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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)

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

SPC Jan 29, 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
0647 PM CST Wed Jan 28 2026

Valid 290100Z - 291200Z

...NO THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST...

...SUMMARY...
Thunderstorms are not forecast through tonight.

...Discussion...
The prevalence of cold/continental trajectories, especially east of
the Rockies, will preclude thunderstorm development through tonight.

..Guyer.. 01/29/2026


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TQd3wS

SPC Jan 28, 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
0636 AM CST Wed Jan 28 2026

Valid 281300Z - 291200Z

...NO THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST...

...SUMMARY...
Thunderstorms are not forecast for today.

...Synopsis...
Early-morning satellite imagery shows a pair of shortwave troughs
within in the cyclonic flow covering the central and eastern CONUS.
The southernmost shortwave is currently progressing southeastward
into the Lower MS Valley, with this southeastward motion expected to
persist throughout the day. This evolution takes the wave across the
north-central and eastern Gulf this afternoon/evening, and across FL
by early tomorrow morning. The northern shortwave is moving
southeastward over the Upper Great Lakes, and continued
southeastward progress will take this wave through the middle/upper
OH Valley and off the northern Mid-Atlantic coast tonight. Dry and
stable conditions associated with an arctic airmass will be in place
ahead of these shortwaves, limiting low-level moisture and
precluding thunderstorm development.

Another shortwave trough is currently moving eastward across the
interior Pacific Northwest and northern Great Basin. This
eastward/southeastward progression should continue, taking the wave
through the northern/central Rockies and into the central Plains
while also dampening the shortwave ridging proceeding it.
Precipitation will be possible in association with this shortwave
during the day and across the central and northern Rockies. However,
little to no instability is forecast, and thunderstorms appear
unlikely.

..Mosier/Broyles.. 01/28/2026


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TQcnBK

SPC Jan 28, 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
1128 PM CST Tue Jan 27 2026

Valid 281200Z - 291200Z

...NO THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST...

...SUMMARY...
Thunderstorms are not forecast for today.

...Synopsis...
A relatively stable pattern will exist across the CONUS today, with
high pressure affecting most areas. A deep upper low will remain
over Ontario, with broad cyclonic flow aloft encompassing most of
eastern Canada and the USA. With high pressure over land, offshore
flow will keep appreciable low-level moisture well offshore from
Cuba toward the Turks and Caicos.

Precipitation will be possible in association with a shortwave
trough moving across the Great Basin during the day and across the
central and northern Rockies. However, little to no instability is
forecast, and as such thunderstorms appear unlikely.

..Jewell.. 01/28/2026


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TQc55v

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

SPC Jan 28, 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
0630 PM CST Tue Jan 27 2026

Valid 280100Z - 281200Z

...NO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST...

...SUMMARY...
Isolated thunderstorms may occur through tonight across parts of
northern California and coastal southwest Oregon. Severe
thunderstorms are not forecast.

...Discussion...
An upper trough will quickly move across northern CA and parts of
the Pacific Northwest through tonight, with a weakening trend.
Despite this, increasing lift, cooling aloft and a midlevel moist
plume may support weak SBCAPE near the coast and elevated
instability inland. The weak instability and minimal wind speeds
below 700 mb should preclude any severe risk.

Elsewhere, cool and stable conditions will prevail with an expansive
upper trough east of the Rockies and high pressure.

..Jewell.. 01/28/2026


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TQbvXT
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)