Severe Storm Outlook Narrative (AC)
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
698 ACUS03 KWNS 300731 SWODY3 SPC AC 300730 Day 3 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0230 AM CDT Fri Oct 30 2026 Valid 011200Z - 021200Z ...THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER MUCH OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN NEW MEXICO...AND SMALL PARTS OF WESTERN TEXAS... ...SUMMARY... A few severe storms are anticipated from central New Mexico into parts of western Texas late Sunday into Sunday night. ...Discussion... An amplified upper trough will move across the Great Basin on Sunday, while another wave to the south moves across northern Baja CA and into AZ. By late in the day, gusty south winds will increase across the Rockies and into the southern High Plains, as low pressure develops over WY through 00Z. During the late evening and overnight, a prominent cold front will move out of AZ and into NM as the parent wave aloft continues northeastward across NM and into the central to southern High Plains. The surface low is forecast to deepen overnight into CO, with a surface trough into eastern NM and western TX through 12Z Monday. After a full day of heating, low-level lapse rates will be steep, and gusty winds overnight should maintain relatively warm temperatures ahead of the cold front. Dewpoints from the upper 40s to mid 50s F should also be maintained ahead of the front, with thunderstorms developing near the cold front after about 03-06Z. Deep-layer shear will be strong, with supercell wind profiles. Instability will be marginal over central NM, perhaps supporting locally severe gusts or marginal hail, with a potentially greater concentration of severe storms into eastern NM where low-level moisture will be more abundant with MUCAPE over 1000 J/kg. The strongest cooling aloft will spread over northern NM and into the TX Panhandle, and this is where a potentially greater hail and wind threat could develop. Both cellular and possibly QLCS storm mode will be possible, with storms tied to the cold front. A small corridor of higher severe probabilities could be added in later outlooks as trends warrant. ..Jewell.. 10/30/2026 $$