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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)

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

SPC Nov 18, 2025 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

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


Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1139 PM CST Mon Nov 17 2025

Valid 181200Z - 191200Z

...THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE LOWER
OHIO VALLEY REGION...

...SUMMARY...
A few strong to severe storms are possible across portions of the
Lower Ohio Valley region.

...Lower OH Valley...

Central Plains upper trough is shifting east toward the mid MS
Valley, in line with latest model guidance. As a 60+kt 500mb speed
max translates across MO into southern IL/IN, this feature will
advance into the lower OH Valley by 19/00z, suppressing the height
field as far south as the OH River. Veered, but strong LLJ will
focus across southern MO-southern IL/IN before being nudged
downstream into eastern KY/southern OH by early evening. Net result
will be for a NW-SE oriented corridor of warm advection to shift
east during the day ahead of a weak surface low near the base of the
short-wave trough.

Earlier thoughts regarding the potential for severe continue as
instability will gradually increase along this corridor as midlevel
temperatures cool and lapse rates steepen a bit. In the absence of
strong boundary-layer heating, the majority of convection that
develops across this region will be elevated and aided in large part
by the LLJ. Forecast soundings suggest lifted parcel level will
gradually lower by late afternoon such that near-surface based
parcels could yield modest instability (800-1000 J/kg). Primary
concern today will be hail with elevated supercells, but some
tornado risk is possible with late-day storms, where parcel lift
reflects lower 60s dew points that are expected to return toward the
confluence of the MS/OH Rivers during the afternoon.

...Lower Colorado River Valley/southwest AZ...

Weak midlevel height falls will spread across the lower CO River
Valley today as the upper low off the southern CA Coast eventually
settles toward the international border/northern Baja Peninsula. As
this features digs southeast, a weak LLJ should extend across
southwestern AZ into the early part of the afternoon. Latest
thinking is scattered convection should evolve ahead of the cold
front as it surges across the lower CO River Valley. Forecast
soundings exhibit ample shear for organized rotating updrafts, but
buoyancy is expected to be weak. Given the modest lapse rates, there
is concern updrafts may struggle a bit and hail is expected to
remain below severe levels. Some consideration was given to adding a
2 percent probability for the risk of a brief tornado but will hold
off at this time given the marginality of the situation.

..Darrow/Moore.. 11/18/2025


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TPKQyj

Monday, November 17, 2025

SPC Nov 17, 2025 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

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


Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0149 PM CST Mon Nov 17 2025

Valid 172000Z - 181200Z

...THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM NORTHWEST
ARKANSAS INTO CENTRAL MISSOURI AND FAR WEST-CENTRAL ILLINOIS...

...SUMMARY...
Scattered thunderstorms should occur this evening and overnight
across parts of the northern/central Plains into the Ozarks and mid
Mississippi Valley. Isolated thunderstorms are also possible across
the Southwest and central California. A few strong thunderstorms
capable of producing hail may occur across parts of Missouri and
western Illinois late tonight.

...20Z Update...
A few modest changes to the general thunderstorm forecast as well as
the Marginal in southwest MO/northwest AR based on recent
observation/trends in guidance. The forecast otherwise remains on
track. See the previous discussion for additional information.

..Wendt.. 11/17/2025

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1021 AM CST Mon Nov 17 2025/

...Ozarks into the Mid Mississippi Valley...
Shortwave trough currently moving across the central Rockies will
continue eastward across the central Plains, reaching the Mid MS
Valley by early tomorrow. Mass response ahead of this wave will
support continued low-level moisture advection, with low 60s
dewpoints likely reaching far southeast KS/far southwest MO by early
tomorrow morning. Mid 60s dewpoints will likely cover much of
eastern OK and western AR. The stronger large-scale ascent will
remain displaced west and north of the better low-level moisture,
and strong convective inhibition will preclude surface-based storms
throughout the period. However, persistent theta-e advection
throughout the warm conveyor will promote elevated buoyancy and the
potential for multiple rounds of elevated thunderstorms from the
Ozarks northeastward into the Mid MS Valley.

The initial round of deeper convection is expected across the
central MO vicinity this afternoon near the terminus of a 35-40 kt
low-level jet. Buoyancy will remain modest, but there is enough
shear within the cloud-bearing layer for updraft rotation and the
production of isolated hail. Continued warm-air advection will
result in further low-level warming and moistening, increasing the
elevated buoyancy tonight. This buoyancy coupled with glancing
large-scale ascent and a strengthening low-level jet could result in
additional thunderstorms farther south and west into southwest MO,
as well as increased coverage and intensity of any ongoing
thunderstorms from central MO into far west-central IL. Moderate to
strong vertical shear will continue to support rotation within any
deep and persistent updrafts, with an attendant threat for isolated
hail.

...CA into the Southwest...
Upper low currently off the northern CA coast will continue
southward throughout the day, ending the period over the San Luis
Obispo/Santa Barbara/Ventura county vicinity. Sporadic thunderstorms
are possible near this upper low, where cold mid-level temperature
and strong forcing for ascent are anticipated. A
non-lightning-producing band will move through the southern CA
coastal counties ahead of this low. Isolated lightning flashes are
also possible farther east within the warm conveyor over the Lower
CO River Valley and western AZ. Meager instability should limit the
threat for organized severe thunderstorms across the entire region.


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TPKHXF

SPC Nov 17, 2025 1630 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

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


Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1021 AM CST Mon Nov 17 2025

Valid 171630Z - 181200Z

...THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM CENTRAL AND
SOUTHERN MISSOURI INTO FAR WEST-CENTRAL ILLINOIS...

...SUMMARY...
Scattered thunderstorms should occur this evening and overnight
across parts of the northern/central Plains into the Ozarks and mid
Mississippi Valley. Isolated thunderstorms are also possible across
the Southwest and central California. A few strong thunderstorms
capable of producing hail may occur across parts of Missouri and
western Illinois late tonight.

...Ozarks into the Mid Mississippi Valley...
Shortwave trough currently moving across the central Rockies will
continue eastward across the central Plains, reaching the Mid MS
Valley by early tomorrow. Mass response ahead of this wave will
support continued low-level moisture advection, with low 60s
dewpoints likely reaching far southeast KS/far southwest MO by early
tomorrow morning. Mid 60s dewpoints will likely cover much of
eastern OK and western AR. The stronger large-scale ascent will
remain displaced west and north of the better low-level moisture,
and strong convective inhibition will preclude surface-based storms
throughout the period. However, persistent theta-e advection
throughout the warm conveyor will promote elevated buoyancy and the
potential for multiple rounds of elevated thunderstorms from the
Ozarks northeastward into the Mid MS Valley.

The initial round of deeper convection is expected across the
central MO vicinity this afternoon near the terminus of a 35-40 kt
low-level jet. Buoyancy will remain modest, but there is enough
shear within the cloud-bearing layer for updraft rotation and the
production of isolated hail. Continued warm-air advection will
result in further low-level warming and moistening, increasing the
elevated buoyancy tonight. This buoyancy coupled with glancing
large-scale ascent and a strengthening low-level jet could result in
additional thunderstorms farther south and west into southwest MO,
as well as increased coverage and intensity of any ongoing
thunderstorms from central MO into far west-central IL. Moderate to
strong vertical shear will continue to support rotation within any
deep and persistent updrafts, with an attendant threat for isolated
hail.

...CA into the Southwest...
Upper low currently off the northern CA coast will continue
southward throughout the day, ending the period over the San Luis
Obispo/Santa Barbara/Ventura county vicinity. Sporadic thunderstorms
are possible near this upper low, where cold mid-level temperature
and strong forcing for ascent are anticipated. A
non-lightning-producing band will move through the southern CA
coastal counties ahead of this low. Isolated lightning flashes are
also possible farther east within the warm conveyor over the Lower
CO River Valley and western AZ. Meager instability should limit the
threat for organized severe thunderstorms across the entire region.

..Mosier/Thornton.. 11/17/2025


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TPK330

SPC Nov 17, 2025 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

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


Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1141 PM CST Sun Nov 16 2025

Valid 171200Z - 181200Z

...NO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST...

...SUMMARY...
Scattered thunderstorms are possible this evening into early Tuesday
morning across parts of the central/northern Plains into the Ozarks
and mid Mississippi Valley. Additional storms are possible across
the Southwest and central California. A few strong storms are
possible in the Midwest, but severe-thunderstorm potential appears
low at this time.

...Synopsis...
05 UTC satellite imagery depicts a progressive upper wave traversing
the central Rockies. Ahead of this feature, a broad low/mid-level
baroclinic zone was analyzed from the central Plains southeastward
into the lower MS River Valley. This diffuse boundary is expected to
lift northward as an effective warm frontal zone as
south/southwesterly winds strengthen ahead of the approaching upper
wave. Strong isentropic ascent and moistening near 850 mb should
support isolated to scattered elevated thunderstorms from the
northern Plains into the Midwest/mid-MS River Valley. Across the
West, a second upper trough will continue to dig southward along the
CA coast. Cold temperatures aloft combined with broad scale ascent
should promote isolated, though weak, thunderstorms.

...Mid-MS Valley...
50-60 knot mid-level flow associated with the upper wave will
overspread much of MO/IL during the overnight hours as isentropic
ascent increases and thunderstorm coverage is maximized. While wind
profiles appear to show adequate deep-layer shear for organized
convection, most forecast soundings depict modest lapse rates and
narrow buoyancy profiles, which should modulate overall updraft
intensities. This limitation is reflected in recent CAM solutions,
which uniformly show very weak signals for strong updrafts or UH
tracks. Consequently, confidence in a severe threat remains too
limited for risk probabilities, but a few instances of
small/near-severe hail appear possible.

..Moore/Darrow.. 11/17/2025


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TPJP0Z
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)