SPC Sep 7, 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 Mon Sep 07 2026

Valid 071200Z - 081200Z

...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER NORTHWEST
INTO CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA AND SOUTHEAST SOUTH DAKOTA INTO NORTHEAST
NEBRASKA...

...SUMMARY...
Widely scattered severe storms capable of mainly large hail are
expected over portions of northwest and central North Dakota and
southeast South Dakota into northeast Nebraska Monday afternoon into
evening. A tornado or two is possible in southeast South Dakota. A
broader area of isolated large hail and damaging wind potential
exists over the northern and central Plains into upper Mississippi
Valley. Locally damaging wind gusts appear possible over the central
Gulf Coast states Monday afternoon and evening.

...Synopsis...

A vigorous short-wave trough will pivot from the northern Rockies
through the northern High Plains with an associated strengthening of
the mid/upper-level wind field forecast across the northern Plains
into the upper MS Valley. A low-level jet (LLJ) will also be
sustained over the northern and central Plains into upper MS Valley
ahead of a surface cold front advancing through the northern Plains
and central High Plains.

...Northern and central Plains into the upper Mississippi Valley...

Clusters of mainly elevated thunderstorms may be ongoing at 12Z
Monday from eastern MT into the Dakotas within a zone of forcing for
ascent preceding a lead, mid-level disturbance and coincident with
the exit region of the LLJ. The presence of steep mid-level lapse
rates, MUCAPE of 1000-1500 J/kg, and 35-45 kt of effective bulk
shear will be supportive of some storm organization with an
associated risk for isolated large hail occurrences through the
morning hours as that convective regime shifts east across the
Dakotas.

On the periphery of more persistent cloudiness associated with the
morning storms, stronger insolation coupled with dewpoints in the
upper 60s to low 70s F and modestly steep mid-level lapse rates are
expected to yield a moderately unstable air mass by mid to late
afternoon with MLCAPE up to 1500-2500+ J/kg and a weakening cap.
Surface-based thunderstorm development will become increasingly
likely at that time, aided by increasing height falls attending the
primary short-wave trough.

The 00Z models indicate one potentially favored location for storm
development over portions of south-central and southeast SD into
northeast CO, from the vicinity of a secondary surface low southwest
along a pre-frontal trough. RAP-based hodographs over southeast SD
indicate considerable veering through the lowest 1-2 km AGL with
effective SRH of 200-300 m2/s2 and effective bulk shear magnitudes
of 40-45 kt, owing to the proximity of the LLJ. Accompanying
thermodynamic profiles suggest modest low-level lapse rates with
some residual capping. However, given surface-based storm initiation
and sustenance, supercells would be likely with an associated large
hail and tornado threat.

A hotter and more well-mixed boundary layer is expected with
southwestward extent ahead of the pre-frontal trough where
high-based storms capable of severe wind gusts and hail appear
possible.

Surface-based storms also appear possible ahead of an occluding
surface low and trailing cold front from northwest into central ND.
While the boundary layer may remain relatively cool from the
early-day storms, cooling mid-level temperatures will effectively
steepen lapse rates, yielding sufficient instability amidst 40-50 kt
of deep-layer layer. As such, supercells appear possible with an
attendant risk for large hail.

...Central Gulf Coast...

A hot and very moist air mass is forecast Monday afternoon ahead of
a weak front pushing into the region from the north with MLCAPE
increasing to 2500-3500 J/kg. Forcing for ascent will remain weak as
will vertical shear; however, the degree of instability and high
moisture content will be supportive of intense pulse storms capable
of damaging wet microbursts from mid-afternoon into evening.

..Mead/Chalmers.. 09/07/2026


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TVMQPh

SPC Sep 7, 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
0740 PM CDT Sun Sep 06 2026

Valid 070100Z - 071200Z

...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER PARTS OF
WESTERN AND CENTRAL MONTANA AND OVER A SMALL PART OF THE LOWER
MISSOURI VALLEY...

...SUMMARY...
Widely scattered large hail occurrences with hailstones up to two
inches are expected over portions of western and central Montana
this evening into tonight. More sporadic occurrences of large hail
and severe wind gusts appear possible over the northern and central
High Plains, and across parts of the lower Missouri Valley.

...Northern Rockies into the northern Plains...

Separate vorticity lobes and associated wind maxima will progress
into the northern Rockies and northern High Plains tonight with a
resultant zone of height falls/forcing for ascent overspreading the
region. In the lower levels, a surface cyclone will be maintained
over southeast MT while a nocturnal jet develops over the northern
and central High Plains.

Thunderstorms currently intensifying over western MT are expected to
increase in coverage and intensity while spreading into
north-central MT ahead of the western vorticity lobe rounding the
base of the Pacific Northwest upper low. While the boundary layer is
somewhat cool/stable, the presence of steep mid-level lapse rates,
MUCAPE up to 1000-1500 J/kg, and 40-45 kt of effective bulk shear
will be supportive of supercells with the primary hazard being large
hail up to two inches.

Farther east, isolated to widely scattered storms have developed
along and ahead of a lee trough and the MT surface low from western
ND into northeast CO within a steep lapse rate and moderately
unstable environment (see the 00Z UNR and LBF soundings). Veering
winds with height with up to 35-40 kt of deep-layer shear are
sufficient to support an observed supercell storm mode with the
primary hazards being large hail potentially in excess of two inches
and locally severe wind gusts. A tornado was recently reported with
a slow-moving supercell over McKenzie County, ND. However, sizable
temperature-dewpoint spreads within the inflow air mass, and the
tendency for increasing convective inhibition in the coming hours
are likely to limit a continuing tornado threat despite increasing
low-level shear.

Storm coverage is expected to remain limited through the remainder
of the evening with a potential increase later tonight with the
arrival of the eastern vorticity lobe and strengthening low-level
jet. As such, the threat for sporadic large hail and severe wind
gust occurrences may linger into the overnight hours from eastern MT
into the western parts of the Dakotas and NE.

For additional information, see recently issued mesoscale discussion
#2259.

...Lower Missouri Valley...

Widely scattered strong to severe storms are ongoing this evening
over parts of southeast NE, northeast KS, and northwest MO with
activity focused along outflow boundaries and a synoptic front in
the area. The inflow air mass remains hot and relatively moist as of
00Z with observed soundings indicating steep low-level lapse rates
with MLCAPE up to 1500-3000 J/kg. The 00Z TOP sounding sampled
around 30 kt of deep-layer shear, which will remain supportive of
episodic supercell structures for the next couple of hours with an
associated risk for large hail and locally damaging wind gusts.

For additional information, see recently issued mesoscale discussion
#2258.

..Mead.. 09/07/2026


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TVMCNS

SPC Sep 6, 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
0300 PM CDT Sun Sep 06 2026

Valid 062000Z - 071200Z

...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF
THE SOUTHEAST...MONTANA...AND THE MISSOURI VALLEY...

...SUMMARY...
Scattered damaging winds should occur across parts of the Southeast
this afternoon/early evening. Scattered large hail is forecast
across portions of Montana this afternoon and evening. A focused
corridor for damaging winds and severe hail is forecast across parts
of the Middle and Lower Missouri Valley. Isolated strong to severe
thunderstorms may also occur today across parts of the northern
Great Basin, northern/central Plains, and the Ozarks.

...20Z Update...
A Slight Risk was added across parts of the Middle and Lower
Missouri Valley -- driven by 15-percent wind and hail probabilities.
Here, ample diurnal heating amid a very moist air mass is yielding a
corridor of strong surface-based buoyancy (around 4000 J/kg MLCAPE
per the latest HRRR SFCOA data). Large-scale ascent preceding a
convectively augmented midlevel impulse should promote an increase
in storm coverage in this north/south corridor through the
afternoon. The strong buoyancy and around 30 kt of effective shear
should promote a mix of organized clusters and possibly some
supercell structures -- capable of producing damaging wind gusts and
severe hail. See MCD #2253 for more details.

Farther north, the Slight Risk in ND was removed. The latest mode
evolution suggests a reduced hail threat compared to this morning.
However, a locally favorable corridor for damaging wind gusts may
develop into parts of eastern ND this afternoon/early evening.

Elsewhere, the previous forecast remains on track.

..Weinman.. 09/06/2026

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1130 AM CDT Sun Sep 06 2026/

...Southeast/Lower Mississippi Valley...
Recent visible satellite imagery shows mostly clear skies across
GA/SC late this morning, with surface temperatures already in the
mid/upper 80s to low 90s. A weak front is draped from northwest to
southeast from the southern Appalachians to the Atlantic Coast, with
generally low to mid 70s surface dewpoints present to its south.
Continued diurnal heating of this moist airmass will support the
development of moderate to strong instability (greater with
southward/westward extent into GA/AL and north FL). Compared to the
past couple of days, this region will be displaced from the stronger
mid-level west-northwesterly flow present across the
Mid-Atlantic/Northeast. Corresponding deep-layer shear is expected
to remain rather modest (less than 25 kt), with only loosely
organized updrafts forecast. Even with these kinematic limitations,
steepening low-level lapse rates through the afternoon may still
promote isolated to scattered damaging winds with clusters that
develop and spread south-southeastward through the early evening.
Isolated hail may also occur with the more robust cells that can
develop initially. The damaging wind threat should be more isolated
with westward extent into the lower MS Valley compared to GA and the
Carolinas, where the Slight Risk has been maintained with some
expansion.

...Northern Great Basin into the Northern Rockies/High Plains...
A closed mid/upper-level low over the Pacific Northwest and British
Columbia will pivot towards the northern Rockies through the period,
with a belt of enhanced mid-level flow overspreading the northern
Great Basin into the northern Rockies and adjacent High Plains in
MT. At the surface, mostly cloudy conditions are present over much
of western/central MT this morning. Even so, recent NAM/RAP forecast
soundings across this region show supercell profiles later this
afternoon and evening as mid/upper-level winds foster strong
deep-layer shear. Current expectations are for multiple supercells
to develop initially over the higher terrain and spread quickly
northeastward. While there is still some uncertainty regarding
boundary-layer destabilization, sufficient MUCAPE is forecast to
support supercell maintenance into the adjacent High Plains through
the evening. Large hail should be the main threat with this activity
(with some 2+ inches possible given the very favorable deep-layer
shear), but isolated severe gusts may also occur. The Slight Risk
has been adjusted/expanded a little eastward in MT based on latest
short-term guidance trends. High-based thunderstorms may also pose
an isolated threat for severe gusts across parts of the northern
Great Basin this afternoon.

...Northern/Central Plains into the Upper Midwest/Missouri Valley
and Ozarks...
Ongoing and likely elevated supercells with a threat for large hail
across parts of western ND are being aided by a subtle mid-level
shortwave trough cresting the upper ridge that is anchored over the
central CONUS. Favorable lapse rates aloft and modestly enhanced
mid/upper-level southwesterly flow is likely supporting updraft
organization/intensity with this ongoing activity. The airmass
downstream across central/eastern ND should gradually destabilize
through the afternoon, with a moist low-level airmass present to the
east of a weak surface low over eastern MT/southwest ND/northwest
SD. It remains unclear whether these ongoing supercells will be
maintained farther east across ND, but given the favorable airmass
and sufficient deep-layer shear present, have opted to add a
targeted Slight Risk for the large hail potential.

Additional convection is occurring farther south in SD, southwest
MN/northwest IA, and northeast NE in association with a mid-level
vorticity maximum evident on water vapor satellite imagery moving
eastward across SD/NE. There is a narrow corridor of greater
instability present across this region southward to the Ozarks,
generally along/near a weak surface front. Isolated hail may occur
with the stronger cores in the short term, but it remains unclear if
convection will be able to form into a southward-moving cluster
across eastern NE/western IA later this afternoon and evening. If
this does occur, then a greater threat for severe/damaging winds
would exist. Have deferred a possible upgrade to Slight Risk given
the uncertainty with how ongoing convection will evolve/impact the
developing warm sector, and due to the presence of the large-scale
mid/upper-level ridge and generally modest flow aloft. A separate
area of high-based thunderstorms that should develop this afternoon
along/east of a surface lee trough across the central High Plains
could produce occasional hail and severe gusts, even as deep-layer
shear remains modest.


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TVM65t

SPC Sep 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
0751 AM CDT Sun Sep 06 2026

Valid 061300Z - 071200Z

...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER PORTIONS OF
THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS INTO THE SAVANNAH RIVER VALLEY...AND OVER
PARTS OF WESTERN AND CENTRAL MONTANA...

...SUMMARY...
Widely scattered damaging wind gusts are likely across portions of
the Southeast this afternoon and early evening. Widely scattered
large hail occurrences are expected across portions of western and
central Montana this afternoon and evening. Additional areas at risk
for isolated severe wind and hail are parts of the Interior West,
over the northern and central High Plains, and from the eastern
Dakotas and western Minnesota into the Ozark Plateau and Gulf Coast
states.

...Southern Appalachians through coastal SC and GA...
A moist airmass is in place across the region this morning, with
recent surface analysis revealing a reservoir of low to mid 70s
dewpoints. Strong heating is anticipated across this region today,
with afternoon temperatures reaching the low to mid 90s. This strong
heating will destabilize the airmass and contribute to
moderate/strong buoyancy, with MLCAPE around 2000-2500 J/kg likely
during the late afternoon. A subtle shortwave trough will progress
through the northwesterly flow aloft extending over the area,
interacting with this destabilized airmass to support thunderstorm
development. Vertical shear will generally be weak, limiting updraft
organization and promoting a predominantly outflow-dominant storm
mode. Even so, steep low-level lapse rates and abundant moisture
will promote the potential for damaging wind gusts with any
longer-lived multi-cells or line segments. Updraft augmentation due
to storm interactions could also result in isolated hail.

...Ozark Plateau into the Gulf Coast States...
A corridor of greater low-level moisture arcs from the Southeast
states through Arkansas and Missouri. Daytime heating will
destabilize this airmass, helping to support thunderstorm
development in areas of low-level confluence. Weak forcing for
ascent and vertical shear are expected to limit storm organization.
However, the degree of instability will support briefly intense
pulse-type storms capable of locally damaging wet microbursts during
the afternoon and early evening hours.

...Eastern Dakotas and western Minnesota into the lower Missouri
Valley...
A linear MCS continues to push eastward across the central Plains
this morning. A notable vorticity maximum has developed within the
northern portion of this line. Its motion appears to be more
northeasterly than the line itself, and new development is occurring
downstream of this vorticity maximum across south-central/southeast
SD and adjacent northeast NE. A corridor of relatively greater
low-level moisture (i.e. dewpoints in the low 70s) exists downstream
of this vorticity maximum and attendant MCS from eastern SD through
western IA and into northern MO. General expectation is for
thunderstorm coverage and intensity to increase later this
morning/early afternoon as the vorticity maximum/remnant MCS
interact with this moist and diurnally destabilizing airmass. Much
of this development is expected to occur along or to the immediate
cool side of the surface boundary that extends through portions of
the middle and lower MO Valley. Occasionally strong updrafts could
result in isolated hail and/or damaging gusts, but the weak
mid-level flow and associated modest deep-layer shear should limit
storm organization and contribute to clustered multicellular mode.

...Northern Plains into the northern/central High Plains...
Modest height falls may begin to impinge on northern/central High
Plains during the early evening as a low-amplitude shortwave trough
moves a belt of stronger southwesterlies just west of the region.
This modest ascent will augment low-level convergence along the lee
trough to support isolated to widely scattered thunderstorm
development where the lingering convective inhibition can be
overcome. This appears most likely across southeast WY and northeast
CO where persistent low-level easterly flow could keep dewpoints in
the 60s. High-based, outflow-dominant storms will support the
potential for isolated strong to severe gusts.

Increasing mid-level flow will support stronger deep-layer vertical
shear farther north (into eastern MT and western ND), but stronger
convective inhibition may linger, casting doubt whether storms will
initiate. If initiation is realized, storm motion could take it into
the more moist and buoyant airmass north of the surface low where
thermodynamic profiles are favorable for large to very large hail.
Will maintain 5% wind/hail probabilities but introduce a CIG1 for
hail given the conditional potential.

...Northern Great Basin into the northern Rockies...
Increasing height falls and strengthening mid/upper-level flow will
spread across the region today ahead of a vigorous shortwave trough
pivoting through the base of a Pacific Northwest upper low.
Thunderstorm development is anticipated over the higher terrain
before then progressing northeastward towards lower elevations.
Deep-layer vertical shear of 40 to 50 kt will support supercells,
with large hail as the primary severe risk. Greater buoyancy is
expected across central MT, but low-level stability will likely
persist across this region as well, potentially limiting the
severe-wind and tornado potential.

Weaker instability is forecast from northeast NV and northern UT
into central and eastern ID. However, the presence of steep lapse
rates and kinematics mentioned above may yield a few severe storms
capable of severe wind gusts.

..Mosier/Lyons.. 09/06/2026


Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC


http://dlvr.it/TVLy8r