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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)

Sunday, March 29, 2026

SPC Mar 29, 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
0726 AM CDT Sun Mar 29 2026

Valid 291300Z - 301200Z

...NO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST...

...SUMMARY...
Isolated non-severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and
evening across parts of Arizona, far southern Louisiana and in south
Florida.

...Synopsis...
Surface ridging currently centered over the Mid-Atlantic and
covering much of the eastern CONUS is forecast to shift
northeastward into the western Atlantic today as mid-level flow
trends more westerly and surface pressure lowers over the Plains.
Strengthening pressure gradient between the Plains troughing and the
western Atlantic ridge will support moderate southerly low-level
flow and modest moisture advection across the central and southern
Plains. By early tomorrow (Monday), mid 50s dewpoints will likely
extend from south-central OK into the Mid-South, with 60s dewpoints
extending from central TX through the Lower MS Valley.

Despite this increasing low-level moisture, warm temperatures aloft
and negligible large-scale ascent will preclude thunderstorm
development. Only thunderstorm chances across the CONUS today will
be across central/southern AZ, south FL, and a small part the
southeast LA Coast. Across south FL a weakening front and associated
low-level convergence will combine with warm and moist conditions to
support isolated thunderstorms. A few thunderstorms are also
possible over the southeast LA coast in the confluent low-level
southeasterly flow rounding the base of the surface ridging.

Predominantly dry thunderstorms are anticipated across
central/southern AZ where strong heating and deep mixing will occur
beneath modest mid-level moisture emanating from the eastern
Pacific. Given the high LCLs and steep low-level lapse rates, strong
downbursts are possible. However, limited updraft strength and
persistence should temper the overall severe potential.

..Mosier/Marsh.. 03/29/2026


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TRmBlX

SPC Mar 29, 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
1255 AM CDT Sun Mar 29 2026

Valid 291200Z - 301200Z

...NO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST...

...SUMMARY...
Isolated non-severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and
evening across parts of Arizona, far southern Louisiana and in south
Florida.

...DISCUSSION...
West-northwest mid-level flow will remain in place over much of the
U.S. today, as a cold front moves southward into the south Florida.
A few thunderstorms will be possible near the front this afternoon.
Isolated storms may also develop over parts of far southern
Louisiana, and in Arizona as a subtle shortwave trough approaches
from the southwest. No severe threat is forecast across the
continental U.S. today or tonight.

..Broyles/Squitieri.. 03/29/2026


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TRm0QK

Saturday, March 28, 2026

SPC Mar 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
0751 PM CDT Sat Mar 28 2026

Valid 290100Z - 291200Z

...NO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST...

...SUMMARY...
Isolated thunderstorms will be possible across parts of south and
central Florida this evening, but no severe threat is forecast.

...DISCUSSION...
West to northwest mid-level flow will continue across most of the
U.S. this evening. At the surface, a cold front will move southward
through central Florida. A moist airmass is present to the south of
the front, where surface dewpoints are in the 60s F. Low-level
convergence will be enough for isolated thunderstorm development
this evening. However, instability will remain very weak, limiting
any potential for a severe threat. Elsewhere across the continental
U.S., conditions will be unfavorable for thunderstorms through
tonight.

..Broyles.. 03/29/2026


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TRlrM0

SPC Mar 28, 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
1051 AM CDT Sat Mar 28 2026

Valid 281630Z - 291200Z

...NO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST...

...SUMMARY...
Severe thunderstorms are not forecast across the contiguous United
States through tonight.

...Synopsis...
An upper trough over the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states will move
east into the western Atlantic and become increasingly displaced
from the Southeast U.S. A southward-moving cold front, evident in
visible satellite imagery over the Gulf Stream east of north FL,
will move across the FL Peninsula before becoming less defined and
decelerating as it encounters a sub-tropical airmass over south FL
and the Bahamian archipelago. Strong heating and modest buoyancy
will support isolated to widely scattered convection mainly along
this boundary during the afternoon and evening, fostered by both
convergence along the front and sea breeze boundary. Limited
buoyancy and weak shear will likely preclude severe thunderstorms.

..Smith/Bunting.. 03/28/2026


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TRlX80
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)