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MOBILE DEVICE? Turn sideways. Weather conditions directly above are near Lakefront. Top tabs refer to O'Hare (official).

Archives for the SPC Convective Outlook are updated daily (approximately) with a live map at the beginning of each article. Follow the link at the end of the article to check for current updates on the NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center website. Also, see Archives for Chicago's hourly weather data on CARDINAL NEWS Magazine.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS WEATHER
O'Hare International Airport KORD (Arlington Heights South)
Chicago Executive Airport KPWK (Arlington Heights North)

Sunday, October 18, 2026

SPC Oct 18, 2026 1300 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

LIVE MAP (ABOVE) ... SPC 1300Z Day 1 Outlook


Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0730 AM CDT Sun Oct 18 2026

Valid 181300Z - 191200Z

...NO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST...

...SUMMARY...
Severe thunderstorms are not forecast through tonight.

...Synopsis and Discussion...
Even with east-northeasterly low-level flow persisting to the north
of a remnant cold front, diurnal heating of a moist airmass will
support sufficient instability for isolated to scattered
thunderstorms across parts of south FL and the Keys today.
Occasional lightning flashes may also occur with convection across
parts of the Southwest ahead of a low-amplitude mid-level shortwave
trough. Weak shear across south FL and limited moisture/instability
over AZ/NM will hinder the potential for severe thunderstorms across
both regions. Dry and/or stable conditions will preclude
thunderstorms for the remainder of the CONUS through the period.

..Gleason/Kerr.. 10/18/2026


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TVycCZ

SPC Oct 18, 2026 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

LIVE MAP (ABOVE) ... SPC 1200Z Day 1 Outlook


Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1251 AM CDT Sun Oct 18 2026

Valid 181200Z - 191200Z

...NO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST...

...SUMMARY...
Severe thunderstorms are not forecast in the U.S. today or tonight.

...DISCUSSION...
A mid-level anticyclonic flow pattern, and an associated surface
high pressure system will be in place today over the central and
eastern U.S. Dry and cool conditions will be in place over much of
the nation, and thunderstorms will be unlikely. The exceptions will
be over south Florida and in the Desert Southwest where scattered
thunderstorms will be possible from today into tonight. No severe
threat is expected across the continental U.S. through daybreak on
Monday.

..Broyles/Chalmers.. 10/18/2026


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TVySxM

Saturday, October 17, 2026

SPC Oct 18, 2026 0100 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

LIVE MAP (ABOVE) ... SPC 0100Z Day 1 Outlook


Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0754 PM CDT Sat Oct 17 2026

Valid 180100Z - 181200Z

...NO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST...

...SUMMARY...
Severe thunderstorms are not expected across the U.S. through
tonight.

...DISCUSSION...
At upper-levels, a trough and associated low will move eastward into
the western Atlantic tonight as a ridge dominates over the central
U.S. At the surface, dry and cool air associated with a large area
of high pressure will be in place over much of the nation. Moisture
and instability will be confined to south Florida, where isolated
thunderstorms will be possible this evening. Isolated storms may
also form over parts of southern Arizona this evening. No severe
threat is expected over the continental U.S. through daybreak on
Sunday.

..Broyles.. 10/18/2026


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TVyNFh

SPC Oct 17, 2026 1630 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

LIVE MAP (ABOVE) ... SPC 1630Z Day 1 Outlook


Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1114 AM CDT Sat Oct 17 2026

Valid 171630Z - 181200Z

...NO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST...

...SUMMARY...
Organized severe thunderstorms are not forecast through tonight.

...Synopsis...
Water-vapor imagery late this morning shows a positive-tilt upper
trough over the East and a closed low near the California/Baja
California border. An extensive area of tranquil conditions
influenced by surface high pressure will prevail across much of the
contiguous U.S. Widely scattered diurnal thunderstorms are possible
across the southern half of the FL Peninsula primarily through
sunset before much of the convective activity is relegated to the FL
Straits and offshore waters tonight. Weak thunderstorms are
possible tonight in association with the upper low over southern AZ.

..Smith/Supinie.. 10/17/2026


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TVyHQ8
SUNRISE AND SUNSET TIMES IN UTC (if you're not logged in to Google)
CHICAGO UTC-6 during CST (Central Standard Time, e.g., winter)
CHICAGO UTC-5 during CDT (Daylight Savings Time, e.g., summer)