Severe Storm Outlook Narrative (AC)
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
026 ACUS02 KWNS 230553 SWODY2 SPC AC 230551 Day 2 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1251 AM CDT Sun Aug 23 2026 Valid 241200Z - 251200Z ...THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FOR PORTIONS OF THE NORTHERN GREAT BASIN INTO THE CENTRAL HIGH PLAINS AND THE NORTHERN PLAINS...THE SOUTHEAST...AND NORTHERN MAINE... ...SUMMARY... Thunderstorms with at least isolated severe gusts/hail are possible across the northern Great Basin to the High Plains and northern Plains Monday afternoon and evening. A couple of damaging gusts may also occur with storms in Maine and along parts of the Gulf Coast to the eastern Carolinas. ...Northern Plains... A mid-level shortwave trough will traverse the Canadian prairies on Monday with some weak height falls overspreading North Dakota and northern South Dakota. A weak surface low will accompany this trough with a cold front extending into the Dakotas. Moderate to potentially strong instability is forecast ahead of this cold front. Subtle forcing from the height falls and weak convergence along the front may support isolated storms during the afternoon/evening. Long/straight hodographs would support supercells capable of large hail and severe wind gusts. Steep lapse rates will support some potential for 75+ mph wind gusts. In addition, if any longer lived supercells can develop, 2+ inch hail is also possible. Stronger forcing, hinted at by the more amplified mid-level trough on the 00Z NAM, would support greater storm coverage and potentially greater hail/wind probabilities in later outlooks. ...Northern Great Basin into the central High Plains... Widely scattered storms are forecast to develop over the higher terrain from the northern Great Basin to the central Rockies. As storms move into the adjacent Plains, where strong heating and steep lapse rates are forecast, severe wind gusts are possible. Storm mode will be single cell to multicell, with only 15 to 25 knots of shear across the region. However, the thermodynamic profile will support an isolated severe wind threat. ...Southeast... Temperatures in the mid to upper 80s amid mid 70s F dewpoints will yield MLCAPE over 2000 J/kg from Louisiana to the North Carolina coast. Despite weak tropospheric flow, enough moisture-fueled buoyancy will support the potential for wet downbursts capable of damaging gusts during the afternoon. ...Maine... Deep-layer ascent ahead of an ejecting mid-level shortwave trough will support scattered thunderstorm development during the late morning into the afternoon hours across central and northern Maine. A belt of 60 kt 500 mb southwesterly flow will pivot around the upper trough and overspread Maine during the afternoon, when buoyancy will be maximized. MLCAPE may exceed 750 J/kg with over 50 kts of effective bulk/speed shear. Therefore, any storms that develop may become multicellular or transient supercellular in nature, posting an isolated damaging gust/hail threat through the afternoon. ..Bentley.. 08/23/2026 $$