


Severe Storm Outlook Narrative (AC)
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
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697 ACUS01 KWNS 031949 SWODY1 SPC AC 031947 Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0247 PM CDT Sun Aug 03 2025 Valid 032000Z - 041200Z ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN HIGH PLAINS... ...SUMMARY... Large to very large hail and severe wind gusts will be possible late this afternoon through the evening over parts of the central/southern High Plains. ...20z Update... The previous forecast remains on track with no changes required. Latest GOES imagery and surface observations show gradual clearing and warming across the TX/OK Panhandles in the wake of prior convection. An 18z AMA sounding sampled the eastern fringe of an EML/steep mid-level lapse rates and 30-40 knot mid-level flow, but showed substantial low/mid-level inhibition even when adjusting for recent temperature trends. This continues to cast uncertainty regarding storm coverage and intensity through the evening hours, though recent CAM solutions maintain that at least a few cells and/or clusters will migrate across the Slight risk area later today/tonight. Further north, early signs of convective development are noted across northwest KS into western NE/SD where stronger heating should foster thunderstorm development, though weaker forcing for ascent and deep-layer wind shear should limit overall storm coverage and intensity. A cluster of thunderstorms that recently moved through the Dallas/Fort-Worth metro area has shown signs of weakening per GOES IR and MRMS imagery. This trend is expected to continue as storms migrate into a more weakly sheared environment downstream. See the previous discussion below for additional details as well as MCD #1877 for short-term details pertaining to the Pacific Northwest severe risk. ..Moore.. 08/03/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1129 AM CDT Sun Aug 03 2025/ ...Southern Plains... Late morning radar/satellite imagery shows a sub-severe, decaying MCS over the TX-OK Red River Valley. Incipient outflow and cloud cover has cast considerable uncertainty on storm coverage late today/tonight across the eastern portion of the outlook area in the southern Plains. It seems likely based on midday observational trends that a reduction in severe probabilities is warranted across parts of eastern OK into northeast TX. The airmass sampled within wake of the strongest influence of the cold pool by the 12 UTC Dodge City, KS raob showed meager buoyancy. As a result, a westward shift of some of the severe probabilities was done for this outlook update. An upstream disturbance over northwest KS is forecast to move southeast into central OK by late this evening. Strong heating will likely focus near the NM/TX north-south border into southeast CO. Models show isolated to widely scattered storm development late this afternoon into the evening over the TX South Plains into southeast CO. Steep mid-level lapse rates coupled with veering/strengthening winds with height will support a supercell risk. Large to very large hail is possible. There is some indication in the models that a cluster may evolve during the evening/overnight across parts of west/northwest TX and a lingering hail/wind threat could continue with this activity. Models still show some possibility for elevated storms farther east in the Red River Valley region during the overnight. Marginal hail/wind could accompany this activity. ...Central High Plains... No change was made to this portion of the outlook and previous forecast thinking supporting a marginal risk (level 1/5) seems appropriate. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible later this afternoon near a weak area of low pressure/lee trough. Moderate buoyancy will support a few vigorous updrafts, but vertical shear is forecast to be weak, thereby limiting storm organization and longevity. Isolated hail and severe wind gusts are possible with the stronger storms. ...Northwest... A mid-level trough evident in morning water-vapor imagery west of the CA/OR coast will continue migrating east into northern CA/OR by tonight. Adequate moisture and steep mid-level lapse rates coupled with ascent will facilitate the development of widely scattered to scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Modest deep-layer shear will probably support some organization to convective outflow as storms and especially outflow increase in coverage by early this evening. Evaporatively cooled downdrafts and outflow will potentially yield a risk for severe gusts. $$