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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

Wednesday, April 15
Thursday, April 16
Friday, April 17
Saturday, April 18
Sunday, April 19
Monday, April 20
Tuesday, April 21
Wednesday, April 22

Outlook for Wednesday, April 15

Outlook Summary

Severe thunderstorms posing a risk for large hail to very large hail, severe gusts, and a couple of tornadoes will be possible across portions of the southern Plains toward the Great Lakes this afternoon and evening.

Outlook Images

overview

tornado 5%

wind 15%

hail 15%

Detailed Outlook

SPC AC 151246

Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0746 AM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026

Valid 151300Z - 161200Z

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM THE SOUTHERN PLAINS INTO THE MIDWEST AND SOUTHERN GREAT LAKES

### SUMMARY

Severe thunderstorms posing a risk for large hail to very large hail, severe gusts, and a couple of tornadoes will be possible across portions of the southern Plains toward the Great Lakes this afternoon and evening.

Synopsis

Water-vapor imagery this morning shows an upper trough from the eastern Dakotas south-southwestward into the southern Rockies. A few disturbances will migrate eastward coincident with the trough with the most notable being over the central High Plains this morning. The aforementioned disturbance will move east reaching the mid-upper MS Valley with the trailing southern extent of the wave moving into the MO Ozarks and OK by daybreak Thursday. A weak diffuse low will move from northern KS to the southwest Great Lakes by late tonight. Farther east, an MCV near MO-IL will translate east and become perhaps a focus for storm activity later this afternoon across OH-PA. A rather complex forecast is apparent due in large part to considerable convection and related outflow permeating the warm sector overnight across much of the Slight-Risk area.

Iowa into the mid MS Valley

In the wake of showers/storms this morning from IA southward into MO, a moist and weakly capped airmass will destabilize through early afternoon. The eastward approach of the mid-level disturbance will likely contribute towards scattered thunderstorms developing 19-21z from near the weak low eastward along the composite outflow/frontal zone into IL-WI and southward into MO within a weakly capped warm sector. Forecast soundings show straight-line hodographs over IA with sizable CAPE in the hail growth zone. The potential for splitting supercells appears evident with the stronger storms capable of very large hail and perhaps some tornado risk across IA and northern MO.

Ozarks into Oklahoma and north Texas

Morning raobs showed steep 700-500 mb lapse rates (7.5-8 deg C/km) atop a seasonably very moist return-flow airmass. Models generally show storm development near the dryline by mid afternoon with initial development becoming supercellular. Large to very large hail will be possible with the stronger updrafts. Residual outflow from overnight convection moving into the Ozarks may play a role in enhancing low-level shear later today. Forecast soundings show somewhat limited low-level hodographs with a tendency for a veer-back-veer signature. Additional storms will favor some clustering and upscale growth with time due in part to the forecast hodographs. Nonetheless, all hazards will be possible at least through the early convective life cycle before the possibility for wind damage and linear structures perhaps evolve during the evening. ### Southern Great Lakes into the Northeast

The remnants of an overnight squall line are moving east across NY-PA this morning with a trailing outflow boundary extending westward into OH and northeast IN. Moist low levels and the eastward advection of steeper mid-level lapse rates will act to destabilize the southern Great Lakes into western PA through midday and into the afternoon. Forcing for ascent and enhancement of flow associated with the MCV will potentially focus thunderstorms and aid in their organization potential beginning this afternoon. Considerable uncertainty remains regarding this scenario and whether a mesoscale corridor of higher tornado probabilities is needed (i.e., northeast OH). Will defer to later outlooks to where perhaps mesoscale corridors of greater wind/hail threat and an isolated risk for a couple of tornadoes could develop.

..Smith/Dean.. 04/15/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT

NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 1 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1630Z

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Outlook for Thursday, April 16

Outlook Summary

Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible on Thursday extending from southeast Missouri across the Ohio Valley and into parts of New York.

Outlook Images

overview

tornado 2%

wind 15%

hail 15%

Detailed Outlook

SPC AC 150516

Day 2 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1216 AM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026

Valid 161200Z - 171200Z

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PORTIONS OF NEW YORK AND SOUTHERN VERMONT

### SUMMARY

Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible on Thursday extending from southeast Missouri across the Ohio Valley and into parts of New York.

Synopsis

An upper shortwave trough will spread east across the Midwest on Thursday, becoming oriented from the Lower Great Lakes to the central/southern Appalachians by Friday morning. At the surface, a front will sag south/southeast across the Great Lakes. Modest southwesterly low-level flow will maintain upper 50s to low 60s F dewpoints from the Mid-South into New York/southern New England. This should be sufficient for weak to moderate destabilization given modestly steep midlevel lapse rates.

New York vicinity

Modest height falls are forecast across the region during the afternoon and evening within a low-level warm advection regime. Moderate to strong deep-layer mid/upper flow will overspread the moistening boundary layer, supporting effective shear magnitudes of 30+ kt. Heating into the mid/upper 70s will lead to steepening low-level lapse rates, while cool temperatures aloft (near -12 C at 500 mb) will support 1000-1500 J/kg MLCAPE. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will develop during the afternoon. An accompanying risk of isolated large hail and damaging wind gusts is expected.

Mid-South and Ohio Valley

Convection posing a risk for marginal hail may be going across parts of the MO Bootheel vicinity Thursday morning. Persistent warm advection should allow for airmass recovery by afternoon across this area and thunderstorms are forecast to redevelop during the afternoon with a continued risk for isolated hail and strong wind gusts. Additional isolated convection also develop into the Ohio Valley during the afternoon, though the thermodynamic environment may be more marginal due to possible morning showers and cloud cover lingering, limiting destabilization. However, if storms are able to develop, locally strong gusts and marginal hail will be possible.

..Leitman.. 04/15/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS02 PTSDY2 PRODUCT

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

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Outlook for Friday, April 17

Outlook Summary

Widespread severe thunderstorms are expected from parts of the southern Plains to the Middle and Upper Mississippi Valley vicinity on Friday and Friday night. All severe hazards will be possible.

Outlook Images

overview

any severe 30%

Detailed Outlook

SPC AC 150728

Day 3 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0228 AM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026

Valid 171200Z - 181200Z

THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PORTIONS OF NORTHERN OKLAHOMA AND EASTERN KANSAS…MISSOURI…IOWA…AND FAR NORTHWEST ILLINOIS

### SUMMARY

Widespread severe thunderstorms are expected from parts of the southern Plains to the Middle and Upper Mississippi Valley vicinity on Friday and Friday night. All severe hazards will be possible.

Southern Plains to MS Valley

A robust upper trough will eject eastward from the northern High Plains and central Rockies to the Upper Midwest and central Plains on Friday. As this occurs, strong deep-layer southwesterly flow will overspread portions of the central/southern Plains to the Mid/Upper MS Valley and Great Lakes. Flow at 850-700 mb around 40-60 kt will be common. At the surface, a cold front will extend from northern MN to a low over eastern NE Friday morning. Meanwhile, a dryline will extend southwest from the NE low into central KS, northwest OK and western TX. A warm front initially arcing across central IA into south-central IL will lift northward through the period ahead of the eastward-advancing surface low tracking across northern IA/southern MN into WI. A warm sector characterized by mid/upper 60s F dewpoints will be in place across the southern Plains to the Mid-MS Valley by midday, with a narrow plume of low 60s F dewpoints extending north into portions of eastern MN and WI. Steep midlevel lapse rates (7-8 C/km) will overspread this moist boundary layer, resulting in moderate to strong destabilization.

As strong ascent overspreads the aforementioned surface boundaries by mid afternoon, widespread thunderstorm development is expected. While initial supercells are possible given a favorable thermodynamic environment and supercell vertical wind profiles, linear forcing along the front combined with strong deep-layer southwesterly flow parallel to the initiating boundary may result in rapid upscale development into a QLCS, particularly from northeast KS/northwest MO into IA. A well-organized line of convection will pose a damaging wind risk along with possible QLCS tornadoes as convection develops eastward through the afternoon/evening. If any discrete supercells develop, an all-hazards risk will also accompany that activity.

Further south across southern KS into OK, supercell development may be more probable, at least initially. Convection will initially develop along the dryline prior to the cold front overtaking this boundary later in the evening. Any supercells that develop and can maintain discrete characteristics will pose a risk for very large hail, strong tornadoes, and damaging winds. With time, the cold front will overtake the dryline during the evening and move southeast overnight. Linear convection is expected along the front, posing a damaging wind and isolated tornado risk during the nighttime hours.

Capping, weakening large-scale ascent and more modest vertical shear with southern extent may limit storm potential along the dryline in western/west-central TX.

..Leitman.. 04/15/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS03 PTSDY3 PRODUCT

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

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Outlook for Saturday, April 18

Outlook Images

any severe 15%

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 Saturday, April 18 15%
Day 5 Sunday, April 19 potential too low
Day 6 Monday, April 20 potential too low
Day 7 Tuesday, April 21 potential too low
Day 8 Wednesday, April 22 predictability too low

Detailed Outlook

ZCZC SPCSWOD48 ALL ACUS48 KWNS 150753 SPC AC 150753

Day 4-8 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0253 AM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026

Valid 181200Z - 231200Z

DISCUSSION

Day 4/Sat - Ohio Valley

An upper trough will overspread the Great Lakes and Midwest on Saturday. At the surface, a cold front will sweep east across the region during the day. Destabilization will likely be limited by downstream cloud cover within a strong low-level warm advection regime ahead of the front. Additionally, convection will likely be ongoing in the vicinity of the front from Lower MI into IN/IL. Nevertheless, strong mid/upper flow (40-60 kt in the 850-700 mb layer) will support strong to severe convection even amid weak instability. As such, a damaging wind gust risk will accompany linear convection moving across the region during the day into evening.

Days 5-6/Sun-Mon

Strong high pressure in the wake of the cold front from the Day 4 period will overspread much of the CONUS east of the Rockies early next week. A dry/stable airmass will preclude thunderstorm potential.

Days 7-8/Tue-Wed

An upper trough is forecast to develop across the western U.S. Tuesday/Wednesday. This will result in lee trough development across the High Plains, and strengthening south/southeasterly low-level flow will transport Gulf moisture northward across the southern Plains. Medium range guidance varies on whether or not this western trough will eject into the Plains during this time, or if upper ridging will be maintained. If the trough ejects, severe potential could develop across portions of the southern/central Plains Tuesday/Wednesday, though predictability is too low at this time to introduce severe probabilities.

..Leitman.. 04/15/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS48 PTSD48 PRODUCT

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Outlook for Sunday, April 19

Outlook Images

any severe potential 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 Saturday, April 18 15%
Day 5 Sunday, April 19 potential too low
Day 6 Monday, April 20 potential too low
Day 7 Tuesday, April 21 potential too low
Day 8 Wednesday, April 22 predictability too low

Detailed Outlook

ZCZC SPCSWOD48 ALL ACUS48 KWNS 150753 SPC AC 150753

Day 4-8 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0253 AM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026

Valid 181200Z - 231200Z

DISCUSSION

Day 4/Sat - Ohio Valley

An upper trough will overspread the Great Lakes and Midwest on Saturday. At the surface, a cold front will sweep east across the region during the day. Destabilization will likely be limited by downstream cloud cover within a strong low-level warm advection regime ahead of the front. Additionally, convection will likely be ongoing in the vicinity of the front from Lower MI into IN/IL. Nevertheless, strong mid/upper flow (40-60 kt in the 850-700 mb layer) will support strong to severe convection even amid weak instability. As such, a damaging wind gust risk will accompany linear convection moving across the region during the day into evening.

Days 5-6/Sun-Mon

Strong high pressure in the wake of the cold front from the Day 4 period will overspread much of the CONUS east of the Rockies early next week. A dry/stable airmass will preclude thunderstorm potential.

Days 7-8/Tue-Wed

An upper trough is forecast to develop across the western U.S. Tuesday/Wednesday. This will result in lee trough development across the High Plains, and strengthening south/southeasterly low-level flow will transport Gulf moisture northward across the southern Plains. Medium range guidance varies on whether or not this western trough will eject into the Plains during this time, or if upper ridging will be maintained. If the trough ejects, severe potential could develop across portions of the southern/central Plains Tuesday/Wednesday, though predictability is too low at this time to introduce severe probabilities.

..Leitman.. 04/15/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS48 PTSD48 PRODUCT

← back to overview

 

Outlook for Monday, April 20

Outlook Images

any severe potential 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 Saturday, April 18 15%
Day 5 Sunday, April 19 potential too low
Day 6 Monday, April 20 potential too low
Day 7 Tuesday, April 21 potential too low
Day 8 Wednesday, April 22 predictability too low

Detailed Outlook

ZCZC SPCSWOD48 ALL ACUS48 KWNS 150753 SPC AC 150753

Day 4-8 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0253 AM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026

Valid 181200Z - 231200Z

DISCUSSION

Day 4/Sat - Ohio Valley

An upper trough will overspread the Great Lakes and Midwest on Saturday. At the surface, a cold front will sweep east across the region during the day. Destabilization will likely be limited by downstream cloud cover within a strong low-level warm advection regime ahead of the front. Additionally, convection will likely be ongoing in the vicinity of the front from Lower MI into IN/IL. Nevertheless, strong mid/upper flow (40-60 kt in the 850-700 mb layer) will support strong to severe convection even amid weak instability. As such, a damaging wind gust risk will accompany linear convection moving across the region during the day into evening.

Days 5-6/Sun-Mon

Strong high pressure in the wake of the cold front from the Day 4 period will overspread much of the CONUS east of the Rockies early next week. A dry/stable airmass will preclude thunderstorm potential.

Days 7-8/Tue-Wed

An upper trough is forecast to develop across the western U.S. Tuesday/Wednesday. This will result in lee trough development across the High Plains, and strengthening south/southeasterly low-level flow will transport Gulf moisture northward across the southern Plains. Medium range guidance varies on whether or not this western trough will eject into the Plains during this time, or if upper ridging will be maintained. If the trough ejects, severe potential could develop across portions of the southern/central Plains Tuesday/Wednesday, though predictability is too low at this time to introduce severe probabilities.

..Leitman.. 04/15/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS48 PTSD48 PRODUCT

← back to overview

 

Outlook for Tuesday, April 21

Outlook Images

any severe potential 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 Saturday, April 18 15%
Day 5 Sunday, April 19 potential too low
Day 6 Monday, April 20 potential too low
Day 7 Tuesday, April 21 potential too low
Day 8 Wednesday, April 22 predictability too low

Detailed Outlook

ZCZC SPCSWOD48 ALL ACUS48 KWNS 150753 SPC AC 150753

Day 4-8 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0253 AM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026

Valid 181200Z - 231200Z

DISCUSSION

Day 4/Sat - Ohio Valley

An upper trough will overspread the Great Lakes and Midwest on Saturday. At the surface, a cold front will sweep east across the region during the day. Destabilization will likely be limited by downstream cloud cover within a strong low-level warm advection regime ahead of the front. Additionally, convection will likely be ongoing in the vicinity of the front from Lower MI into IN/IL. Nevertheless, strong mid/upper flow (40-60 kt in the 850-700 mb layer) will support strong to severe convection even amid weak instability. As such, a damaging wind gust risk will accompany linear convection moving across the region during the day into evening.

Days 5-6/Sun-Mon

Strong high pressure in the wake of the cold front from the Day 4 period will overspread much of the CONUS east of the Rockies early next week. A dry/stable airmass will preclude thunderstorm potential.

Days 7-8/Tue-Wed

An upper trough is forecast to develop across the western U.S. Tuesday/Wednesday. This will result in lee trough development across the High Plains, and strengthening south/southeasterly low-level flow will transport Gulf moisture northward across the southern Plains. Medium range guidance varies on whether or not this western trough will eject into the Plains during this time, or if upper ridging will be maintained. If the trough ejects, severe potential could develop across portions of the southern/central Plains Tuesday/Wednesday, though predictability is too low at this time to introduce severe probabilities.

..Leitman.. 04/15/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS48 PTSD48 PRODUCT

← back to overview

 

Outlook for Wednesday, April 22

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 Saturday, April 18 15%
Day 5 Sunday, April 19 potential too low
Day 6 Monday, April 20 potential too low
Day 7 Tuesday, April 21 potential too low
Day 8 Wednesday, April 22 predictability too low

Detailed Outlook

ZCZC SPCSWOD48 ALL ACUS48 KWNS 150753 SPC AC 150753

Day 4-8 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0253 AM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026

Valid 181200Z - 231200Z

DISCUSSION

Day 4/Sat - Ohio Valley

An upper trough will overspread the Great Lakes and Midwest on Saturday. At the surface, a cold front will sweep east across the region during the day. Destabilization will likely be limited by downstream cloud cover within a strong low-level warm advection regime ahead of the front. Additionally, convection will likely be ongoing in the vicinity of the front from Lower MI into IN/IL. Nevertheless, strong mid/upper flow (40-60 kt in the 850-700 mb layer) will support strong to severe convection even amid weak instability. As such, a damaging wind gust risk will accompany linear convection moving across the region during the day into evening.

Days 5-6/Sun-Mon

Strong high pressure in the wake of the cold front from the Day 4 period will overspread much of the CONUS east of the Rockies early next week. A dry/stable airmass will preclude thunderstorm potential.

Days 7-8/Tue-Wed

An upper trough is forecast to develop across the western U.S. Tuesday/Wednesday. This will result in lee trough development across the High Plains, and strengthening south/southeasterly low-level flow will transport Gulf moisture northward across the southern Plains. Medium range guidance varies on whether or not this western trough will eject into the Plains during this time, or if upper ridging will be maintained. If the trough ejects, severe potential could develop across portions of the southern/central Plains Tuesday/Wednesday, though predictability is too low at this time to introduce severe probabilities.

..Leitman.. 04/15/2026

CLICK TO GET WUUS48 PTSD48 PRODUCT

← back to overview

 

National Risk Overview

Wednesday, April 15
TORNADO: 5%
HAIL: 15%
WIND: 15%
Thursday, April 16
TORNADO: 2%
HAIL: 15%
WIND: 15%
Friday, April 17
ANY SEVERE: 30%
Saturday, April 18
ANY SEVERE: 15%
Sunday, April 19
ANY SEVERE: potential too low
Monday, April 20
ANY SEVERE: potential too low
Tuesday, April 21
ANY SEVERE: potential too low
Wednesday, April 22
ANY SEVERE: predictability too low

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