May 26, 2019 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook
Updated: Sun May 26 19:56:37 UTC 2019 (20190526 2000Z Day 1 shapefile | 20190526 2000Z Day 1 KML)
Probabilistic to Categorical Outlook Conversion Table
Public Severe Weather Outlook

The SPC is forecasting ...Severe thunderstorms expected over parts of the central High Plains this afternoon and tonight....   Please read the latest public statement about this event.  View What is a Watch? clip.

Categorical Graphic
20190526 2000 UTC Day 1 Outlook Graphic
Day 1 Risk Area (sq. mi.) Area Pop. Some Larger Population Centers in Risk Area
MODERATE 43,654 530,929 Amarillo, TX...Garden City, KS...Liberal, KS...Hereford, TX...Dumas, TX...
ENHANCED 70,898 676,569 Salina, KS...Clovis, NM...Kearney, NE...Dodge City, KS...Hastings, NE...
SLIGHT 249,495 33,099,346 Philadelphia, PA...Baltimore, MD...Denver, CO...Washington, DC...Wichita, KS...
MARGINAL 265,067 23,292,687 Columbus, OH...Kansas City, MO...Virginia Beach, VA...Omaha, NE...Colorado Springs, CO...
Probabilistic Tornado Graphic
20190526 2000 UTC Day 1 Tornado Probabilities Graphic
Probability of a tornado within 25 miles of a point.
Hatched Area: 10% or greater probability of EF2 - EF5 tornadoes within 25 miles of a point.
Day 1 Tornado Risk Area (sq. mi.) Area Pop. Some Larger Population Centers in Risk Area
SIG SEVERE 37,156 512,112 Amarillo, TX...Garden City, KS...Liberal, KS...Hereford, TX...Dumas, TX...
15 % 20,997 118,399 Garden City, KS...Lamar, CO...
10 % 37,476 508,659 Amarillo, TX...Dodge City, KS...Liberal, KS...Hays, KS...Hereford, TX...
5 % 60,787 669,123 Salina, KS...Grand Island, NE...Clovis, NM...Kearney, NE...Hastings, NE...
2 % 96,491 4,973,688 Denver, CO...Omaha, NE...Aurora, CO...Lincoln, NE...Lubbock, TX...
Probabilistic Damaging Wind Graphic
20190526 2000 UTC Day 1 Damaging Wind Probabilities Graphic
Probability of damaging thunderstorm winds or wind gusts of 50 knots or higher within 25 miles of a point.
Hatched Area: 10% of greater probability of wind gusts 65 knots or greater within 25 miles of a point.
Day 1 Wind Risk Area (sq. mi.) Area Pop. Some Larger Population Centers in Risk Area
45 % 20,118 140,766 Garden City, KS...Hays, KS...
30 % 73,351 945,519 Amarillo, TX...Salina, KS...Kearney, NE...Dodge City, KS...Hastings, NE...
15 % 245,577 32,909,908 Philadelphia, PA...Baltimore, MD...Denver, CO...Washington, DC...Wichita, KS...
5 % 258,048 23,300,310 Columbus, OH...Kansas City, MO...Virginia Beach, VA...Omaha, NE...Colorado Springs, CO...
Probabilistic Large Hail Graphic
20190526 2000 UTC Day 1 Large Hail Probabilities Graphic
Probability of hail 1" or larger within 25 miles of a point.
Hatched Area: 10% or greater probability of hail 2" or larger within 25 miles of a point.
Day 1 Hail Risk Area (sq. mi.) Area Pop. Some Larger Population Centers in Risk Area
SIG SEVERE 81,821 1,154,472 Lubbock, TX...Amarillo, TX...Clovis, NM...Hobbs, NM...Garden City, KS...
45 % 43,432 531,774 Amarillo, TX...Garden City, KS...Liberal, KS...Hereford, TX...Dumas, TX...
30 % 34,582 276,220 Clovis, NM...Dodge City, KS...Plainview, TX...Pampa, TX...Portales, NM...
15 % 226,770 32,223,426 Philadelphia, PA...Baltimore, MD...Denver, CO...Washington, DC...Cincinnati, OH...
5 % 293,674 21,844,274 Columbus, OH...Virginia Beach, VA...Omaha, NE...Colorado Springs, CO...Wichita, KS...
   SPC AC 261956

   Day 1 Convective Outlook  
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   0256 PM CDT Sun May 26 2019

   Valid 262000Z - 271200Z

   ...THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE
   CENTRAL HIGH PLAINS...

   ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM THE OH VALLEY
   TO THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC...

   ...SUMMARY...
   Severe thunderstorms are likely through tonight across much of the
   central Plains and southern High Plains, with all aspects of severe
   weather expected. Additional severe thunderstorms are possible
   through this evening across portions of the Ohio Valley to the
   Mid-Atlantic, accompanied by a risk for severe wind and hail.

   ...Discussion...

   Minor changes have been made to OH Valley severe probabilities.
   Cluster of deep convection has evolved ahead of a progressive
   short-wave trough over southern IN/KY. Remnant MCV appears to be
   located near BMG and this feature should encourage convection
   downstream into the early evening hours. Subsidence in the wake of
   this short wave warrants reduced severe probabilities and this is
   reflected in 20z outlook.

   ..Darrow.. 05/26/2019

   .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1127 AM CDT Sun May 26 2019/

   ...High Plains this afternoon into tonight...
   Downstream from a deep closed low digging south-southeastward along
   the CA coast, a lead shortwave trough over southern AZ will eject
   northeastward to the central High Plains by late evening.  In
   response, lee cyclogenesis will occur across CO, as a diffuse warm
   front (reinforced by overnight convection) moves northward across
   western KS.  Richer low-level moisture will be drawn northward from
   the TX Panhandle into western KS/eastern CO, beneath an elevated
   mixed layer plume.  Strong buoyancy (MLCAPE at or above 3000 J/kg)
   is expected this afternoon south of the warm front and east of a
   developing dryline across the High Plains.

   Surface heating/mixing, as well as ascent preceding the ejecting
   midlevel trough, will support thunderstorm development along the
   dryline by mid afternoon from extreme northeast NM into eastern CO
   along the dryline.  An increase in low-level shear later this
   afternoon/evening, within the unstable/moist environment, will be
   supportive of supercells capable of producing tornadoes (a few of
   which could be strong) and very large hail.  The storm evolution by
   late afternoon/evening could become more complex with storm
   interactions and upscale growth possible, especially near the warm
   front along the KS/CO border, though eventual consolidation of
   storms may also occur farther south along the dryline near and after
   sunset.  The convection is expected to persist overnight across
   KS/NE, with the threat for damaging gusts and a few tornadoes with
   embedded circulations, and storms could reach western IA near the
   end of the period with at least a marginal wind threat.  

   ...OH Valley to Mid-Atlantic through early tonight...
   A somewhat diffuse MCV and remnant convection are moving over
   western PA as of midday will continue eastward/east-southeastward
   over southern PA/northern VA/MD this afternoon.  Destabilization in
   advance of this subtle wave will support at least isolated storm
   development this afternoon, in an environment with straight
   hodographs (effective bulk shear 35-40 kt) and moderate buoyancy
   (MLCAPE near 1500 J/kg).  Damaging gusts and large hail will be the
   main threats.

   Farther west, a more pronounced shortwave trough near Saint Louis as
   of mid morning will progress eastward over the OH Valley through the
   afternoon and evening.  Moderate buoyancy will be present this
   afternoon in advance of the shortwave trough, along the synoptic
   front from southern IL across southern IN into OH, as well as a
   weakening outflow boundary from northern WV into northern KY. 
   Additional storm development is expected along these boundaries and
   in advance of the midlevel trough, with damaging gusts/large hail
   expected with storm clusters/embedded supercells.  The storm
   clusters could persist into late evening/early tonight while moving
   east of the Appalachians.

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   NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 1 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 0100Z