LIVE MAP (ABOVE) ... SPC 1630Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1116 AM CDT Thu Jun 18 2026
Valid 181630Z - 191200Z
...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF
NEW ENGLAND...THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION...AND FROM THE GULF COAST
STATE INTO THE CAROLINAS....
...SUMMARY...
Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are expected from
Kentucky and the central Appalachians to the Mid-Atlantic, with
primarily damaging wind gusts or marginal hail. Scattered severe
storms are possible from upstate New York into New England, with
damaging wind gusts and tornado potential. A few tornadoes may also
occur over parts of the middle Gulf Coast states, and scattered
storms may produce gusty winds or marginal hail from Oklahoma into
western North Texas.
...NY/New England...
A fast-moving low-topped squall line is tracking eastward across NY.
Low and mid level wind fields in this region are very strong,
contributing to occasional bowing structures and QLCS mesocyclones.
This activity will spread into VT/NH through the afternoon with a
continued risk of damaging winds and isolated tornadoes. Confidence
in severe storms farther south into southern New England is lower,
but at least isolated strong/damaging wind gusts are possible.
...KY into Mid Atlantic...
A remnant outflow boundary from overnight storms extends across KY
into southern VA. Strong heating along and south of the boundary
will likely result in renewed convection this afternoon, in a zone
of moderate westerly flow aloft and CAPE values around 2000 J/kg. A
few severe storms are expected in this corridor, with activity
moving into northern NC later today. Damaging winds are the main
risk.
...Gulf Coast into Carolinas...
The remnant circulation of Arthur is becoming more progressive with
time, and is accelerating eastward. As this occurs, the zone of
relatively strong southerly low-level winds will also shift across
AL into GA and eventually SC/NC tonight. Ample low-level moisture
and high theta-e values will coincide with the region of strong
shear, and CAM solutions suggest clusters of thunderstorms in this
area as well. This suggests at least some risk of damaging wind
gusts and tornadoes through the afternoon and night as the system
moves northeastward.
...TX/OK...
Scattered thunderstorms will occasional hail risk will slowly
diminish across northern OK this afternoon. Later today, new
thunderstorms are expected to develop in a hot and very unstable air
mass in vicinity of the surface low near ABI/SJT. These slow-moving
storms will have some damaging wind and hail risk through the
evening.
..Hart/Chalmers.. 06/18/2026
Read more CHECK UPDATE ZOOM GRAPHIC
http://dlvr.it/TT689Z
Windy.com Temps | Gusts | WU KORD KPWK |
CLICK for this month's BIG night sky ... | RADAR FULL MAP SCREEN |
|---|
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)
Thursday, June 18, 2026
SPC Jun 18, 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)




















