Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0800 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026
Valid 250100Z - 251200Z
...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF
THE ARK-LA-TEX...
...SUMMARY...
A severe threat will continue this evening from the southern Plains,
into the Ark-La-Tex and Lower Mississippi Valley. Large hail, wind
damage and a couple tornadoes will be possible. The strongest of
storms could produce hailstones greater than 2 inches in diameter.
...Southern Plains/Ark-La-Tex/Lower Mississippi Valley...
A mid-level shortwave trough is evident on water vapor over the
Ark-La-Tex this evening. Ahead of the trough, a cluster of strong to
severe thunderstorms is ongoing from near the Red River
northeastward across far southeast Oklahoma into western Arkansas.
This cluster is located at the northern end of an axis of strong
instability, with the RAP showing MLCAPE near the instability axis
in the 2500 to 3500 J/kg range. In this area, RAP forecast soundings
also show steep mid-level lapse rates, exceeding 7.5 C/km. In
addition to this favorable thermodynamic environment, a low to
mid-level speed max is evident over the Ark-La-Tex, where flow is
westerly at 45 to 50 knots. This is creating moderate to strong
deep-layer shear, which will continue to be favorable for severe
storms this evening. Cells that can remain semi-descrete will could
be supercellar and have potential for large to very large hail.
Hailstones greater than 2 inches in diameter will be possible with
the more intense storms. The large hail threat should persist for a
few more hours as the cluster interacts with the strong instability
over the Ark-La-Tex. Supercells could also be associated with a
wind-damage and tornado threat.
The cluster of storms is expected to gradually organize into a
linear MCS, moving east-southeastward into the lower Mississippi
Valley during the mid to late evening. Severe wind gusts will become
the primary threat as the line segment develops. A couple of QLCS
tornadoes will be possible as well. The severe threat may persist
into the early overnight period...See MCD 521 and 523.
..Broyles.. 04/25/2026
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