Severe Weather Outlook

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Outlook for Wednesday, May 20

Outlook Images

any severe predictability too low

Note on Medium Range Outlooks

You are looking at an outlook that is part of the medium range forecast (the outlook for days 4-8). The most important thing to note is that lack of a risk does not mean zero risk. Generally speaking, confidence has to be pretty high for the Storm Prediction Center to have an outlook area this far into the future.

When no specific risk areas are shown, you might see one of these phrases:

Predictability Too Low: This means that severe storms might be possible, but forecasters aren't confident enough about where or when they might occur. Think of it as the models showing different possibilities, like pieces of a puzzle that haven't come together yet.
Potential Too Low: This means forecasters are fairly confident that widespread severe weather is NOT expected on that day. While isolated storms might still occur, the chance of reaching severe criteria across any given area is very low.

If you bookmark this page, it will continue to update with each new outlook that is issued.

Days Covered in this Outlook

Day 4	Saturday, May 16	15%
Day 5	Sunday, May 17	15%
Day 6	Monday, May 18	15%
Day 7	Tuesday, May 19	predictability too low
Day 8	Wednesday, May 20	predictability too low

Detailed Outlook

ZCZC SPCSWOD48 ALL ACUS48 KWNS 130857 SPC AC 130857

Day 4-8 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0357 AM CDT Wed May 13 2026

Valid 161200Z - 211200Z

DISCUSSION

Saturday/Day 4 to Monday/Day 6

At mid-levels, a shortware trough will move eastward across the western U.S. on Saturday, as flow becomes west-southwesterly over much of the central U.S. In response, moisture advection is forecast to increase over the central U.S. as a pocket of 65 to 70 F dewpoints moves northward into the lower and mid Missouri Valley. A dryline is forecast on the western edge of the moist airmass. Isolated to scattered storms appear likely to initiate to the east of the dryline in the afternoon. Additional storms may form eastward across the lower to mid Missouri Valley. Moderate deep-layer shear is forecast over the instability axis, which should support a potential for supercells with large hail and severe wind gusts.

On Sunday, an upper-level trough is forecast to develop over the western U.S. Mid-level flow is expected to become southwesterly over the Great Plains, where model forecasts show a surge of low-level moisture. In response, surface dewpoints are forecast to increase into the mid to upper 60s F over much of the north-central U.S. A series of subtle shortwave troughs moving through the Great Plains will likely support scattered to numerous thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. The greatest severe threat may develop over eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, along the northern edge of a low-level jet. A potential for supercells with large hail, wind damage and a tornado threat is expected.

On Monday, the upper-level trough is forecast to move across the Intermountain West, as multiple shortwave impulses move northeastward across the Great Plains. A cold front is forecast to move southeastward across the central U.S. Ahead of the front, surface dewpoints in the lower to mid 70s F are forecast to be in place by afternoon. In response, strong instability is expected to develop in parts of the moist airmass. In addition, a mid-level jet is forecast to eject northeastward across the central U.S. Moderate to strong deep-layer shear associated with the jet will support a potential for severe storms across a broad area from the southern Plains northeastward into the Upper Midwest. Supercells and bowing line segments with large hail, severe wind gusts and tornadoes will be possible.

Tuesday/Day 7 and Wednesday/Day 8

On Tuesday and Wednesday, a cold front is forecast to move from the Upper Midwest southeastward into the Appalachians. A moist and unstable airmass will likely be in place ahead of the front, with scattered to numerous thunderstorms likely developing each afternoon and evening. The greatest severe threat could materialize over the mid Mississippi and lower Ohio Valley on Tuesday, and in the Northeast on Wednesday, adjacent to a mid-level jet passing through. However, uncertainty is substantial at this time concerning the timing of the upper-level trough and cold front.

..Broyles.. 05/13/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS48 PTSD48 PRODUCT

National Risk Overview

Wednesday, May 13: TORNADO: low; HAIL: 5%; WIND: 15%
Thursday, May 14: TORNADO: low; HAIL: 15%; WIND: 15%
Friday, May 15: ANY SEVERE: 15%
Saturday, May 16: ANY SEVERE: 15%
Sunday, May 17: ANY SEVERE: 15%
Monday, May 18: ANY SEVERE: 15%
Tuesday, May 19: ANY SEVERE: predictability too low
Wednesday, May 20: ANY SEVERE: predictability too low

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