Severe Storm Outlook Narrative (AC)
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
917 ACUS03 KWNS 270701 SWODY3 SPC AC 270700 Day 3 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0200 AM CDT Mon Jul 27 2026 Valid 291200Z - 301200Z ...THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN THE SOUTHEAST AND NORTHERN AND CENTRAL HIGH PLAINS... ...SUMMARY... Isolated severe storms capable of mainly damaging winds appear possible in the Southeast and northern and central High Plains Wednesday afternoon into evening. ...Synopsis... A short-wave trough will move through the Canadian Prairie Provinces, effectively flattening the northern extension of the upper ridge in those areas. There is some model signal for a lower-latitude disturbance to progress from the northern Rockies into the northern High Plains. Elsewhere, an upper low over the Mid-Atlantic will evolve into an open wave with the broader-scale trough slowly shifting east. At the surface, a cool front will settle south through the Southeast, while a lee trough deepens over the northern High Plains. ...Southeast... A hot and very moist air mass is expected ahead of the front, with moderate to strong instability developing by afternoon. The models suggest the stronger mid-level winds and resultant vertical shear will be displaced to the north of the frontal zone, which should limit the organizational potential of the storms developing along the boundary. Nonetheless, the degree of instability and high precipitable water content will favor locally intense wet microbursts capable of damaging winds, especially with any storm clusters that may evolve. ...Northern and central High Plains... A hot and deeply mixed boundary layer is forecast east of the lee trough Wednesday afternoon with steep low/mid-level lapse rates contributing to moderate instability. Diurnally enhanced storm coverage along the boundary remains uncertain due to the absence of any appreciable forcing mechanisms, except perhaps the weak disturbance mentioned above. Nonetheless, the presence of the steep lapse rates and latent cooling potential in the sub-cloud layer suggests a threat for severe wind gusts and perhaps large hail with any storms that develop. ..Mead.. 07/27/2026 $$