LIVE MAP (ABOVE) ... SPC 1630Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1123 AM CDT Wed Jul 23 2025
Valid 231630Z - 241200Z
...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF
THE NORTHERN HIGH PLAINS...AND NEBRASKA INTO THE UPPER GREAT
LAKES...
...SUMMARY...
Scattered severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds
and potentially a tornado risk are possible across the Upper
Midwest, mainly this afternoon and evening. Large hail may occur
with supercells late today across parts of the northern High Plains.
...Mid Missouri Valley into the Upper Midwest/Great Lakes...
Visible satellite/radar composite shows scattered thunderstorms late
this morning from eastern SD into western WI, generally near and
east of a surface low analyzed near the SD/MN border. A cold front
extending from northern MN southwestward into the central High
Plains will continue east-southeastward and provide a focus for
additional storm development this afternoon/evening. Due in part to
appreciable convection this morning and its related airmass
influence across the Upper Midwest, uncertainty remains regarding
the evolution of midday thunderstorm clusters and their associated
severe risk this afternoon as the airmass immediately east/southeast
of this activity continues to destabilize.
A plume of richer low-level moisture (surface dewpoints in the mid
70s F) extends northward from the mid MS Valley into the upper MS
Valley. Model guidance maintains a belt of moderate southwesterly
800-650 mb flow (30-35 kt) across the MN/IA/WI vicinity with
slightly weaker flow indicated in the upper troposphere. The
resultant hodograph structure should promote more linear
configurations of storms. Models show the development of a more
southwest-northeast oriented convective band later this afternoon
across this region, which may subdue otherwise greater potential for
severe gusts (being not oriented orthogonal to the mean wind in
800-650 mb layer), given the development of a very unstable boundary
layer in areas void of convective overturning.
Scattered severe/damaging winds appear to be the primary severe
hazard but a tornado or two is possible, especially across MN into
the WI vicinity. Storms are likely to develop farther southwest
along the front in NE but weaker shear with south extent will limit
the overall convective organization. However, severe gusts will
probably occur with the more intense cores and surges with a linear
band of storms through the evening before this activity gradually
weakens.
...Northern/Central High Plains...
No change was made to this portion of the outlook. A
moist/post-frontal environment will favor scattered storm
development later this afternoon. Relatively long/straight
hodographs at mid/upper levels from the Black Hills into northeast
WY will promote supercell development with the stronger updrafts.
Large hail and severe gusts will be the primary hazards. Farther
south, weaker flow will result in less organized storm modes, but
isolated severe gusts/hail may occur with the stronger storms
through early-mid evening.
..Smith/Supinie.. 07/23/2025
Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC
http://dlvr.it/TM4cfC
Windy.com Temps | Gusts | WU KORD KPWK |
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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.
CONVECTIVE | TORNADO | WIND | HAIL
O'Hare International Airport KORD
(Arlington Heights South)
Chicago Executive Airport KPWK
(Arlington Heights North)
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
SPC Jul 23, 2025 1630 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook
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)
CHICAGO UTC-6 during CST (Central Standard Time, e.g., winter)
CHICAGO UTC-5 during CDT (Daylight Savings Time, e.g., summer)