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National Severe Weather Outlook for the next week

Here you'll find all available severe weather outlooks on one page.

Overview of the threat for the next few days

Monday, August 24
Tuesday, August 25
Wednesday, August 26
Thursday, August 27
Friday, August 28
Saturday, August 29
Sunday, August 30
Monday, August 31

Outlook for Monday, August 24

Outlook Summary

Severe thunderstorms capable of producing large hail and severe wind gusts will be possible this afternoon and evening across parts of the Upper Midwest as well as the central High Plains. Other severe thunderstorms with mainly a damaging wind threat are possible across the central Gulf Coast and coastal Carolinas.

Outlook Images

overview

tornado 2%

wind 15%

hail 15%

Detailed Outlook

SPC AC 241622

Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1122 AM CDT Mon Aug 24 2026

Valid 241630Z - 251200Z

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF THE NORTHERN PLAINS/UPPER MIDWEST…CENTRAL HIGH PLAINS…LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY/CENTRAL GULF COAST…AND COASTAL CAROLINAS

### SUMMARY

Severe thunderstorms capable of producing large hail and severe wind gusts will be possible this afternoon and evening across parts of the Upper Midwest as well as the central High Plains. Other severe thunderstorms with mainly a damaging wind threat are possible across the central Gulf Coast and coastal Carolinas.

Central Gulf Coast

Satellite/radar mosaic late this morning shows a cluster of storms moving south along the MS River. Mostly clear skies will promote additional heating to the south over the coastal plain, which will further destabilize the airmass and lead to steepening 0-2 km lapse rates (in excess of 8 deg C/km) as temperatures warm into the lower 90s deg F. Deep-layer northerly steering flow will favor southward movement of the thunderstorm cluster and new updraft development on the leading edge of the cold pool. As this convection likely continues to develop and become surface-based through the mid afternoon, there will be a corresponding increase in potential for scattered wet microbursts (55-65 mph gusts capable of wind damage) with the stronger cores. This activity will likely push south of the coast by the early evening.

Dakotas/Upper Midwest into the Central High Plains

A mid-level shortwave trough over Alberta/Saskatchewan will move eastward across the Canadian prairie provinces through tonight, with a belt of moderately strong flow aloft and multiple MCVs influencing the northern Plains to Upper Midwest. Widely scattered thunderstorms are forecast to develop late this afternoon into the early evening within a moist/unstable airmass near an eastward-moving front and weak surface wave across central/eastern ND. Other convection may initiate and then move southeastward from south-central Canada. Around 35-45 kt of deep-layer shear will support supercells initially with a large hail threat. The development of east/southeastward-moving clusters should eventually occur this evening, with scattered severe gusts possible.

Farther south and a bit more removed from the stronger cyclonic flow aloft, additional high-based thunderstorms are expected to form by late afternoon/early evening across the Black Hills/western NE in the vicinity of the surface front. Strengthening and sufficient veering of winds with height through the mid levels should support initial supercells capable of large hail, prior to a clustering of these southeastward-moving thunderstorms. The risk for scattered severe gusts may linger through mid/late evening across the central High Plains before increasing MLCIN encourages gradual weakening.

Coastal Carolinas

A larger-scale low/troughing centered over the St. Lawrence Valley will maintain cyclonic mid to high-level flow over the region this afternoon. The 12 UTC Charleston, SC and Newport, NC raobs showed a very unstable airmass in place to the southeast of a cold front draped over the Carolinas. Veering and strengthening flow with height will support deep-layer shear (30-35 kt) favorable for storm organization. The stronger storms will be capable of a hail/wind-damage risk this afternoon. See MCD #2112 for short-term details through early afternoon regarding severe potential.

Northern Great Basin into the Central Rockies

Isolated to scattered high-based thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon across parts of the northern Great Basin into the central Rockies amid steepening low-level lapse rates with a very well-mixed boundary layer. Since this convection will develop along the periphery of stronger flow aloft, modest organization is possible even though low-level moisture and related instability should remain weak. Occasional dry microbursts may occur, some of which could pose an isolated threat for severe gusts.

Maine

Partly cloudy skies will promote some heating and resulting in weak instability (500-1000 J/kg MLCAPE) by early to mid afternoon. Forecast soundings show elongated hodographs due to a 100+ kt upper speed max overhead. A few of the stronger thunderstorms may be capable of a localized hail/wind risk for a few hours before this marginal threat subsides by early evening.

..Smith/Chalmers.. 08/24/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT

NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 1 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 2000Z

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Outlook for Tuesday, August 25

Outlook Summary

Scattered severe storms are likely over the central Plains tomorrow (Tuesday), with more isolated severe storms possible over the Upper Mississippi Valley and Gulf coastline. Over all areas, severe gusts are the main threat, though a couple instances of hail or a tornado are also possible over the Upper Mississippi Valley.

Outlook Images

overview

tornado 2%

wind 15%

hail 5%

Detailed Outlook

SPC AC 241709

Day 2 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1209 PM CDT Mon Aug 24 2026

Valid 251200Z - 261200Z

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE CENTRAL PLAINS

### SUMMARY

Scattered severe storms are likely over the central Plains tomorrow (Tuesday), with more isolated severe storms possible over the Upper Mississippi Valley and Gulf coastline. Over all areas, severe gusts are the main threat, though a couple instances of hail or a tornado are also possible over the Upper Mississippi Valley.

Synopsis

Upper ridging will dominate most of the CONUS as an upper trough over the Northeast ejects into the Atlantic tomorrow (Tuesday). Multiple embedded impulses are expected to pivot around the upper ridge over the central U.S., encouraging surface troughing over the Plains states. Low-level moisture advection beneath seasonably cool temperatures aloft, along with modest forcing for ascent with the surface trough, will encourage strong to severe thunderstorm development across portions of the High Plains to the Upper MS Valley.

Portions of the central Plains

Upslope flow of low-level moisture toward the higher terrain/immediate lee of the Rockies will encourage thunderstorm development tomorrow afternoon across the central High Plains. A deep and relatively dry boundary layer will develop through the day, with high-based pulse cellular and multicellular storms expected (given relatively poor tropospheric vertical shear). Lapse rates from the surface to 500 mb will reach the 8-9 C/km range, with robust updrafts likely. These storms will quickly become outflow dominant, leading to the cold-pool merger and the subsequent organization of one or more loosely organized MCSs. Given steep boundary layer lapse rates, efficient evaporative cooling will promote the potential of severe gusts with the more organized storm clusters, from far southern NE to the TX Panhandle.

Parts of the Upper MS Valley

By late afternoon, thunderstorms are poised to develop immediately ahead of a surface trough as a 500 mb impulse and associated wind maximum overspreads the Upper MS Valley. Surface dewpoints should reach the low to mid 60s F, but will be overspread by modest mid-level lapse rates (i.e. 6-7 C/km), yielding 2000-3000 J/kg MLCAPE. Forecast hodographs are elongated, with some low-level curvature noted. Supercells are expected to be the main storm mode, accompanied by a sparse risk of all severe convective hazards.

Eastern parts of the Gulf Coast

Pulse cellular storms will develop along the Gulf Coast again tomorrow, where mid 70s F surface dewpoints will yield enough buoyancy to support strong thunderstorms. MLCAPE will likely exceed 2000 J/kg over several locales, with PWATS well over 2 inches expected. As such, water-loaded downdrafts will promote wet microbursts capable of producing wind damage.

..Squitieri.. 08/24/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS02 PTSDY2 PRODUCT

NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 2 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 0600Z

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Outlook for Wednesday, August 26

Outlook Summary

Scattered strong to severe storms are possible across the central High Plains, Ozarks into the Lower Mississippi Valley, and in the Midwest into the Great Lakes.

Outlook Images

overview

any severe 5%

Detailed Outlook

SPC AC 240729

Day 3 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0229 AM CDT Mon Aug 24 2026

Valid 261200Z - 271200Z

THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE CENTRAL HIGH PLAINS…THE OZARKS INTO THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY…AND THE MIDWEST INTO THE GREAT LAKES

### SUMMARY

Scattered strong to severe storms are possible across the central High Plains, Ozarks into the Lower Mississippi Valley, and in the Midwest into the Great Lakes.

Midwest into the Great Lakes

A mid-level shortwave trough will advance through the Great Lakes on Wednesday. A surface cold front will move southeastward through the period with thunderstorms developing along it by mid-afternoon. Upper 60 to low 70s dewpoints will result in moderate instability. Multicell clusters and perhaps a few supercells will be possible along and ahead of the cold front during the afternoon and into the evening. Isolated large hail and damaging wind gusts will be the primary threat. However, some low-level wind shear could result in a localized tornado threat with any supercells which develop.

Central High Plains

A weakening of the mid-level ridge will support scattered storm development within a weak upslope flow regime across eastern Colorado on Wednesday. These storms will form on the southwestern periphery of the stronger mid-level flow traversing the northeastern portion of the upper-level ridge. This may result in sufficient shear for a few south-southeasterly moving supercells capable of large hail and severe wind gusts.

Ozarks into the Lower Mississippi Valley

A weak surface low will drift slowly southeastward along a frontal boundary into the ArkLaTex on Wednesday. Strong heating is expected with temperatures in the upper 90s to low 100s. This deeply-mixed and uncapped airmass will support scattered thunderstorm development by mid-afternoon. Northwesterly flow aloft is relatively weak (~20 knots). This will likely result in mostly unorganized storms with a few multicell clusters. Despite the relatively weak shear, the strong heating will support some damaging wind gusts.

..Bentley.. 08/24/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS03 PTSDY3 PRODUCT

NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 3 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1930Z

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Outlook for Thursday, August 27

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:

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

Days Covered in this Outlook

Day 4 Thursday, August 27 predictability too low
Day 5 Friday, August 28 predictability too low
Day 6 Saturday, August 29 predictability too low
Day 7 Sunday, August 30 predictability too low
Day 8 Monday, August 31 predictability too low

Detailed Outlook

ZCZC SPCSWOD48 ALL ACUS48 KWNS 240859 SPC AC 240859

Day 4-8 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0359 AM CDT Mon Aug 24 2026

Valid 271200Z - 011200Z

DISCUSSION

A strong mid-level ridge will be centered over the Rockies on Thursday with a broad trough centered across the Great Lakes. The ridge will break down over the weekend with a more zonal flow with embedded shortwave troughs extending from the Northwest to the northern Plains and into the Northeast. Beyond this weekend, guidance differs on the evolution of the pattern with considerable uncertainty.

D7/Sunday to D8/Monday - Northern Plains

Guidance continues to consolidate around an unseasonably strong mid-level shortwave trough across the northern Plains into the Upper Midwest on Sunday and Monday. There is still some spread around the timing of this trough and also the degree of destabilization ahead of it. However, despite these timing differences, a moderately strong signal for an increasing severe weather threat in this period appears to be emerging as a trough with a consistent convective signal is shown by the ECMWF and GFS and also by the AI-GFS and AI-ECMWF. Ensemble guidance shows a flattened ridge with a mid-level jet streak across this region during the same timeframe. Surprisingly, AI/ML guidance shows very little signal for a severe threat across this region. Analysis of individual ensemble members suggests this is likely reflective of the uncertainty in timing and location of this trough and greater spread among the ensemble guidance. Nonetheless, the potential for an organized severe weather threat across the northern Plains and/or Upper Midwest late this weekend into early next week appears to be increasing. If guidance continues to consolidate with decreasing spread about the timing of the trough, severe weather probabilities may eventually be needed.

..Bentley.. 08/24/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS48 PTSD48 PRODUCT

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Outlook for Friday, August 28

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:

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

Days Covered in this Outlook

Day 4 Thursday, August 27 predictability too low
Day 5 Friday, August 28 predictability too low
Day 6 Saturday, August 29 predictability too low
Day 7 Sunday, August 30 predictability too low
Day 8 Monday, August 31 predictability too low

Detailed Outlook

ZCZC SPCSWOD48 ALL ACUS48 KWNS 240859 SPC AC 240859

Day 4-8 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0359 AM CDT Mon Aug 24 2026

Valid 271200Z - 011200Z

DISCUSSION

A strong mid-level ridge will be centered over the Rockies on Thursday with a broad trough centered across the Great Lakes. The ridge will break down over the weekend with a more zonal flow with embedded shortwave troughs extending from the Northwest to the northern Plains and into the Northeast. Beyond this weekend, guidance differs on the evolution of the pattern with considerable uncertainty.

D7/Sunday to D8/Monday - Northern Plains

Guidance continues to consolidate around an unseasonably strong mid-level shortwave trough across the northern Plains into the Upper Midwest on Sunday and Monday. There is still some spread around the timing of this trough and also the degree of destabilization ahead of it. However, despite these timing differences, a moderately strong signal for an increasing severe weather threat in this period appears to be emerging as a trough with a consistent convective signal is shown by the ECMWF and GFS and also by the AI-GFS and AI-ECMWF. Ensemble guidance shows a flattened ridge with a mid-level jet streak across this region during the same timeframe. Surprisingly, AI/ML guidance shows very little signal for a severe threat across this region. Analysis of individual ensemble members suggests this is likely reflective of the uncertainty in timing and location of this trough and greater spread among the ensemble guidance. Nonetheless, the potential for an organized severe weather threat across the northern Plains and/or Upper Midwest late this weekend into early next week appears to be increasing. If guidance continues to consolidate with decreasing spread about the timing of the trough, severe weather probabilities may eventually be needed.

..Bentley.. 08/24/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS48 PTSD48 PRODUCT

← back to overview

 

Outlook for Saturday, August 29

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:

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

Days Covered in this Outlook

Day 4 Thursday, August 27 predictability too low
Day 5 Friday, August 28 predictability too low
Day 6 Saturday, August 29 predictability too low
Day 7 Sunday, August 30 predictability too low
Day 8 Monday, August 31 predictability too low

Detailed Outlook

ZCZC SPCSWOD48 ALL ACUS48 KWNS 240859 SPC AC 240859

Day 4-8 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0359 AM CDT Mon Aug 24 2026

Valid 271200Z - 011200Z

DISCUSSION

A strong mid-level ridge will be centered over the Rockies on Thursday with a broad trough centered across the Great Lakes. The ridge will break down over the weekend with a more zonal flow with embedded shortwave troughs extending from the Northwest to the northern Plains and into the Northeast. Beyond this weekend, guidance differs on the evolution of the pattern with considerable uncertainty.

D7/Sunday to D8/Monday - Northern Plains

Guidance continues to consolidate around an unseasonably strong mid-level shortwave trough across the northern Plains into the Upper Midwest on Sunday and Monday. There is still some spread around the timing of this trough and also the degree of destabilization ahead of it. However, despite these timing differences, a moderately strong signal for an increasing severe weather threat in this period appears to be emerging as a trough with a consistent convective signal is shown by the ECMWF and GFS and also by the AI-GFS and AI-ECMWF. Ensemble guidance shows a flattened ridge with a mid-level jet streak across this region during the same timeframe. Surprisingly, AI/ML guidance shows very little signal for a severe threat across this region. Analysis of individual ensemble members suggests this is likely reflective of the uncertainty in timing and location of this trough and greater spread among the ensemble guidance. Nonetheless, the potential for an organized severe weather threat across the northern Plains and/or Upper Midwest late this weekend into early next week appears to be increasing. If guidance continues to consolidate with decreasing spread about the timing of the trough, severe weather probabilities may eventually be needed.

..Bentley.. 08/24/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS48 PTSD48 PRODUCT

← back to overview

 

Outlook for Sunday, August 30

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:

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

Days Covered in this Outlook

Day 4 Thursday, August 27 predictability too low
Day 5 Friday, August 28 predictability too low
Day 6 Saturday, August 29 predictability too low
Day 7 Sunday, August 30 predictability too low
Day 8 Monday, August 31 predictability too low

Detailed Outlook

ZCZC SPCSWOD48 ALL ACUS48 KWNS 240859 SPC AC 240859

Day 4-8 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0359 AM CDT Mon Aug 24 2026

Valid 271200Z - 011200Z

DISCUSSION

A strong mid-level ridge will be centered over the Rockies on Thursday with a broad trough centered across the Great Lakes. The ridge will break down over the weekend with a more zonal flow with embedded shortwave troughs extending from the Northwest to the northern Plains and into the Northeast. Beyond this weekend, guidance differs on the evolution of the pattern with considerable uncertainty.

D7/Sunday to D8/Monday - Northern Plains

Guidance continues to consolidate around an unseasonably strong mid-level shortwave trough across the northern Plains into the Upper Midwest on Sunday and Monday. There is still some spread around the timing of this trough and also the degree of destabilization ahead of it. However, despite these timing differences, a moderately strong signal for an increasing severe weather threat in this period appears to be emerging as a trough with a consistent convective signal is shown by the ECMWF and GFS and also by the AI-GFS and AI-ECMWF. Ensemble guidance shows a flattened ridge with a mid-level jet streak across this region during the same timeframe. Surprisingly, AI/ML guidance shows very little signal for a severe threat across this region. Analysis of individual ensemble members suggests this is likely reflective of the uncertainty in timing and location of this trough and greater spread among the ensemble guidance. Nonetheless, the potential for an organized severe weather threat across the northern Plains and/or Upper Midwest late this weekend into early next week appears to be increasing. If guidance continues to consolidate with decreasing spread about the timing of the trough, severe weather probabilities may eventually be needed.

..Bentley.. 08/24/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS48 PTSD48 PRODUCT

← back to overview

 

Outlook for Monday, August 31

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:

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

Days Covered in this Outlook

Day 4 Thursday, August 27 predictability too low
Day 5 Friday, August 28 predictability too low
Day 6 Saturday, August 29 predictability too low
Day 7 Sunday, August 30 predictability too low
Day 8 Monday, August 31 predictability too low

Detailed Outlook

ZCZC SPCSWOD48 ALL ACUS48 KWNS 240859 SPC AC 240859

Day 4-8 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0359 AM CDT Mon Aug 24 2026

Valid 271200Z - 011200Z

DISCUSSION

A strong mid-level ridge will be centered over the Rockies on Thursday with a broad trough centered across the Great Lakes. The ridge will break down over the weekend with a more zonal flow with embedded shortwave troughs extending from the Northwest to the northern Plains and into the Northeast. Beyond this weekend, guidance differs on the evolution of the pattern with considerable uncertainty.

D7/Sunday to D8/Monday - Northern Plains

Guidance continues to consolidate around an unseasonably strong mid-level shortwave trough across the northern Plains into the Upper Midwest on Sunday and Monday. There is still some spread around the timing of this trough and also the degree of destabilization ahead of it. However, despite these timing differences, a moderately strong signal for an increasing severe weather threat in this period appears to be emerging as a trough with a consistent convective signal is shown by the ECMWF and GFS and also by the AI-GFS and AI-ECMWF. Ensemble guidance shows a flattened ridge with a mid-level jet streak across this region during the same timeframe. Surprisingly, AI/ML guidance shows very little signal for a severe threat across this region. Analysis of individual ensemble members suggests this is likely reflective of the uncertainty in timing and location of this trough and greater spread among the ensemble guidance. Nonetheless, the potential for an organized severe weather threat across the northern Plains and/or Upper Midwest late this weekend into early next week appears to be increasing. If guidance continues to consolidate with decreasing spread about the timing of the trough, severe weather probabilities may eventually be needed.

..Bentley.. 08/24/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS48 PTSD48 PRODUCT

← back to overview

 

National Risk Overview

Monday, August 24
TORNADO: 2%
HAIL: 15%
WIND: 15%
Tuesday, August 25
TORNADO: 2%
HAIL: 5%
WIND: 15%
Wednesday, August 26
ANY SEVERE: 5%
Thursday, August 27
ANY SEVERE: predictability too low
Friday, August 28
ANY SEVERE: predictability too low
Saturday, August 29
ANY SEVERE: predictability too low
Sunday, August 30
ANY SEVERE: predictability too low
Monday, August 31
ANY SEVERE: predictability too low

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