LIVE MAP (ABOVE) ... SPC 1630Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1130 AM CDT Fri Apr 10 2026
Valid 101630Z - 111200Z
...THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF
THE SOUTH-CENTRAL PLAINS/OZARKS...NORTHERN CALIFORNIA/GREAT
BASIN...AND WESTERN OREGON...
...SUMMARY...
Thunderstorms with isolated large hail and severe gusts are possible
this afternoon and evening across parts of the south-central Plains
to the Ozarks. Strong to locally severe storms may also occur from
western/northern Nevada into southeast Oregon and southwest Idaho,
and also across parts of north-central California.
...Southern High Plains/South-central Plains into the Ozarks...
Recent surface analysis places a low over the western TX Panhandle,
with a cold front extending east-northeastward from this low across
northwest and north-central OK, and far southeast KS, before
becoming oriented more northeastward across southern and central MO.
Showers and thunderstorms are ongoing in the vicinity of this
boundary, as well modest southeastward-progressing outflow, across
far southern KS and northern OK.
The cold front is forecast to trend more stationary throughout the
day as heights rise across the Plains and southerly low-level flow
persists across the southern Plains, with the outflow following this
trend as well. After 06Z, this stationary boundary will likely begin
shifting back northward into southern KS as warm front. Additional
thunderstorm development is possible amid low-level convergence near
both the stationary front and outflow as the airmass modestly
destabilizes this afternoon. Isolated damaging gusts and/or
marginally severe hail is possible with the strongest storms, but
modest shear and buoyancy suggests most storms will be sub-severe.
Farther west, low-level convergence along a sharpening lee trough
may contribute to late afternoon thunderstorm development across the
southern High Plain, particularly northeast NM. High cloud bases and
steep low-level lapse rates support the potential for strong
downbursts with any deep/more persistent updrafts. Some interaction
with the western extent of the frontal zone is possible as well,
which could briefly enhance updrafts, contributing to a continued
potential for damaging gusts as well as isolated hail.
...North-central CA/western OR into the northern Great Basin...
Upper low currently centered just off the northern/central CA coast
is forecast to become more progressive and negatively tilted
throughout the day today. Mid-level moisture and ascent attendant to
this wave will support scattered thunderstorm development this
afternoon from central/northern CA and western OR into the northern
Great Basin and interior Northwest. Cold temperatures aloft (i.e.
-20 deg C at 500 mb) and strong diurnal heating will result in steep
low/mid-level lapse rates and at least modest buoyancy across much
of the region.
A few areas (interior valley of central CA, Willamette Valley in OR,
and northern NV/southwest OR/southern ID) appear to have a slightly
higher potential for isolated strong to severe storms, largely a
result of more diurnal heating/higher afternoon temperatures.
Greater buoyancy combined with moderate/strong deep-layer shear will
support semi-organized cells/clusters, and perhaps even a few
supercells, may develop with an attendant threat of hail and
localized severe wind gusts. Deep-layer shear will be a bit weaker
across the interior valley of central CA but still sufficient for a
few organized storms. The steep lapse rate environment and local
terrain influences could also support transient cell rotation and
possibly funnels, or even a brief tornado.
..Mosier/Squitieri.. 04/10/2026
Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC
http://dlvr.it/TRzFk2
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)
Friday, April 10, 2026
SPC Apr 10, 2026 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)




















