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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.

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Monday, July 6, 2026

SPC Jul 6, 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 Mon Jul 06 2026

Valid 061630Z - 071200Z

...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER PORTIONS OF
THE MID-ATLANTIC...NORTHERN PLAINS...AND THE ARKLATEX REGION...

...SUMMARY...
Widely scattered severe thunderstorms capable of large hail and
severe wind gusts appear possible across the eastern Dakotas and
western Minnesota this afternoon and evening. Isolated to scattered
damaging wind gusts will also be possible with the strongest storms
in the southern Mid-Atlantic, Carolinas, and ArkLaTex regions.

...MN/ND...
Morning water vapory imagery shows a fast-moving shortwave trough
over southern Manitoba, with its associated surface cold front
sagging southward across ND. This front will serve as the focus for
scattered thunderstorm development by mid-afternoon from northern MN
into eastern ND. Strong heating ahead of the front and dewpoints
near 70F will yield MLCAPE over 3000 J/kg. Forecast soundings show
relatively steep mid-level lapse rates and favorable deep-layer
shear for supercells capable of large hail and severe wind gusts.
These storms may persist through the evening, spreading southward
into central MN and eastern SD.

...Mid Atlantic/Carolinas...
Another day of scattered afternoon thunderstorms will affect much of
the Mid Atlantic and Carolinas region today. Vertical shear and
steering flow is rather weak, suggesting storms will be poorly
organized. However, strong heating and steep low-level lapse rates,
combined with substantial CAPE in forecast soundings, suggest that
the strongest cells will pose the risk of damaging wind gusts over a
relatively broad area again today.

...AR/LA/OK/TX...
Strong heating and ample low-level moisture will lead to scattered
afternoon thunderstorms again today over much of AR, southeast OK,
northeast TX, and northern LA. This is near a mid-level trough
where lapse rates and mid-level temperatures are more favorable for
robust up/downdrafts capable of damaging wind gusts. Have opted for
a small SLGT risk for parts of this area where convective coverage
appears highest.

...Northern UT into WY...
Scattered high-based fast-moving thunderstorms are expected this
afternoon over northern UT, moving northeastward into western and
northern WY. The strongest of these cells will pose a risk of
damaging wind gusts.

..Hart/Weinman.. 07/06/2026


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


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SPC Jul 6, 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 Mon Jul 06 2026

Valid 061300Z - 071200Z

...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF
THE EASTERN DAKOTAS AND WESTERN MINNESOTA AS WELL AS CENTRAL
VIRGINIA INTO FAR NORTH-CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA...

...SUMMARY...
Widely scattered severe thunderstorms capable of large to very large
hail and severe wind gusts appear possible across the eastern
Dakotas and western Minnesota this afternoon and evening. Isolated
to scattered damaging wind gusts will also be possible with the
strongest storms in the southern Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas.

...Upper Mississippi Valley into north-central Nebraska...
Early-morning surface analysis reveals a low over far southwest
Manitoba, with a cold front extending southwestward from this low
into southeast MT and then westward across south-central MT. This
surface low and associated cold front precede a well-defined
shortwave trough currently moving through southern Saskatchewan.
This shortwave is forecast to continue eastward today, with the
attendant surface low and cold front progressing eastward as well. A
warm and moist airmass will precede this cold front, with afternoon
highs ranging from the upper 80s/low 90s across eastern SD/northwest
MN into the upper 90s/low 100s from central SD into central NE.
Boundary-layer mixing will be offset by modest low-level moisture
advection, likely keeping dewpoints in the mid to upper 60s over
much of the region. These warm and moist conditions will help
destabilize the airmass, despite relatively warm mid-level
temperatures at the base of a northeastward-advecting EML. Over 2000
J/kg of MLCAPE will likely be in place by the mid afternoon, with a
pocket of 3000 J/kg possible across southeast SD by the late
afternoon.

Thunderstorm development is anticipated first across western ND and
northwest MN as the cold front interacts with this buoyant airmass,
with ascent along the front augmented by modest lift along the
southern periphery of the shortwave trough. Enhanced mid-level flow
will exist within the base of this shortwave as well, with the
resulting combination of buoyancy and shear supportive of supercells
early in the convective cycle, with large hail as the primary
hazard. Some instances of hail in excess of two inches are possible.
A somewhat quick transition to a more linear mode appears likely
given the frontal forcing, close storm proximity, and likelihood of
strong cold pools. Severe gusts will be the primary hazard once this
upscale growth occurs.

Lower storm coverage is anticipated with southward extent from
central SD into northern NE. Here, weaker shear is expected to limit
the potential for organized storm modes, though isolated occurrences
of hail and severe wind gusts appear possible with the strongest
storms.

...Mid-Atlantic into the Carolinas...
A hot and very moist boundary layer is forecast in the vicinity of
a lee trough this afternoon, with MLCAPE generally from 1500-2500
J/kg. Forcing for ascent will be weak, with convergence along the
lee trough as the primary impetus for convective initiation.
Vertical shear will be weak, but scattered coverage and an
outflow-dominant storm mode will support the potential for upscale
growth into loosely organized clusters. Relatively high storm bases
and steep low-level lapse rates will enhance downdraft potential
with a risk for damaging wind gusts with the strongest storms.
Highest coverage is expected from central VA into far north-central
NC.

...Northern Great Basin into southern Montana and northern
Wyoming...
Early-morning satellite imagery shows a shortwave trough moving into
southwestern ID. This shortwave is forecast to continue
northeastward across ID and western MT, moving within the
northwestern periphery of an upper ridge centered over the Four
Corners. Mid-level moisture and ascent associated with this
shortwave will result in isolated to scattered thunderstorms across
the region during the afternoon and evening. Moderate mid-level flow
(i.e. 35-40 kt winds at 500 mb) will accompany this wave as well,
resulting in sufficient deep-layer shear to support at least
episodic supercell and bowing structures capable of damaging winds
and isolated hail.

...Lower MS Valley...
A notable vorticity maximum is currently moving southward from
southwest MO into northwest AR, with slow southward/southeastward
progression of this vorticity maximum expected throughout the day.
Ample low-level moisture exists over the region, supporting diurnal
airmass destabilization and the development of strong buoyancy (i.e.
MLCAPE from 2000 to 3000 J/kg) by the afternoon. Scattered to
numerous thunderstorms are anticipated as the vorticity max moves
through this environment. Vertical shear will be weak, limiting
storm organization, but a few strong downdrafts are still possible.
Isolated occurrences of marginally severe hail are possible as well.

..Mosier/Dean.. 07/06/2026


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


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SPC Jul 6, 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
1236 AM CDT Mon Jul 06 2026

Valid 061200Z - 071200Z

...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF
THE EASTERN DAKOTAS AND WESTERN MINNESOTA...

...SUMMARY...
Widely scattered severe thunderstorms capable of large to very large
hail and severe wind gusts appear possible across the eastern
Dakotas and western Minnesota Monday afternoon and evening. More
isolated occurrences of damaging wind and large hail are possible
from the northern Rockies into northern High Plains and the lower
Mississippi Valley. Isolated to widely scattered damaging wind gusts
will be possible with the strongest storms in the southern
Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas.

...Synopsis...

A vigorous short-wave trough and associated 50-60 kt mid-level jet
streak will progress from southern Saskatchewan into northwest
Ontario with the southern fringe of modest height falls and stronger
mid-level flow situated along the international border. Elsewhere, a
vorticity maximum will move through AR within the base of a
mid-level trough over the lower MS Valley, while a separate
short-wave trough advances through OR into the northern Rockies.

At the surface, a cold front associated with the Canadian
disturbance will move south into the Dakotas and upper MS Valley,
while a backdoor-type cold front pushes south through parts of the
Mid-Atlantic. A lee trough will extend south from the front through
central VA into the Carolinas with some model signal for surface low
development along the trough over central VA.

...Upper Mississippi Valley into north-central Nebraska...

Boundary-layer dewpoints in the mid 60s to low 70s will coincide
with the northeast extension of an EML plume to yield moderate to
strong instability Monday afternoon ahead of the cold front with
MLCAPE of 2500-3500+ J/kg. The modest height falls aloft will
combine with frontal convergence to yield widely scattered
thunderstorms by mid afternoon in the Red River Valley. Subsequent
storm development is possible along the front as far south as
northwest or north-central NE by late afternoon or early evening.

The strongest deep-layer shear of 30-40 kt is forecast across the
Red River Valley with a vector orientation that is largely
perpendicular to the surface front. As such, supercells appear
possible initially with the primary hazard being large hail
potentially in excess of two inches. Effective SRH of generally less
than 100-150 m2/s2 is forecast into late afternoon, during the
period of more discrete storm modes, which may tend to limit a more
robust tornado threat. 00Z CAM guidance is in relatively good
agreement in depicting the upscale growth of storms into a linear
system by evening over eastern SD and western MN with an associated
risk for severe wind gusts.

Weaker vertical shear with southward extent from central SD into
northern NE is expected to limit the potential for organized storm
modes, though isolated occurrences of hail and severe wind gusts
appear possible with the strongest storms.

...Northeast Idaho through southern Montana and northern Wyoming...

The short-wave trough moving into the northern Rockies will be
attended by a belt of 35-40 kt winds at 500 mb, which will enhance
vertical shear across the region. Isolated to widely scattered
thunderstorms are expected to develop by mid to late afternoon from
the Bitterroot to Big Horn Mountains amidst a steep lapse rate and
at least modestly unstable environment. There is some model signal
that an MCS could evolve over northeast WY Monday evening.
Sufficient deep-layer shear will exist to support at least episodic
supercell and bowing structures capable of large hail and damaging
winds. The expected areal coverage of the severe weather threat
currently precludes higher wind and hail probabilities.

...Mid-Atlantic into the Carolinas...

A hot and very moist boundary layer is forecast in the vicinity of
the lee trough and surface low Monday afternoon with MLCAPE as high
as 2000-3000 J/kg. Forcing for ascent will be weak, as will vertical
shear. Nonetheless, convergence along the lee trough and backdoor
front is expected to foster scattered thunderstorms by early to mid
afternoon with the potential for upscale growth into loosely
organized clusters by late afternoon into evening. The presence of
steep low-level lapse rates will enhance downdraft potential with a
risk for damaging wind gusts with the strongest storms.

An upgrade to a level 2/Slight Risk is possible in later outlooks if
a preferred corridor of damaging wind potential becomes apparent in
future model data.

...Lower Mississippi Valley...

Forcing for ascent preceding the vorticity maximum mentioned in the
synopsis is expected to focus scattered afternoon thunderstorms from
AR into the Sabine and lower MS Valleys. Vertical shear will remain
relatively weak; however, the presence of a moist and moderately to
strongly unstable air mass (i.e., MLCAPE up to 2000-3000 J/kg) will
support vigorous up/downdrafts capable of isolated occurrences of
damaging winds and marginally severe hail.

..Mead/Moore.. 07/06/2026


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TTMzcd

Sunday, July 5, 2026

SPC Jul 6, 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
0800 PM CDT Sun Jul 05 2026

Valid 060100Z - 061200Z

...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER WEST-CENTRAL
TEXAS...WESTERN AND NORTH-CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA...AND PARTS OF THE
MID-ATLANTIC...

...SUMMARY...
Scattered wind damage remains possible with thunderstorms across the
Mid-Atlantic and west-central Texas through the remainder of the
evening. Large hail and damaging gusts may still occur with
thunderstorms in North Dakota and Montana.

...West-Central Texas...

A forward-propagating MCS has evolved this evening across the TX Big
Country into the Low Rolling Plains with gusts of 62 and 75 mph
reported with the system over the past hour. The inflow air mass
remains hot and relatively moist with latest objective analysis
indicating MLCAPE of 1500-2000 J/kg. The KFDR VWP indicates a belt
of 30-40 kt northerly winds in the 4-6 km AGL layer, which is likely
enhancing vertical shear. This, when coupled with the presence of a
relatively deep and well-mixed PBL, will continue to support severe
wind gusts and sporadic hail occurrences for the next few hours as
the MCS continues south into the Concho Valley.

For additional near-term details, see MCD 1517.

...Mid-Atlantic...

Earlier, more discrete storms have gradually evolved into a
larger-scale complex over southeast PA with that system tracking
east along a subtle boundary that extends into central NJ.
Additional storm clustering is noted farther south, near Baltimore,
with latest model guidance suggesting additional consolidation of
storms over the next hour or two across the Delmarva into the DE
River Valley. The 00Z IAD sampled a moist and moderately unstable
air mass, which featured steep lapse rates in the lowest 1-1.5 km
AGL. While vertical shear is relatively weak, the steep lapse rates
will support episodic cold-pool organization with an attendant risk
for damaging winds for the next 1-3 hours.

For additional near-term information, see MCD 1518.

...Montana and North Dakota...

Mesoanalysis places a surface front from western ND into
south-central MT, with steep lapse rates and locally higher
boundary-layer moisture contributing to a corridor of moderate to
strong instability in the vicinity of the boundary over northwest ND
into northeast MT. Widely scattered thunderstorms are ongoing this
evening to the east of the boundary in western ND amidst a warmer
and slightly drier boundary layer as sampled by the 00Z BIS
sounding. The development of a nocturnal low-level jet may support
some moistening late this evening into tonight; however, increasing
convective inhibition may become more prohibitive to surface-based
storm sustenance upon nightfall. Nonetheless, isolated occurrences
of large hail and severe wind gusts remain possible with the ongoing
storms for the next 1-3 hours.

Farther west, a separate thunderstorm regime is ongoing to the north
of the surface front in central MT. The short-term models suggest a
few of those storms could persist through the remainder of the
evening with isolated occurrences of large hail and severe wind
gusts possible.

..Mead.. 07/06/2026


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


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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)