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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, October 28, 2026

SPC Oct 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
0759 PM CDT Tue Oct 27 2026

Valid 280100Z - 281200Z

...THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PORTIONS
OF FAR WEST TEXAS...

...SUMMARY...
Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible for a few more hours this
evening across a small portion of Far West Texas.

...Discussion...
A remaining storm or two could pose an isolated large hail threat
for the next few hours before weakening with the loss of daytime
heating. Will maintain the Marginal Risk for this short term threat,
but the severe weather threat will be minimal for the remainder of
the overnight period.

..Bentley.. 10/28/2026


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TW56Y9

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

SPC Oct 27, 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
0254 PM CDT Tue Oct 27 2026

Valid 272000Z - 281200Z

...THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON
AND EVENING OVER A SMALL PORTION OF SOUTHEAST NM INTO FAR WEST
TEXAS...

...SUMMARY...
Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon over a
small part of southeast New Mexico and Far West Texas.

...20Z Update...
Visible satellite imagery shows deepening cumulus and an initial
attempt at convective initiation over Far West Texas, although storm
tops and lightning activity have decreased since the initial upward
pulse. Still, the expectation is for isolated thunderstorms to
develop across portions of West Texas into far southeastern New
Mexico this afternoon into the evening. Given steep lapse rates,
moderate buoyancy, and 0-6km shear of 30-40 kts, some supercell
thunderstorm potential exists. Though storm coverage is anticipated
to remain low, recent forecast guidance and mesoanalysis data
indicate the environment may be supportive of large hail up to 2.5"
in diameter. For short term details, see MCD #2412

While minor adjustments to the Marginal Risk area have been made to
account for recent trends, the primary change is to introduce a CIG
1 area for hail to reflect the potential for very large hail.

..Halbert-K.. 10/27/2026

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1128 AM CDT Tue Oct 27 2026/

...Southeast NM/Far West TX...
Water-vapor imagery late this morning indicates broad cyclonic flow
over the western half of the Lower 48 states, with
west-southwesterly flow across the southern Rockies and adjacent
High Plains. A lee trough over the High Plains will yield favorable
low-level trajectories for maintaining moisture in Far West TX and
southeast NM. The 12 UTC Midland, TX observed sounding showed
moderately steep 700-500 mb lapse rates (7 deg C/km) with shear
primarily relegated in the 500 to 200 mb layer. As the boundary
layer heats and destabilizes through mid afternoon, moderate
buoyancy will likely develop and lead to isolated thunderstorms.
Forecast soundings imply a couple of supercells potentially capable
of large hail (1 to 1.75 inches in diameter) will be possible.


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TW517y

SPC Oct 27, 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
1128 AM CDT Tue Oct 27 2026

Valid 271630Z - 281200Z

...THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON
AND EVENING OVER A SMALL PART OF SOUTHEAST NM AND FAR WEST TX...

...SUMMARY...
Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible later today over a small
part of southeast New Mexico and far west Texas.

...Southeast NM/Far West TX...
Water-vapor imagery late this morning indicates broad cyclonic flow
over the western half of the Lower 48 states, with
west-southwesterly flow across the southern Rockies and adjacent
High Plains. A lee trough over the High Plains will yield favorable
low-level trajectories for maintaining moisture in Far West TX and
southeast NM. The 12 UTC Midland, TX observed sounding showed
moderately steep 700-500 mb lapse rates (7 deg C/km) with shear
primarily relegated in the 500 to 200 mb layer. As the boundary
layer heats and destabilizes through mid afternoon, moderate
buoyancy will likely develop and lead to isolated thunderstorms.
Forecast soundings imply a couple of supercells potentially capable
of large hail (1 to 1.75 inches in diameter) will be possible.

..Smith/Halbert.. 10/27/2026


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TW4rW5

SPC Oct 27, 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
1228 AM CDT Tue Oct 27 2026

Valid 271200Z - 281200Z

...NO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST...

...SUMMARY...
Severe thunderstorms are not expected today.

...Synopsis...
A large-scale trough will be maintained across the West on Tuesday
with ridging remaining across the East. Several embedded mid-level
shortwave troughs will be present within this western trough,
including across the central Plains.

High pressure across much of the CONUS will limit thunderstorm
activity. The only exception will be across the southern High Plains
where some lee troughing and moisture return will be present. A few
thunderstorms may develop within a region of relatively greater
instability (1000 to 1500 J/kg MLCAPE) across southeast New Mexico
and Far West Texas. Shear will be relatively weak, but there could
be enough flow for some marginal supercell structures. Hail could be
possible with the strongest storms, but it should remain below
severe limits. Outside of this area any storm activity should remain
weak and unorganized.

..Bentley/Thornton.. 10/27/2026


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TW4MyR
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)