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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)

Thursday, February 26, 2026

SPC Feb 26, 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
0655 AM CST Thu Feb 26 2026

Valid 261300Z - 271200Z

...THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM THE
ARKLAMISS TO NORTH-CENTRAL ALABAMA...

...SUMMARY...
Isolated severe storms capable of hail will be possible from the
ArkLaMiss into north-central Alabama, mostly from mid-afternoon
through early/mid-evening.

...Deep South including ArkLaMiss to north-central Alabama...
Increasingly cyclonic flow aloft is expected as trough amplification
occurs with a shortwave trough spreading southeastward across the
south-central Plains, toward the Ozarks/ArkLaTex this evening, and
the lower Mississippi Valley late tonight. A plume of relatively
steep mid-level lapse rates will similarly advect southeastward atop
a modestly moist air mass to the south of a southward-spreading
front regionally. While southwesterly winds in the lowest 2-3 km AGL
will be modest-strength and tend to weaken over time, strong
mid/high-level winds will yield 40+ kt effective shear, supporting
the potential for severe storms including some supercells as storms
develop and intensify through mid/late afternoon. Severe hail is
expected to be the primary hazard.

..Guyer/Grams.. 02/26/2026


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