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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.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS WEATHER
O'Hare International Airport KORD (Arlington Heights South)
Chicago Executive Airport KPWK (Arlington Heights North)

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

SPC Jul 14, 2026 1300 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

LIVE MAP (ABOVE) ... SPC 1300Z Day 1 Outlook


Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0730 AM CDT Tue Jul 14 2026

Valid 141300Z - 151200Z

...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF
NORTHERN NEW YORK AND NEW ENGLAND...

...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF
MONTANA...

...SUMMARY...
Severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds (isolated
75+ mph), large to very large hail, and tornadoes (some strong) are
expected today across parts of northern New York and New England.
Thunderstorms with scattered severe winds and isolated hail will
also be possible across portions of Montana.

...Northeast...
An active and potentially impactful severe weather event remains
apparent today across parts of the Northeast/northern New England.
Ongoing convection this morning now moving over the St. Lawrence
River in Quebec may tend to weaken as it approaches the
international border in the next couple of hours, as MUCAPE remains
quite weak at the moment with eastward extent into ME (reference the
12Z observed sounding from CAR). But if it persists, then an
isolated hail threat would be possible. In the wake of this
activity, an EML and strong mid/upper-level jet will overspread much
of the Northeast. Steepening lapse rates aloft combined with
filtered daytime heating and gradually increasing low-level moisture
advecting northeastward across the St. Lawrence River Valley will
all aid in the development of moderate to locally strong
instability. MLCAPE may peak in the 2000-3000 J/kg range by mid to
late afternoon across northern NY/VT/NH into western ME, generally
along/south of outflow from the morning convection. Strong mid-level
flow (around 50-60 kt) associated with a west-northwesterly
mid-level jet will foster similar values of effective bulk shear and
easily support organized updrafts, including the potential for
intense supercells.

Current expectations are for organized severe thunderstorms,
including a mix of clusters and supercells, to move southeastward
across southern Quebec by 19-22Z. The rather favorable thermodynamic
and kinematic environment across northern New England suggests a
significant threat for severe/damaging winds (some 75+ mph possible)
and large to very large hail (isolated 2+ inches) will exist with
this activity. While low-level flow will tend to remain from the
west-southwest, it is forecast to strengthen through the day, and
also veer strongly to north-northwesterly with height through
mid/upper levels. The resulting effective SRH appears more than
sufficient for updraft rotation, and multiple tornadoes may occur. A
narrow corridor of greater tornado potential (including strong
tornadoes) may exist this afternoon and evening across parts of
western into central ME if supercells can be maintained. Otherwise,
one or more intense clusters will likely spread east-southeastward
towards the coast through the evening while continuing to pose a
threat for scattered to numerous damaging winds and line-embedded
tornadoes.

...Montana...
A subtle mid-level shortwave trough on the western periphery of
upper ridging over the north-central CONUS will translate
northeastward through the period across the northern Rockies and
adjacent High Plains. Low-level moisture should continue to
gradually spread westward from eastern into central MT through the
day to the north of a weak surface low. The airmass from southwest
to central MT will destabilize by mid afternoon as daytime heating
occurs, and the boundary layer is forecast to become rather
well-mixed.

Large-scale ascent associated with the mid-level shortwave trough
and attendant 40-50 kt mid-level jet will support convective
development across the higher terrain of southwest MT by late
afternoon. This initial activity may pose both an isolated hail and
severe wind threat given weak instability and moderate to strong
deep-layer shear. With time, this activity should tend to cluster as
it spreads into central/eastern MT through the evening and
encounters greater low-level moisture and related instability. With
steepened low to mid-level lapse rates expected, scattered
severe/damaging winds and isolated hail appear possible with this
cluster. A Slight Risk has been included for parts of central of MT
where greater confidence exists in severe gusts occurring.

...Florida Peninsula...
Even though shear will remain weak, occasional gusty winds may occur
with the stronger thunderstorms that develop this afternoon across
parts of the FL Peninsula as low-level lapse rates gradually steepen
with daytime heating.

..Gleason/Thornton.. 07/14/2026


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