RSS Mesoscale Discussions from Storm Prediction Center
SPC 1200Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1250 AM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026
Valid 141200Z - 151200Z
...THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PORTIONS
OF THE MIDWEST...
...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE CENTRAL
TO SOUTHERN PLAINS AND PARTS OF THE NORTHEAST...
...SUMMARY...
Severe thunderstorms are expected this afternoon through tonight
from the southern Plains to the Great Lakes. Large to very large
hail, a few tornadoes (some strong), and damaging wind gusts will be
possible, particularly across parts of eastern Iowa, northern
Illinois, and southern Wisconsin. Additional severe storms, mainly
producing strong wind gusts, will be possible across parts of the
Northeast this afternoon.
...Synopsis...
An upper wave is evident in recent water-vapor imagery across the
southern Great Basin. This trough will translate east into the
Plains through today, reaching the Great Lakes region by tonight.
This will support slight deepening of a diffuse surface low analyzed
over the central High Plains as it drifts east towards the lower MO
River Valley. Ahead of the low, an expansive warm sector
(characterized by widespread mid to upper 60s dewpoints) remains in
place from the southern Plains northeastward into the upper MS
Valley region. Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected along a
composite outflow boundary/warm front from eastern IA into southern
WI/northern IL as well as along a dryline draped from eastern KS
into OK and TX. Further east, a mid-level wave associated with
ongoing convection over the Great Lakes will support
re-intensification/re-development of strong/severe storms across the
Northeast.
...Midwest...
An outflow boundary emanating from the ongoing MCS across the Great
Lakes will likely be draped across the Midwest early this morning.
This boundary is forecast to drift northward within a southerly flow
regime as an effective warm front ahead of the approaching surface
low and upper wave. Latest guidance generally depicts this boundary
stalling across eastern IA into southern WI by late afternoon when
daytime heating and ascent ahead of the upper wave will erode
inhibition and promote convective initiation along the boundary.
Dewpoints in the mid to upper 60s coupled with steep mid-level lapse
rates (already noted in upstream 00z RAOBs) will support MLCAPE
values near 2500 J/kg by late afternoon. Moderate buoyancy combined
with 45-55 knots of effective bulk shear will be highly favorable
for organized convection. Capping at the base of the EML should
initially limit thunderstorm coverage and favor discrete supercells
along the boundary. In addition to very large hail (possibly up to
2-3 inches in diameter), enhanced low-level SRH along the boundary
may support a corridor of locally higher tornado potential,
including the potential for significant tornadoes. With time,
easterly storm motions along the boundary will promote upscale
growth with an increasing wind threat heading into the late evening
hours.
The primary uncertainty will be the location of the boundary by late
afternoon. 30% hail and 10% tornado probabilities were adjusted to
reflect the most likely placement of the boundary based on a
consensus of guidance; however, exact placement of the boundary will
be conditional on the precise evolution of the morning MCS.
Similarly, how quickly upscale growth occurs after initiation may
modulate the duration of the significant hail/tornado threat.
...Kansas into Oklahoma and Texas...
Modest height falls across the central to southern Plains combined
with weak convergence along the dryline will likely support isolated
to perhaps scattered thunderstorms from eastern KS southward into TX
this afternoon. Consensus among latest HREF/REFS guidance is that
initiation is most probable across northwest TX into central OK -
possibly ahead of a subtle mid-level wave, though in reality the
unfocused nature of the broad-scale ascent suggests that initiation
will be possible anywhere along the dryline where low-level
convergence can be maximized. Regardless, ample buoyancy within the
warm sector (2500-3000 J/kg MLCAPE sampled in evening RAOBs) coupled
with 30-40 knots of effective bulk shear will support supercells
with an attendant threat for large hail (possibly exceeding 2 inches
in diameter). Some tornado threat will likely materialize around and
after 00 UTC as the nocturnal jet strengthens and enlarges low-level
hodographs.
...Northeast...
A low-amplitude upper wave associated with an ongoing MCS across the
Great Lakes will migrate eastward towards the Northeast through the
day. Residual convection associated with the MCS may linger through
morning before re-intensifying by early afternoon as daytime heating
supports steepening low-level lapse rates and increasing MLCAPE
values (likely up to the 500-1000 J/kg range). While buoyancy will
likely remain weak, 35-40 knot bulk shear through the CAPE-bearing
layer and focused ascent ahead of a low-amplitude upper wave will
likely support organization of convective bands with an attendant
threat for strong to severe winds.
..Moore/Wendt.. 04/14/2026
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