH will be enhanced. Initial cells may pose a risk for hail.
Tornado potential is a bit more uncertain given aforementioned
concerns about boundary-layer impacts from early day convection.
However, at least low potential should exist near the surface low
and warm front/outflow. A corridor of higher tornado probabilities
may be needed in subsequent outlooks if confidence in mesoscale
details and boundary layer recovery increases. During the evening,
upscale growth into an eastward-advancing line is expected as a
surface cold front begins to move east across the region, and
damaging winds will be possible.
...Southern Plains...
Isolated supercells are forecast to develop along the dryline in OK
into eastern KS/ and eventually portions of MO. Mid to upper 60s F
dewpoints beneath steep midlevel lapse rates (7.5-8 C/km) will
support 2000-3000 J/kg MLCAPE by afternoon. Some weak capping is
noted around 850 mb, which may limit storm coverage in the absence
of stronger large-scale ascent. Nevertheless, elongated/straight
hodographs above 2-3 km within a favorable thermodynamic environment
suggests large to very large hail will be possible with storms that
develop. A couple of tornadoes also will be possible given modestly
enlarged and favorably curved low-level hodographs and around 150
m2/s2 SRH within a narrow corridor near the dryline.
...Upper Ohio Valley toward the Northeast...
Fast deep-layer west/southwesterly flow will overspread a moistening
low-level boundary layer. Strong heating will support steepening
low-level lapse rates and cool temperatures aloft will support
midlevel lapse rates near 7 C/km. This will foster moderate
destabilization during the afternoon, promoting isolated to widely
scattered thunderstorm development. Damaging wind gusts and isolated
hail will be possible with this activity into the evening.
..Leitman.. 04/14/2026
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SPC 0730Z Day 3 Outlook
Day 3 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0222 AM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026
Valid 161200Z - 171200Z
...THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE OHIO
VALLEY...
...SUMMARY...
Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible on Thursday
across portions of the Ohio Valley.
...Lower Ohio Valley/Midwest vicinity...
An upper shortwave trough will move from the MS Valley to the
Appalachians on Thursday. Moderate southwesterly deep-layer flow
will overspread the MO Bootheel toward Lake Erie ahead of this
feature. At the surface, a corridor of upper 50s to low 60s F
dewpoints will be in place ahead of a surface front. Some ongoing
convection and cloudiness early in the day will limit stronger
destabilization, but at least weak MLCAPE around 500-1000 J/kg is
forecast. While low-level flow will be weak, around 30-40 kt
west/southwesterly flow between 850-700 mb and 40+ kt effective
shear magnitudes will aid in some storm organization. A mix of
clusters and line segments will bring a risk of locally strong gusts
where stronger heating results in steepened low-level lapse rates.
...Southern Plains vicinity...
A conditionally favorable supercell environment will be in place
across the southern Plains on Thursday ahead of a dryline. A weak
shortwave impulse is forecast to move across the region early in the
day, departing by early afternoon. Height rises/shortwave ridging is
then forecast to build across the area. At this time, thunderstorm
development is not forecast as weak capping in the absence of
large-scale ascent should be maintained. However, trends will be
monitored given the otherwise very favorable thermodynamic and
kinematic environment. Otherwise, isolated elevated convection is
possible late in the period in a warm advection regime across north
TX into southern OK.
..Leitman.. 04/14/2026
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Day 4-8 Outlook
Day 4-8 Convective Outlook CORR 1
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0346 AM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026
Valid 171200Z - 221200Z
CORRECTED FOR DAY 5 GRAPHIC LABEL
...DISCUSSION...
...Day 4/Friday - Southern Plains to Upper Midwest...
A strong upper trough oriented from Montana to the Southwest will
eject eastward to the Plains on Friday/Friday night. Southwesterly
mid/upper flow will intensify ahead of this feature, with 40-60 kt
850-700 mb flow forecast by late afternoon into the nighttime hours.
A somewhat complex surface pattern is forecast, with a lee low
deepening over the central/southern High Plains to western OK, and a
second surface low near the Mid-Missouri Valley developing northeast
into Ontario. A surface dryline will extend from the High Plains low
to near the western OK/TX panhandle border into central TX by
midday. Meanwhile, a cold front will be oriented from eastern MN
into central KS at midday.
Ahead of these surface features, a broad warm sector characterized
by mid/upper 60s F dewpoints will be in place as temperatures warm
into the 80s F. A plume of steep midlevel lapse rates will
overspread the region, resulting in moderate to strong
destabilization. Forecast soundings indicated impressive wind
profiles supporting supercells. Initial supercell storms capable of
all hazards (including very large hail and strong tornadoes) are
expected. During the evening, convection may grow upscale into a
squall line as storms near the Mississippi River, with an
accompanying increase in damaging wind potential.
...Day 5/Saturday - Ohio Valley/Great Lakes vicinity...
A severe risk will likely continue into Saturday as the upper trough
continues to strengthen and shift east from the Plains to the Great
Lakes/Midwest. Strong deep-layer flow parallel to an
eastward-advancing cold front will overspread a moist and at least
weakly unstable downstream airmass through evening. This will favor
a line of convection with damaging wind potential.
...Days 6-8/Sunday-Tuesday...
The surface cold front will continue east on Sunday, moving offshore
the Atlantic and Gulf coasts during the afternoon. Severe potential
appears limited by weak instability and mainly anafrontal
precipitation across the Southeast to Eastern U.S. on Sunday.
Surface high pressure and a dearth of boundary layer moisture in the
wake of the cold front will preclude thunderstorm activity on
Monday. By the end of the period, medium range guidance depicts
another upper trough moving into the western U.S. and Gulf return
flow will advect moisture back into the southern Plains. However,
severe thunderstorm potential appears low at this time.
Read more
SPC Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0129 AM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026
Valid 141200Z - 151200Z
...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA FOR SOUTHEAST COLORADO AND ADJACENT
HIGH PLAINS...
...Synopsis...
An upper trough will approach the southern Plains today. At the
surface, a low will deepen in the central Plains. Dry return flow
will continue into the Mid-Atlantic.
...Southeast Colorado into central Plains...
A belt of stronger mid-level winds will overlap the region during
the afternoon. Coupled with the deepening surface low, winds of
20-25 mph appear possible with locally higher speeds in the
terrain-favored areas. RH 10-15% will occur in the High Plains with
greater potential for around 20% farther east. Winds may be equally
strong into Kansas, but the less favorable RH/cloud cover and recent
precipitation may modulate the overall fire weather risk.
...Southwest into southern High Plains...
Moderately strong mid-level winds will extend into the southern
Rockies. Cloud cover associated with the trough will tend to keep RH
higher in some locations, but around 20% east of the higher terrain
appears probable. Winds of 15-20 mph will promote an elevated fire
weather threat during the afternoon.
...Southern Appalachians into the Piedmont/Mid-Atlantic...
Dry return flow of 10-15 mph will occur during the afternoon. RH
will generally be 25-30% as temperatures rise into the mid/upper 80s
F. Very dry fuels in the region will support an elevated fire
weather threat.
..Wendt.. 04/14/2026
...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product...
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SPC Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0130 AM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026
Valid 151200Z - 161200Z
...Synopsis...
The upper-level trough will continue eastward into the
Mid-South/Mid-Mississippi Valley on Wednesday. Mid-level winds
across the southern and central High Plains will weaken through the
day. Only a modest lee trough is expected to develop during the
afternoon.
...Southern High Plains...
Mid-level winds will be waning through the day. Even so, a modest
lee trough will promote 15-20 mph winds within the region. RH could
be quite low. Some locations could reach as low as 10% with most
other areas reaching only 15-20%.
...Piedmont...
Temperatures may be slightly warmer than on Tuesday. Upper 80s to
near 90 appears possible. Dry air will remain in place. RH in the
lee of the terrain could fall to under 20% locally, though 20-25% is
more probable for most areas. Continued exceptional fuel dryness
will again support elevated fire weather during the afternoon.
...Southeast Wyoming...
Dry and breezy downslope winds are expected during the afternoon.
While meteorological conditions may support fire weather concerns,
there is potential for precipitation to occur on Tuesday which
lowers confidence in the overall risk.
..Wendt.. 04/14/2026
...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product...
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