TORNADO HQ: waiting on update ...

Finding your location risk...

Severe Weather Outlook

show me my personal outlook →

Hayley here - Do you want to see severe weather in your calendar?


* it's like an add-on for your digital calendar NOT a paper calendar

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

Outlook for Friday, September 4

Outlook 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.

Outlook Images

overview

overview severe weather outlook for Friday, September  4

tornado low

tornado severe weather outlook for Friday, September  4

wind 30%

wind severe weather outlook for Friday, September  4

hail 5%

hail severe weather outlook for Friday, September  4

Detailed Outlook

SPC AC 040537

Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1237 AM CDT Fri Sep 04 2026

Valid 041200Z - 051200Z

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TODAY THROUGH TONIGHT IN A CORRIDOR ACROSS THE SOUTHERN GREAT LAKES AND MIDDLE/UPPER OHIO VALLEY INTO MID ATLANTIC

### 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.

Discussion

Mid/upper flow is forecast to undergo further amplification today though tonight across southern Canada and the U.S., downstream of positively tilted large-scale troughing which continues to evolve offshore of the Pacific coast through Intermountain West. It appears that this will include building ridging across and north of the international border, from the Rockies through upper Great Lakes, to the north of a high centered over the central Great Plains. Downstream, large-scale troughing is forecast to continue slowly digging across the northern and middle Atlantic Seaboard. As it does, it likely will suppress a prominent high initially centered near the southern Appalachians.

Accompanying the eastern trough, reinforcing surges of cooler low-level air will continue to overspread portions of the Great Lakes and Northeast today through tonight. It appears that this will contribute to a slow south and southwestward progression of the primary surface front across the Mid Atlantic and through the upper into middle Ohio Valley.

Southern Great Lakes into Mid Atlantic

A moist boundary layer, and remnant plume of relatively steep lower/mid-tropospheric lapse rates, particularly across the Upper Midwest and southern Great Lakes vicinity into the western slopes of the Appalachians, may continue to support moderate to strong potential instability along the quasi-stationary to slow moving frontal zone. Latest convection allowing guidance suggests that this front may already be providing a focus for organizing thunderstorm development across southern Lower Michigan by the beginning of the period, beneath the favorably sheared southwestern periphery of the stronger westerlies. As the boundary-layer destabilizes ahead of it with insolation, it appears that this activity may intensify further, accompanied by increasing potential to produce strong to severe wind gusts while propagating southeastward across parts of northern/eastern Ohio into the Allegheny Plateau by this afternoon.

It remains unclear whether forcing for ascent and destabilization to the immediate lee of the Allegheny Mountains and Blue Ridge will maintain this cluster. However, convection allowing guidance suggests that the initiation of at least scattered vigorous diurnal thunderstorm activity is probable downstream, closer to and across the coastal plain, where the environment is likely to be supportive of a few downbursts with strong to severe surface gusts late this afternoon into evening.

Late this evening into the overnight hours, downstream of another short wave perturbation digging to the east of the amplifying mid-level ridging, there is a notable signal within convection-allowing and related guidance that forcing for ascent may support another evolving cluster of storms. This may track close to, but probably at least a bit to the southwest of, the early day cluster, from the southern Lower Michigan through Ohio and West Virginia vicinity.

..Kerr/Chalmers.. 09/04/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT

NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 1 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1300Z

← back to overview

 

Outlook for Saturday, September 5

Outlook Summary

Severe thunderstorms capable of damaging gusts are possible across portions of the central Appalachians and Carolinas on Saturday afternoon and evening. Isolated occurrences of large hail and severe wind gusts also appear possible over parts of the northern Plains and vicinity Saturday afternoon into night.

Outlook Images

overview

overview severe weather outlook for Saturday, September  5

tornado low

tornado severe weather outlook for Saturday, September  5

wind 15%

wind severe weather outlook for Saturday, September  5

hail 5%

hail severe weather outlook for Saturday, September  5

Detailed Outlook

SPC AC 040504

Day 2 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1204 AM CDT Fri Sep 04 2026

Valid 051200Z - 061200Z

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM THE CENTRAL APPALACHIANS TO COASTAL NORTH CAROLINA

### SUMMARY

Severe thunderstorms capable of damaging gusts are possible across portions of the central Appalachians and Carolinas on Saturday afternoon and evening. Isolated occurrences of large hail and severe wind gusts also appear possible over parts of the northern Plains and vicinity Saturday afternoon into night.

Ohio Valley to southern Mid-Atlantic/Carolinas

An upper shortwave disturbance will migrate through northwesterly flow aloft, leading to modest height falls across the region on Saturday. As this occurs, midlevel northwesterly flow will strengthen, supporting effective shear magnitudes in the 25-35 kt range. At the surface, a cold front will develop south across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic after 00z. Ahead of the front, a very warm and moist airmass will foster a corridor of moderate to strong instability.

Forecast guidance varies with regards to possible morning convection, resulting in some uncertainty in the forecast for Saturday. Early convection could be ongoing anywhere from the Lower Ohio Valley toward the WV/VA mountains as remnants from Day 1 thunderstorm activity. Whether this early day activity will dissipate or re-intensify as it moves into the moist and destabilizing downstream airmass is uncertain. Regardless, the overall environment will support afternoon and evening thunderstorm activity ahead of the southward-advancing front and along a surface trough through the parts of the VA/NC/SD Piedmont. Organized clusters will mainly pose a damaging wind risk as convection spreads east/southeast during the afternoon and evening.

Northern/Central Plains vicinity

Substantial upper ridging will be centered over the Plains on Saturday. However, most guidance depicts one of more shortwave disturbances migrating northeast from the central Rockies into the NE/SD vicinity. Additionally, convection could be ongoing at the start of the period across the Mid-MO Valley. Southeasterly low-level flow will result in modest boundary layer moisture along a surface trough across the northern/central High Plains, with increasing dewpoints further east toward the MO River along a surface boundary. Steep midlevel lapse rates will support modest instability across the High Plains, with moderate to strong instability further east.

If storms are occurring at the beginning of the period across the MO Valley, hail and strong wind gusts will be possible, with some intensification possible toward midday/early afternoon within the very moist/unstable and favorably sheared environment. Additional widely scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop along the surface trough over the High Plains during the late afternoon/evening. This activity could produce strong outflow wind gusts given a deeply mixed boundary layer and modest shear, along with isolated large hail.

..Leitman.. 09/04/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS02 PTSDY2 PRODUCT

NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 2 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1730Z

← back to overview

 

Outlook for Sunday, September 6

Outlook Summary

Strong wind gusts are possible across the Southeast Sunday afternoon and early evening. A more uncertain and conditional risk for severe wind and hail is expected across parts of the northern Plains.

Outlook Images

overview

overview severe weather outlook for Sunday, September  6

any severe 5%

any severe severe weather outlook for Sunday, September  6

Detailed Outlook

SPC AC 040636

Day 3 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0136 AM CDT Fri Sep 04 2026

Valid 061200Z - 071200Z

THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF THE SOUTHEAST…AND THE NORTHERN PLAINS

### SUMMARY

Strong wind gusts are possible across the Southeast Sunday afternoon and early evening. A more uncertain and conditional risk for severe wind and hail is expected across parts of the northern Plains.

Northern Plains

An amplified upper ridge will remain in place from the central Plains to the Upper Midwest on Sunday. Some modest weakening of the ridge may occur as an upper shortwave trough digs across the Northwest and weak shortwave disturbances crest the ridge through the period. At the surface, low pressure will persist across the western Dakotas. Boundary layer moisture will spread across eastern MT on the back side of the surface low, while deep low-level moisture extends across ND into eastern SD and the Mid-MO Valley along another surface boundary. Capping will be a main limiting factor for storm development. However, if the cap can be overcome, or if elevated convection develops during the day into evening, strong wind gusts and large hail will be possible given supercell wind profiles and corridor of moderate to strong instability.

Deep-layer southwesterly flow is forecast to increase with the approach of the Northwest upper shortwave trough late in the period across parts of the northern Rockies toward the northern High Plains. This could also support possible severe convection overnight into parts of MT, but timing and overlap of stronger shear and better instability remains uncertain.

Overall, severe potential appears conditional on Sunday across portions of the northern Plains. But, if storms can develop, some risk for severe wind/hail will be possible.

Southeast

Weak northwesterly flow aloft will persist on Sunday as a surface front develops south/southwest into the Southeast. Ahead of the surface boundary, a very moist airmass will support a corridor of moderate to strong instability focused across southern GA. Thunderstorms are expected to develop during the afternoon. Vertical shear will remain weak, but high PW values could support sporadic wet microbursts and locally strong wind gusts. Some guidance suggests sufficient clustering and outflow consolidation could occur such that a forward propagating cluster could spread south/southwest across the area. If this occurs, damaging wind potential could increase.

..Leitman.. 09/04/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS03 PTSDY3 PRODUCT

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

← back to overview

 

Outlook for Monday, September 7

Outlook Images

any severe predictability too low

any severe severe weather outlook for Monday, September  7

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 Monday, September 7 predictability too low
Day 5 Tuesday, September 8 predictability too low
Day 6 Wednesday, September 9 predictability too low
Day 7 Thursday, September 10 predictability too low
Day 8 Friday, September 11 predictability too low

Detailed Outlook

ZCZC SPCSWOD48 ALL ACUS48 KWNS 040747 SPC AC 040747

Day 4-8 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0247 AM CDT Fri Sep 04 2026

Valid 071200Z - 121200Z

DISCUSSION

Days 4-6/Mon-Wed – Northern Plains to Great Lakes

An upper shortwave trough is forecast to move across the Canadian Prairies and Upper Midwest through Tuesday, before continuing east toward the Lower Great Lakes on Wednesday. This will shift the amplified upper ridge over the Plains at the beginning of the period eastward over the Midwest, before flattening the ridge over the Great Lakes through mid-week. As this occurs, enhanced west/southwesterly flow will overspread portions of the northern Plains/Upper Midwest and eventually the Great Lakes. A surface low will track east/northeast across central Canada, and a trailing cold front will move across the region on Tuesday/Wednesday. Some severe potential could develop across the Dakotas into the Upper Midwest Monday and Tuesday given enhance southwesterly flow aloft and sufficient moisture ahead of the surface boundary. However, warm midlevels may result in capping while large-scale ascent will be focused mostly north of the international border. As a result, severe potential and storm coverage are uncertain, precluding 15 percent probabilities at this time.

The cold front will weaken on Wednesday as the upper low lifts into northern Ontario, and deep-layer flow will veer, becoming mostly westerly. While some severe potential could develop into parts of the Midwest and eastern Great Lakes vicinity, confidence is low regarding where the greatest risk could emerge.

Days 7-8/Thu-Fri

The upper ridge is forecast to once again amplify over the Rockies and into the Plains late in the week and severe potential appears limited.

..Leitman.. 09/04/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS48 PTSD48 PRODUCT

← back to overview

 

Outlook for Tuesday, September 8

Outlook Images

any severe predictability too low

any severe severe weather outlook for Tuesday, September  8

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 Monday, September 7 predictability too low
Day 5 Tuesday, September 8 predictability too low
Day 6 Wednesday, September 9 predictability too low
Day 7 Thursday, September 10 predictability too low
Day 8 Friday, September 11 predictability too low

Detailed Outlook

ZCZC SPCSWOD48 ALL ACUS48 KWNS 040747 SPC AC 040747

Day 4-8 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0247 AM CDT Fri Sep 04 2026

Valid 071200Z - 121200Z

DISCUSSION

Days 4-6/Mon-Wed – Northern Plains to Great Lakes

An upper shortwave trough is forecast to move across the Canadian Prairies and Upper Midwest through Tuesday, before continuing east toward the Lower Great Lakes on Wednesday. This will shift the amplified upper ridge over the Plains at the beginning of the period eastward over the Midwest, before flattening the ridge over the Great Lakes through mid-week. As this occurs, enhanced west/southwesterly flow will overspread portions of the northern Plains/Upper Midwest and eventually the Great Lakes. A surface low will track east/northeast across central Canada, and a trailing cold front will move across the region on Tuesday/Wednesday. Some severe potential could develop across the Dakotas into the Upper Midwest Monday and Tuesday given enhance southwesterly flow aloft and sufficient moisture ahead of the surface boundary. However, warm midlevels may result in capping while large-scale ascent will be focused mostly north of the international border. As a result, severe potential and storm coverage are uncertain, precluding 15 percent probabilities at this time.

The cold front will weaken on Wednesday as the upper low lifts into northern Ontario, and deep-layer flow will veer, becoming mostly westerly. While some severe potential could develop into parts of the Midwest and eastern Great Lakes vicinity, confidence is low regarding where the greatest risk could emerge.

Days 7-8/Thu-Fri

The upper ridge is forecast to once again amplify over the Rockies and into the Plains late in the week and severe potential appears limited.

..Leitman.. 09/04/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS48 PTSD48 PRODUCT

← back to overview

 

Outlook for Wednesday, September 9

Outlook Images

any severe predictability too low

any severe severe weather outlook for Wednesday, September  9

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 Monday, September 7 predictability too low
Day 5 Tuesday, September 8 predictability too low
Day 6 Wednesday, September 9 predictability too low
Day 7 Thursday, September 10 predictability too low
Day 8 Friday, September 11 predictability too low

Detailed Outlook

ZCZC SPCSWOD48 ALL ACUS48 KWNS 040747 SPC AC 040747

Day 4-8 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0247 AM CDT Fri Sep 04 2026

Valid 071200Z - 121200Z

DISCUSSION

Days 4-6/Mon-Wed – Northern Plains to Great Lakes

An upper shortwave trough is forecast to move across the Canadian Prairies and Upper Midwest through Tuesday, before continuing east toward the Lower Great Lakes on Wednesday. This will shift the amplified upper ridge over the Plains at the beginning of the period eastward over the Midwest, before flattening the ridge over the Great Lakes through mid-week. As this occurs, enhanced west/southwesterly flow will overspread portions of the northern Plains/Upper Midwest and eventually the Great Lakes. A surface low will track east/northeast across central Canada, and a trailing cold front will move across the region on Tuesday/Wednesday. Some severe potential could develop across the Dakotas into the Upper Midwest Monday and Tuesday given enhance southwesterly flow aloft and sufficient moisture ahead of the surface boundary. However, warm midlevels may result in capping while large-scale ascent will be focused mostly north of the international border. As a result, severe potential and storm coverage are uncertain, precluding 15 percent probabilities at this time.

The cold front will weaken on Wednesday as the upper low lifts into northern Ontario, and deep-layer flow will veer, becoming mostly westerly. While some severe potential could develop into parts of the Midwest and eastern Great Lakes vicinity, confidence is low regarding where the greatest risk could emerge.

Days 7-8/Thu-Fri

The upper ridge is forecast to once again amplify over the Rockies and into the Plains late in the week and severe potential appears limited.

..Leitman.. 09/04/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS48 PTSD48 PRODUCT

← back to overview

 

Outlook for Thursday, September 10

Outlook Images

any severe predictability too low

any severe severe weather outlook for Thursday, September 10

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 Monday, September 7 predictability too low
Day 5 Tuesday, September 8 predictability too low
Day 6 Wednesday, September 9 predictability too low
Day 7 Thursday, September 10 predictability too low
Day 8 Friday, September 11 predictability too low

Detailed Outlook

ZCZC SPCSWOD48 ALL ACUS48 KWNS 040747 SPC AC 040747

Day 4-8 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0247 AM CDT Fri Sep 04 2026

Valid 071200Z - 121200Z

DISCUSSION

Days 4-6/Mon-Wed – Northern Plains to Great Lakes

An upper shortwave trough is forecast to move across the Canadian Prairies and Upper Midwest through Tuesday, before continuing east toward the Lower Great Lakes on Wednesday. This will shift the amplified upper ridge over the Plains at the beginning of the period eastward over the Midwest, before flattening the ridge over the Great Lakes through mid-week. As this occurs, enhanced west/southwesterly flow will overspread portions of the northern Plains/Upper Midwest and eventually the Great Lakes. A surface low will track east/northeast across central Canada, and a trailing cold front will move across the region on Tuesday/Wednesday. Some severe potential could develop across the Dakotas into the Upper Midwest Monday and Tuesday given enhance southwesterly flow aloft and sufficient moisture ahead of the surface boundary. However, warm midlevels may result in capping while large-scale ascent will be focused mostly north of the international border. As a result, severe potential and storm coverage are uncertain, precluding 15 percent probabilities at this time.

The cold front will weaken on Wednesday as the upper low lifts into northern Ontario, and deep-layer flow will veer, becoming mostly westerly. While some severe potential could develop into parts of the Midwest and eastern Great Lakes vicinity, confidence is low regarding where the greatest risk could emerge.

Days 7-8/Thu-Fri

The upper ridge is forecast to once again amplify over the Rockies and into the Plains late in the week and severe potential appears limited.

..Leitman.. 09/04/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS48 PTSD48 PRODUCT

← back to overview

 

Outlook for Friday, September 11

Outlook Images

any severe predictability too low

any severe severe weather outlook for Friday, September 11

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 Monday, September 7 predictability too low
Day 5 Tuesday, September 8 predictability too low
Day 6 Wednesday, September 9 predictability too low
Day 7 Thursday, September 10 predictability too low
Day 8 Friday, September 11 predictability too low

Detailed Outlook

ZCZC SPCSWOD48 ALL ACUS48 KWNS 040747 SPC AC 040747

Day 4-8 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0247 AM CDT Fri Sep 04 2026

Valid 071200Z - 121200Z

DISCUSSION

Days 4-6/Mon-Wed – Northern Plains to Great Lakes

An upper shortwave trough is forecast to move across the Canadian Prairies and Upper Midwest through Tuesday, before continuing east toward the Lower Great Lakes on Wednesday. This will shift the amplified upper ridge over the Plains at the beginning of the period eastward over the Midwest, before flattening the ridge over the Great Lakes through mid-week. As this occurs, enhanced west/southwesterly flow will overspread portions of the northern Plains/Upper Midwest and eventually the Great Lakes. A surface low will track east/northeast across central Canada, and a trailing cold front will move across the region on Tuesday/Wednesday. Some severe potential could develop across the Dakotas into the Upper Midwest Monday and Tuesday given enhance southwesterly flow aloft and sufficient moisture ahead of the surface boundary. However, warm midlevels may result in capping while large-scale ascent will be focused mostly north of the international border. As a result, severe potential and storm coverage are uncertain, precluding 15 percent probabilities at this time.

The cold front will weaken on Wednesday as the upper low lifts into northern Ontario, and deep-layer flow will veer, becoming mostly westerly. While some severe potential could develop into parts of the Midwest and eastern Great Lakes vicinity, confidence is low regarding where the greatest risk could emerge.

Days 7-8/Thu-Fri

The upper ridge is forecast to once again amplify over the Rockies and into the Plains late in the week and severe potential appears limited.

..Leitman.. 09/04/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS48 PTSD48 PRODUCT

← back to overview

 

National Risk Overview

Friday, September 4
TORNADO: low
HAIL: 5%
WIND: 30%
Saturday, September 5
TORNADO: low
HAIL: 5%
WIND: 15%
Sunday, September 6
ANY SEVERE: 5%
Monday, September 7
ANY SEVERE: predictability too low
Tuesday, September 8
ANY SEVERE: predictability too low
Wednesday, September 9
ANY SEVERE: predictability too low
Thursday, September 10
ANY SEVERE: predictability too low
Friday, September 11
ANY SEVERE: predictability too low

Your Severe Outlook

Center after dragging
Map loads as you approach it.

Hey, it looks like your location wasn't detected.

Drag the marker on the map and we'll show you the severe weather potential for a given location.


Hi, I'm Hayley. Did you know that I run this site out of my own pocket? So if you'd like to help out and you're already planning on buying something off of Amazon, why not use our Amazon Severe Weather Outlook link before you buy and we'll get a tiny portion of your purchase.

 

Severe Weather Outlook Amazon link →


About Severe Weather Outlook . com

SWO started as a spinoff project of wickedwx, but has since replaced the site.