LIVE MAP (ABOVE) ... SPC 1200Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1238 AM CDT Tue Mar 10 2026
Valid 101200Z - 111200Z
...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM NORTHERN
MISSOURI...ACROSS NORTHERN ILLINOIS INTO NORTHWEST INDIANA. AN
ENHANCED RISK IS ALSO FORECAST ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE TEXAS
PLAINS...
...SUMMARY...
Scattered severe thunderstorms are forecast on Tuesday from the
southern Plains into the southern Great Lakes vicinity. All severe
hazards are possible, including the risk for a few strong tornadoes
and very large hail.
...Southern Great Lakes...
Strong northern stream will gradually sag south across the northern
Rockies as a short-wave trough ejects across MT/WY. This feature is
forecast to advance into the eastern portion of the northern Plains
by 11/12z as a 90+kt 500mb speed max translates across northwest IA
into southern MN. Late timing of this feature is not particularly
conducive for assisting daytime convection downstream across
northern IL/IN region, as height falls will lag until the latter
half of the period. Even so, latest model guidance suggests a weak
surface low will evolve along the front and track across northern MO
into northwest IL by early evening, then toward southern Lake MI by
midnight.
Boundary-layer heating should prove instrumental in destabilization
ahead of the surface low and forecast soundings suggest convective
temperatures may be breached after 21z from northern MO into
northern IL. Strong deep-layer shear favors supercell development
and this activity will spread east, along/south of a warm front that
should extend across northern IL into southern MI. Temperature
gradient across this boundary will be sharp so any supercells that
spread north of the wind shift will quickly become elevated and pose
mainly a hail risk. Environmental conditions south of the front
should be characterized by MLCAPE in excess of 2500 J/kg with strong
0-3km SRH. Tornadoes and large hail are certainly possible with
warm-sector supercells. Parameters favor the potential for strong
tornadoes. This activity will spread east during the overnight
hours, possibly as far east as portions of northeast OH, as westerly
flow strengthens across this portion of the Great Lakes.
...Southern Plains...
Strong upper low is clearly evident on water-vapor imagery over the
central Baja Peninsula early this morning. This low is ejecting
east-northeast in line with latest model guidance and should advance
into north central Mexico by 18z, then into far west TX by early
evening as it begins to open up. Strong boundary layer heating will
be noted across northeast Mexico, north along the TX/NM border into
western KS. As a result, steep 0-3km lapse rates will develop ahead
of the approaching trough. Leading edge of large-scale ascent should
overspread the dry line around 21z and supercells should quickly
evolve as midlevel temperatures will cool quickly immediately ahead
of the trough. Very large hail is possible with initial supercell
development before strong forcing encourages a more linear evolution
and possible elongated MCS. Strong winds may accompany this squall
line.
Latest model guidance also suggests a weak disturbance may eject
well ahead of the primary low into south central TX. Deep convection
is possible ahead of this feature, but the primary concern will be
some hail and gusts.
..Darrow/Lyons.. 03/10/2026
Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC
http://dlvr.it/TRPJjC
Windy.com Temps | Gusts | WU KORD KPWK |
CLICK for this month's BIG night sky ... | RADAR FULL MAP SCREEN |
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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)
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
SPC Mar 10, 2026 0600 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)




















