SPC Sep 8, 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
0731 AM CDT Tue Sep 08 2026

Valid 081300Z - 091200Z

...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER PORTIONS OF
CENTRAL IOWA AND FAR EASTERN NEBRASKA...

...SUMMARY...
Widely scattered severe storms capable of mainly severe wind gusts
appear possible across portions of Iowa and eastern Nebraska Tuesday
afternoon and evening. More sporadic occurrences of severe winds and
large hail may occur from portions of the upper Midwest into the
central Plains.

...Central Plains into the upper Midwest...
An extensive low-level jet is currently in place from the southern
High Plains through the Upper Midwest. Warm-air advection associated
with this feature is contributing to showers and thunderstorms from
eastern NE through WI and into western Upper MI. This activity is
forecast to gradually shift northeastward this morning while the
embedded storms also gradually diminish in strength. These showers
and thunderstorms, and associated warm low to mid-level
temperatures, are expected to limit destabilization across much of
WI and Upper MI.

Some moderate buoyancy is possible by the early afternoon across MN,
just ahead of a cold front pushing eastward into the region.
Lingering convective inhibition will likely limit convective
initiation, and considerable uncertainty exists regarding
thunderstorm coverage. This uncertainty precludes introducing any
severe probabilities, but the combination of moderate buoyancy and
strong deep-layer shear over the region would support some severe
potential with any updrafts that persist and mature.

Farther south and west (i.e. from IA through eastern/southern NE
into northern KS), stronger daytime heating will contribute to a
well-mixed boundary layer, characterized by steep low-level lapse
rates and dewpoints in the 60s to low/mid 70s F. This air mass is
expected to become moderately to strongly unstable by late afternoon
with MLCAPE of 2000-3000 J/kg. Thunderstorm development is expected
as the southeastward-progressing cold front interacts with this
destabilized and buoyant airmass. The stronger vertical shear will
be displaced north/northeast of the greater buoyancy, but 30 to 35
kt of effective bulk shear is still sufficient for some storm
organization. A largely parallel shear-vector orientation with the
front suggests that initial storms should grow upscale quickly into
line segments or broken bands, with some tendency for undercutting
as well. Even so, a few damaging wind gusts will be possible from
mid afternoon through evening. The low-level jet will increase again
from western KS through central IA this evening resulting in a
corridor of stronger low-level shear. This low-level shear will
support a low-probability tornado risk, but a more robust threat is
expected to be limited by largely outflow-dominant and/or elevated
storms.

...CO Plains into western KS...
Thunderstorm development appears likely across the higher terrain of
central CO as the mid-level flow veers more westerly during the late
afternoon. Moist post-frontal northerly low-level flow is expected
across the CO Plains and western KS this evening, which could result
in enough buoyancy to maintain modest intensity as the central CO
storms progress eastward. High-based storm character and prevailing
steep low-level lapse rates may result in a few stronger gusts as
this cluster moves eastward into western KS.

..Mosier/Lyons.. 09/08/2026


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SPC Sep 8, 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
1238 AM CDT Tue Sep 08 2026

Valid 081200Z - 091200Z

...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER PORTIONS OF
IOWA AND EASTERN NEBRASKA...

...SUMMARY...
Widely scattered severe storms capable of mainly severe wind gusts
appear possible across portions of Iowa and eastern Nebraska Tuesday
afternoon and evening. More sporadic occurrences of severe winds and
large hail may occur from portions of the upper Midwest into the
central Plains.

...Synopsis...

An intense upper low moving into southern SK late this evening will
continue northeast through central MB into northern ON ahead of a
secondary short-wave trough tracking from the northern Rockies into
the northern Plains. A belt of enhanced mid/upper-level winds will
be maintained between those features from the northern High Plains
into the upper Great Lakes. At the surface, a cold front will
advance through the eastern Dakotas and upper MS Valley with the
trailing extension of the boundary moving more slowly southeast
through the mid-MO Valley and central High Plains.

...Central Plains into the upper Midwest...

Clusters of thunderstorms are likely to be ongoing at 12Z Tuesday
from portions of the mid-MO Valley into the upper Midwest within a
zone of warm advection and moisture transport along a nocturnal
low-level jet (LLJ). Showers and storms may linger through the
morning across parts of WI and the U.P. of MI, limiting the degree
of air mass destabilization and associated severe weather risk
during the afternoon. Farther to the southwest from IA through
eastern and southern NE into northern KS, stronger daytime heating
on the southern fringe of lingering mid/high-level cloudiness will
contribute to a well-mixed boundary layer, featuring steep low-level
lapse rates. When combined with boundary-layer dewpoints in the 60s
to low/mid 70s F, the air mass is expected to become moderately to
strongly unstable by late afternoon with MLCAPE of 2000-3000 J/kg.

In the absence of appreciable height falls/large-scale forcing for
ascent, convergence along the front and any preceding confluence
zones/outflow boundaries is expected to foster a gradual increase in
storm coverage and intensity by mid to late afternoon amidst the
destabilizing air mass. The strongest deep-layer shear is expected
to be displaced to the north of the effective warm sector with
around 30-35 kt forecast along the frontal zone. A largely parallel
shear-vector orientation with the front suggests that initial storms
should grow upscale into line segments or a broken band with an
associated risk for severe wind gusts from mid afternoon through
evening. Isolated occurrences of marginally severe hail are
possible; however, poor mid-level lapse are expected to limit the
overall threat. The 00Z models do indicate some LLJ enhancement over
central IA by late afternoon into evening, resulting in a corridor
of stronger low-level shear. While a brief tornado or two are
possible, a more robust threat is expected to be limited by largely
outflow-dominant storms.

..Mead/Chalmers.. 09/08/2026


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SPC Sep 8, 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
0758 PM CDT Mon Sep 07 2026

Valid 080100Z - 081200Z

...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER CENTRAL NORTH
DAKOTA AND SOUTHEAST SOUTH DAKOTA...

...SUMMARY...
The threat for widely scattered severe storms capable of large hail
and perhaps a tornado or two will continue over central North Dakota
and southeast South Dakota into tonight. More isolated occurrences
of large hail and severe wind gusts remain possible this evening
over the central High Plains.

...Northern Plains...

Two separate severe thunderstorm regimes have evolved late this
afternoon into evening. The first is over northwest into central ND,
where widely scattered storms --including a supercell-- are ongoing
ahead of a cold front pushing through western ND. The 00Z BIS
sounding showed modestly steep low-level lapse rates and a moist
boundary layer with MLCAPE CAPE of around 3000 J/kg. The
corresponding wind profile was quite supportive of updraft rotation
with effective SRH of around 300 m2/s2 and 60 kt of effective bulk
shear, suggesting the supercell north of BIS will remain capable of
large hail and a tornado or two for the next hour or two.
Thereafter, increasing convective inhibition may result in the
gradual weakening of the storms with a decreasing severe weather
threat.

For additional near-term guidance on that regime, see recently
issued MCD #2268.

The second thunderstorm regime is evolving across portions of
northeast NE into southeast SD, near the intersection of a
differential heating zone/outflow boundary and a pre-frontal trough.
The boundary layer to the north of the baroclinic zone over
southeast SD is slightly cooler with some convective inhibition
noted in latest objective analysis fields. However, the presence of
MLCAPE up to 2000-3000 J/kg, which coincides with 35-40 kt of
deep-layer shear is supportive of supercells with the primary hazard
being large hail, potentially in excess of two inches. The nocturnal
strengthening of the low-level jet is resulting in enlarging
low-level hodographs with effective SRH of 300-400+ m2/s2, per
objective analysis. A tornado recently occurred with the ongoing
storms near the NE-SD border with an additional tornado or two
remaining possible this evening before convective inhibition
increases further.

..Mead.. 09/08/2026


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SPC Sep 7, 2026 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

LIVE MAP (ABOVE) ... SPC 2000Z Day 1 Outlook


Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0259 PM CDT Mon Sep 07 2026

Valid 072000Z - 081200Z

...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF
CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA AND SOUTHEAST SOUTH DAKOTA...

...SUMMARY...
Widely scattered severe storms capable of mainly large hail are
expected over portions of North Dakota as well as southeast South
Dakota into northeast Nebraska this afternoon into evening. Isolated
damaging wind potential will exist over the northern and central
Plains into the upper Mississippi Valley. Locally damaging wind
gusts remain possible this afternoon over the central Gulf Coast
states.

...20Z Update...
The MRGL Risk/5-percent wind area was expanded slightly
west-southwestward in parts of eastern MT. Here, a small
north/south-oriented line segment is tracking eastward into an
increasingly warm PBL. This activity will continue to pose a risk of
a few severe wind gusts this afternoon. See MCD #2264 for more
details. Elsewhere, very minimal changes were made with this update.

..Weinman.. 09/07/2026

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1112 AM CDT Mon Sep 07 2026/

...ND...
A fast-moving shortwave trough currently over WY/MT will track
northeastward into the Dakotas this afternoon. Strong
heating/mixing in southwest ND will lead to a sharpening dryline
across central ND by mid/late afternoon. This will be the likely
focus for thunderstorm development after 22z. Forecast soundings in
the warm-sector east of the dryline suggest sufficient low-level and
deep-layer shear for supercell storm-modes. Large hail and perhaps a
tornado or two are possible in the most intense storms. This
activity will spread eastward into northeast ND this evening before
weakening.

...CO/KS/NE/SD...
A weak surface boundary is present today from northeast CO into
central NE. Scattered afternoon thunderstorms will form over the
mountains of central CO, with development spreading eastward along
the boundary through the afternoon. Strong heating and a deeply
mixed boundary-layer will promote intense downdrafts in the
strongest cores. By early evening, activity may spread into
southeast SD where greater low-level moisture and CAPE will pose a
risk of a few more intense storms capable of hail or even a tornado.
Recent model solutions have been backing off on this SD scenario,
but will maintain the ongoing SLGT for now.

...LA/MS/AL...
Hot and humid conditions will prevail over the central Gulf coast
region today, with full sunshine and dewpoints in the low-mid 70s.
Steering flow is weak, but high CAPE and ample moisture suggest a
risk of occasional intense downdrafts in the strongest storms.


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