Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1131 AM CDT Tue May 05 2026
Valid 051630Z - 061200Z
...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CENTERED OVER
ARKANSAS AND EXTENDING FROM NORTHEAST TEXAS INTO WESTERN
TENNESSEE...
...SUMMARY...
Widely scattered severe storms are possible this afternoon through
this evening from north Texas, much of Arkansas, and into western
Tennessee. Large to very large hail, severe gusts, and a few
tornadoes are possible.
...Northeast TX into the Mid-South...
Radar mosaic shows an MCV moving east across far western KY with a
band of weak thunderstorms extending south and west across western
TN. Convective outflow associated with the showers/thunderstorms
extends from east-west near I-40 across AR into eastern OK where it
intersects a triple point over central OK. A cold front is draped
southwest to northeast along the I-44 corridor from western north TX
northeastward into the Ozarks.
Visible-satellite imagery late this morning shows extensive cloud
cover from northeast TX northeastward into AR and the lower OH
Valley. A plume of richer moisture at the surface is denoted by mid
to upper 60s deg F dewpoints protruding north from east-central TX
into north TX and southeast OK. Further moistening of low levels
via southerly return flow is forecast beneath a capping inversion
around 850 mb sampled by the 12 UTC Forth Worth, TX raob.
Gradual boundary layer heating will result in surface temperatures
warming into the upper 80s over north TX with muted heating farther
northeast over AR where persistent cloud cover will inhibit stronger
heating. Model guidance shows MLCAPE ranging from 500-1500 J/kg
from northeast AR southwestward into southwest AR, and upwards of
3000 J/kg MLCAPE across north TX by mid-late afternoon. Convergence
along the front will be modest and large-scale height rises are
anticipated. However, thinning clouds near the OK/AR border and the
erosion of convective inhibition as convective temperatures are
breached over north TX will result in isolated to scattered storms
developing during 20-23 UTC period. Initial supercell mode is
forecast over north TX with some clustering expected during the
evening. The tornado risk over north TX will likely be limited by
relatively weak low-level shear but strong mid to high-level flow
will promote large to very large hail growth (1 to 3 inches in
diameter). Farther northeast, isolated to scattered storms are
forecast to develop east of the eastward-migrating surface low and
near the front by the mid-late afternoon. HRRR time-lagged runs
this morning show a few supercells with one more longer track storms
moving developing and moving east across central AR in a larger SRH
environment. An all hazards severe risk may accompany the stronger
storms in AR beginning later this afternoon and possibly persisting
through the evening as this activity moves east towards the MS
River. A strong tornado is possible with a sustained discrete
supercell. Upscale growth into a cluster or band of storms is
expected as moderately strong southwesterly 850 to 700-mb flow is
maintained across the Mid South. Damaging gusts and perhaps a
lingering tornado risk will possibly spread east tonight before
storms weaken late.
...Lower Great Lakes into northern New England...
A marginally moist airmass will advect northeastward into the Lower
Great Lakes and Northeast ahead of an eastward-moving cold front,
with low 50s dewpoints likely reaching as far north as ME. This
low-level moisture coupled with afternoon temperatures in the 70s
will support modest buoyancy, despite poor lapse rates.
Thunderstorms are anticipated along and ahead of the
eastward-progressing front as it moves into the destabilized airmass
from the Lower Great Lakes into northern ME.
Strong deep-layer vertical will be in place, supported by relatively
deep southwesterly flow, suggesting the potential for organized
storms. However, this flow will be largely parallel to the
boundary, with linear structures favored. Damaging gusts will be
possible with the strongest storms, although transient updraft
strength should keep the overall coverage and intensity modest.
Isolated hail is possible with a few storms as well. Predominantly
linear mode should keep the tornado risk low, although a
low-probability threat still exists, particularly if a pocket of
strong buoyancy can develop across Upstate NY.
..Smith/Squitieri.. 05/05/2026
Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC
http://dlvr.it/TSNpjf
