Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1134 AM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026
Valid 161630Z - 171200Z
...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF
WESTERN MONTANA AND NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND...
...SUMMARY...
Severe thunderstorms capable of producing large hail and gusty winds
will be possible across parts of the northern Rockies this afternoon
and evening. Isolated to scattered damaging winds may also occur
over portions of northern New England, the Upper Midwest, and
Mid-Atlantic. A brief tornado could occur across a small part of
south-central/southwest Texas later today or tonight.
...Northern Rockies...
A closed upper low will move slowly northward along the coastal
Pacific Northwest through tonight. Upper ridging will persist across
much of the Rockies to the Plains. Between these features, a belt of
modestly enhanced south/southwesterly deep-layer flow will
overspread the northern Rockies. Modest easterly low-level winds
will transport generally 50s to low 60s F surface dewpoints across
this region beneath steep mid-level lapse rates. As daytime heating
occurs, moderate instability should develop. Scattered thunderstorms
are forecast to initially form over the higher terrain during the
afternoon. Veering wind profiles with height through mid/upper
levels and gradually strengthening flow aloft will support around
30-40 kt of effective bulk shear. Organized cells will pose a risk
for gusty winds and severe hail across much of the region. The
greatest risk for 1+ inch hail appears to be across parts of western
Montana.
...Northern New England...
A vigorous mid-level shortwave trough will move quickly
southeastward from southern Ontario/Quebec across New England today
with strong west/northwest deep-layer flow. Boundary layer moisture
will be somewhat limited compared to prior days, with surface
dewpoints generally in the 50s F. Still, somewhat greater daytime
heating is expected to the north of the more prominent smoke plume
across southern New England, which should help steepening low-level
lapse rates by late morning/early afternoon. While MLCAPE will
remain modest (around 250-500 J/kg), the strong low/mid-level
westerly flow and steepened low-level lapse rates should support
scattered damaging winds as low-topped convection spreads southeast
from Quebec and across portions of northern New England through the
afternoon near a secondary/weak front.
...Mid-Atlantic...
Enhanced west-northwesterly mid/upper-level winds will overspread
the Mid-Atlantic today on the southern periphery of the mid-level
shortwave trough moving across New England. A surface front is
expected to sag southward through the day, approaching the
Pennsylvania/Maryland border vicinity by late afternoon. Rich
low-level moisture will be in place ahead of the surface front and
beneath steepening mid-level lapse rates spreading in from the Ohio
Valley. This, along with diurnal heating, will foster a corridor of
moderate to locally strong instability this afternoon. Furthermore,
various NAM/RAP forecast soundings show 30-40 kt of effective bulk
shear and steep low-level lapse rates present south of the front.
This environment would generally support organized cells/line
segments. However, overall thunderstorm coverage remains uncertain
given that stronger forcing for ascent should remain mostly north of
the warm sector. Additionally, it is uncertain to what extent that
smoke may continue to have a negative impact on an otherwise
favorable environment for severe thunderstorms.
...Northeast North Dakota/Northern Minnesota...
A series of convectively enhanced vorticity maxima will migrate
across the Canadian Prairies north of the prominent upper ridge over
the Plains/Rockies, and through northwesterly flow aloft into parts
of North Dakota and northern Minnesota this afternoon into tonight.
At the surface, a weak low and surface front will move across North
Dakota into northern Minnesota during the evening and overnight
hours. South/southeasterly low-level flow will maintain a
moisture-rich boundary layer, supporting a narrow corridor of
instability. NAM/RAP forecast soundings show supercell wind
profiles, but also increasing capping through the late
afternoon/evening. Even so, most high-resolution guidance develops
convection across southern Manitoba into northern North Dakota
during the evening, spreading east/southeast across northern
Minnesota overnight. Isolated severe hail and damaging winds may
occur with this activity, and a tornado risk cannot be ruled out.
...South-Central Texas...
While low-level shear/SRH has weakened since last night, and ongoing
convection remains extensive/repetitive, a northward drift of the
MCV and potential re-establishment of stronger low-level winds later
today into tonight could account for non-zero/brief tornado
potential.
...Arizona...
Thunderstorms will develop over the higher terrain of the Mogollon
Rim and southeast Arizona this afternoon/evening, and subsequently
spread westward across portions of central/southern Arizona. Modest
instability and steep lapse rates amid strong heating could support
sporadic strong gusts.
..Guyer/Squitieri.. 07/16/2026
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