Storms

Day 1 Convective Outlook  
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0755 AM CDT Fri Sep 04 2026

Valid 041300Z - 051200Z

...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM THE SOUTHERN
GREAT LAKES INTO THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES...

...SUMMARY...
A couple of organized clusters of thunderstorms may develop across
the southern Great Lakes and mid/upper Ohio Valley today through
tonight, accompanied by the risk for damaging wind gusts.  More
widely scattered strong thunderstorms east of the Blue Ridge may
also pose potential for damaging wind gusts this afternoon and
evening.

...Southern Great Lakes into Mid Atlantic...
Early-morning satellite imagery shows a deep cyclone over the
Pacific Northwest and upper ridging covering the majority of the
CONUS east of the Rockies. A belt of enhanced mid-level flow
persists between these two features, arcing anticyclonically from
southern CA through the central Rockies and northern Plains into the
Upper Midwest/Upper Great Lakes and eventually through the
Northeast. Recent surface analysis shows a reservoir of low-level
moisture beneath the upper ridging, to the south and east of this
belt of stronger mid-level flow. Much of this area is void of
notable surface features, but a weak front does extend from southern
New England through southern NY, central Lower MI, and central WI to
a weak low over southern MN. A large cluster of showers and
thunderstorms to the south of this front from southern WI into
southern Lower MI. This cluster, which was initiated by warm-air
advection across MN and WI is forecast to continue southeastward
today, likely encountering a diurnally destabilized airmass.

The steeper mid-level lapse rates will remain displaced west of this
region, but ample low-level moisture (i.e. upper 60s/low 70s
dewpoints) coupled with afternoon temperatures from the mid 80s to
mid 90s will still support moderate to strong buoyancy. As such,
reintensification and/or new development is anticipated as the
ongoing cluster continues southeastward. Much of this region will be
on the southern fringe of the stronger deep-layer shear, with bowing
line segments as the predominant storm mode. The best overlap
between buoyancy and shear is expected across central and eastern
OH, where a corridor of greater potential for damaging gusts exists.


The threat for damaging gusts will extend into the Mid-Atlantic this
afternoon and evening amid a very warm and moist airmass. Vertical
shear will be weak, but ample moisture (i.e. PW values from 1.8" to
2"), strong buoyancy, and steep low-level lapse rates will support
the potential for strong outflow capable of wind damage. Bowing line
segments will be the primary storm mode here as well.

...Central Plains...
Weak lee troughing could contribute to modest low-level convergence 
from western KS across western/central NE into southwest SD.
Dewpoints will likely be in the low to mid 60s within this
convergence zone, and steep mid-level lapse rates will contribute to
moderate/strong buoyancy. Even so, warm mid-levels may prevent the
airmass from completely destabilizing. The remaining convective
inhibition, coupled with the presence of large-scale height rises
across the region, casts doubt to whether successful convective
initiation will occur. Any mature updrafts could result in strong
downdraft, but uncertainty is too high to introduce any
probabilities with this outlook.

..Mosier/Lyons.. 09/04/2026