Disclaimer:  This site is not affiliated with the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Hunters, Storm Prediction Center, or National Weather Service.  ALL forecasts herein are the result of my analysis, (to which you will see me at times, insert excerpts from various agencies due to the nature of the importance of the information) and I am solely responsible for the content.  As ALWAYS, follow the National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service, and your local Emergency Management officials for emergency decisions.  In addition, this is strictly a FORECAST OFFICE.  I CANNOT make decisions regarding travel plans, etc.  My purpose, is to provide you the information, based solely on information I analyze, and the accuracy of the information at hand of the time of analysis, so you may make informed decisions.
(T. F. “Storm” Walsh)

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I will reiterate, my forecasts are based on the available information at the time of analysis, and are only as accurate as the information analyzed and the solutions provided.

Good day everyone!
The forecast center is closed on Sunday’s.

IF 1300Z SPC outlook graphics are utilized, please check the SPC site for any updates to the outline risks when they are issued.  1630Z updates post at approximately 12:30 p.m.

CURRENT DAY1 SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued an ENHANCED risk for severe thunderstorms in the current DAY1 Outlook: ACROSS NORTHWEST TEXAS…WESTERN/CENTRAL OKLAHOMA…AND SOUTH-CENTRAL KANSAS…

…THERE  IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS: FOR PORTIONS OF THE MIDDLE OHIO VALLEY AND MID-ATLANTIC…

…SPC SUMMARY…
Severe thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts, large hail and a few tornadoes are likely across the southern and central Plains this afternoon and evening. Strong to severe storms are also possible from parts of the Ohio Valley, central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic.

1300Z SPC DAY 1 SEVERE THUNDERSTORM OUTLOOK (LINKED FOR OUTLOOK TEXT)

TORNADO PROBABILITY

Probability of a tornado within 25 miles of a point.  Hatched area: a 10% or greater probability of  EF2 – EF5 tornadoes within 25 miles of a point
HAIL PROBABILITY

Probability of one inch diameter hail or larger within 25 miles of a point.  Hatched area: a 10% or greater probability of 2 – inch diameter or larger hail within 25 miles of a point 
DAMAGING THUNDERSTORM WIND PROBABILITY

Probability of damaging thunderstorm winds or wind gusts of 50 knots or higher within 25 miles of a point.  Hatched area: a 10% or greater probability of 65 kt+ winds within 25 miles of a point
CSU – MLP DAY1 PROBABILITY (CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE)

NSSL ML DAY 1 PROBABILITY

CSU – MLP 6 PANEL PROBABILITIES DAY 1 AND DAY 2 (CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE)

DAY 3 – DAY 8

DAY 1 PROBABILITY CONVERSION TABLE

SPC DISCUSSION EXCERPT:
…Central/Southern Plains…
Low-level moisture advection is anticipated across the southern Plains today as the shortwave trough currently moving through the southern Great Basin continues quickly eastward, reaching the central Plains by early tomorrow. General expectation is for the stationary boundary mentioned in the synopsis to push north as warm front and for mid 60s dewpoints to cover much of OK by the late afternoon. This increasing low-level moisture beneath steep lapse rates (over 7 to 7.5 deg C per 12Z soundings and recent mesoanalysis) will support moderate to strong buoyancy from southwest TX into much of central and western OK. Height falls attendant to the approaching shortwave will begin spreading over this destabilizing airmass by the early afternoon, combining with low-level convergence along the front and dryline to support convective initiation between 21Z and 00Z.

As such, strong gusts appear to be the primary severe risk. Even so, steep lapse rates should still support large hail, even within the convective line. Very large hail (i.e. 2″+ in diameter) is possible if a discrete mode can be maintained. A discrete mode could also increase the tornado potential, but higher probabilities (i.e. 10%) were not introduced given the likely storm interactions and expected quick convective evolution into a line. Some tornado risk will still be present within the line, particularly during the 00-04Z period as low-level hodographs lengthen amid a strengthening low-level jet.

…Ohio Valley into Mid-Atlantic…
Ongoing cluster over MO will gradually move eastward with time, with the airmass south of the front mentioned in the synopsis destabilizing throughout the day. This destabilization coupled with moderate westerly flow aloft could lead to a reintensification of this cluster and/or new development ahead of it. Vertical shear will be modest but still sufficient for bowing line segments capable of damaging gusts. Greatest storm coverage (and attendant greatest severe potential) is expected over the middle Ohio Valley and the Mid-Atlantic States.

The following maps are from NADOCAST for tornado and hail probabilities.  Click each image for a larger view  
12Z NADOCAST TORNADO PROBABILITY

12Z NADOCAST SIGTOR PROBABILITY 

12Z NADOCAST HAIL PROBABILITY 

12Z NADOCAST SIGHAIL PROBABILITY 

Based on my analysis this morning of the current forecast severe weather indices, the forecast calls for a high end moderately unstable atmosphere to low end very unstable atmosphere at the moment within the ENHANCED risk area.  The main severe risk as of analysis this morning appears to be large to significant hail, based on lifted indices, steep mid level lapse rates, and maximum SBCAPE values within the 30% HAIL outline, and damaging thunderstorm winds / gusts, possibly to excess of 65 kts.  Tornadoes may be possible within the 2% and 5% TORNADO / HATCHED outline.  The possibility of an isolated EF2+ (most likely within the EF2 – EF3 range) cannot be ruled out.

Based on analysis of model animations, the current outlook, and analysis of indices, the strongest convection and indices should occur approximately between 4:00 P.M. CDT APR. 01  – 4:00 A.M. CDT APR. 02.  Strongest indices based on analysis appear to occur over the 30% SPC HAIL area.  Please visit the SPC homepage via the link provided for any changes to the forecast today.
CAPE VALUES FORECAST

DEW POINT FORECAST

Indices were analyzed from the NAM 3KM, HRRR 3KM, CIPS DETERMINISTIC, and SPC SREF model guidance.

REGARDING EHI VALUES: While EHI values are calculated utilizing MLCAPE and 0 – 3 km SRH values (MLCAPE x 0 – 3 km SRH /160,000), the highest SRH values do not always fall within ample MLCAPE values in order to provide the best probability for tornado activity.  Maximum EHI values are calculated within the area(s) that have the greatest probability for tornado activity

The following were the forecast parameters and indices analyzed this morning, and will pertain to the ENHANCED risk outline, where the tornado risk is the greatest.  Bear in mind, MAXIMUM indices recorded below are for the time of peak intensity.  Some indices meanings are posted below the indices themselves, and the NWS page containing a more extensive explanation can be accessed further on in the synopsis:
SBCAPE: 500- 3000 j/kg-1                  
MLCAPE: 500 – 2500 j/kg-1                   
MUCAPE: 500 – 3000 j/kg-1                
SRH 0 -1 km: 100 – 150 m2/s2               
SRH 0 -3 km: 150 – 250 m2/s2        
SRH EFFECTIVE: 100 – 200 m2/s2          
L. I.: -3 to -8                                                  
SCP: 1 – 12                                         
STP: 0.0 – 1.2
0 -6 km SHEAR: 30 kts – 50 kts                  
EFF. SHEAR: 30 kts – 35 kts                        
MID LEVEL LAPSE RATE: 7.0C – 8.0C   
DEWPOINT: 52F – 67F                                    
EHI: 0.8 – 3.2                                  
TOTAL TOTALS INDEX: 53C                
K INDEX: 28C to 36C                                          
SWEAT INDEX: 495 – 550                      
THOMPSON INDEX: 31 to 44     
CRAVEN – BROOKS INDEX: 20,000 – 40,000     

The following are some severe weather parameters and indices explanations:
CAPE

ENERGY HELICITY INDEX

K INDEX

TOTAL TOTALS INDEX

STORM RELATIVE HELICITY

LIFTED INDEX

SWEAT VALUES

THOMPSON INDEX

Craven SigSvr Parameter:
The simple product of 100mb MLCAPE and 0-6km magnitude of the vector difference (m/s; often referred to as “deep layer shear”) accounts for the compensation between instability and shear magnitude. Using a database of about 60,000 soundings, the majority of significant severe events (2+ inch hail, 65+ knot winds, F2+ tornadoes) occur when the product exceeds 20,000 m3/s3.

A little fact on SRH values and tornadoes from NOAA / NWS
Storm Relative Helicity (m² s^-2)
SRH (Storm Relative Helicity) is a measure of the potential for cyclonic updraft rotation in right-moving supercells, and is calculated for the lowest 1-km and 3-km layers above ground level. There is no clear threshold value for SRH when forecasting supercells, since the formation of supercells appears to be related more strongly to the deeper layer vertical shear. Larger values of 0-3-km SRH (greater than 250 m² s^-2) and 0-1-km SRH (greater than 100 m² s^-2), however, do suggest an increased threat of tornadoes with supercells. For SRH, larger values are generally better, but there are no clear thresholds between non-tornadic and significant tornadic supercells.

STP ( Significant Tornado Parameter) EXPLAINED:
A majority of significant tornadoes (EF2 or greater damage) have been associated with STP values greater than 1, while most non-tornadic supercells have been associated with values less than 1 in a large sample of RAP analysis proximity soundings.

SCP (Supercell Composite Parameter) EXPLAINED:
A multiple ingredient, composite index that includes effective storm-relative helicity (ESRH, based on Bunkers right supercell motion), most unstable parcel CAPE (muCAPE) and convective inhibition (muCIN), and effective bulk wind difference (EBWD). Each ingredient is normalized to supercell “threshold” values, and larger values of SCP denote greater “overlap” in the three supercell ingredients. Only positive values of SCP are displayed, which correspond to environments favoring right-moving (cyclonic) supercells.

The following are the SCP (Supercell Composite Parameter) and STP (Significant Tornado Parameter) forecast maps from the NAM 3KM model.  Generally, the higher the values and brighter the color, indicates a greater probability of strong thunderstorm and / or tornadic activity over an area:
NAM 3KM SCP FORECAST 3:00 P.M. CDT APR. 01 – 6:00 A.M. CDT APR. 02

NAM 3KM STP FORECAST 3:00 P.M. CDT APR. 01 – 6:00 A.M. CDT APR. 02

NAM 3KM RADAR SIMULATION 3:00 P.M. CDT APR. 01 – 6:00 A.M. CDT APR. 02

Please use the following maps, which should update automatically, for Mesoscale Discussions and Convective Watches.  You may have to refresh your browser, or click on the graphics.  I have provided the SPC homepage link below, so you may get the updated information regarding any changes to the outlook:
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/classic.html
SPC MESOSCALE DISCUSSIONS (CLICK IMAGE FOR UPDATES)

SPC CONVECTIVE WATCHES (CLICK IMAGE FOR UPDATES)

The following sites will explain most of the severe weather and tornado values listed above, and will give you an idea of what to expect:
ENVIRONMENTAL INDICES AND PARAMETERS NWS
https://www.weather.gov/lmk/indices

THE WEATHER PREDICTION
http://www.theweatherprediction.com/severe/indices/

The following links will connect you to the Excessive Rainfall probabilities and River Flood Outlook:
EXCESSIVE RAINFALL
https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/excessive_rainfall_outlook_ero.php

SIGNIFICANT RIVER FLOOD OUTLOOK
https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/nationalfloodoutlook/index.html

The following NWS Watch / Warning map will provide local NWS information for your area.  Click the image, then once it refreshes, click on your area of interest to view forecasts, any special weather statements, hazards or advisories for your area.
IF A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED FOR YOUR AREA…SEEK STURDY AND SAFE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY!

NWS WATCH / WARNING DISPLAY (LINKED…CLICK MAP, THEN YOUR AREA)

NWS DOPPLER RADAR LOOP (LINKED, CLICK RADAR MAP)

RAP RADAR (CLICK IMAGE THEN GO TO LOOP DURATION AND PICK LENGTH OF LOOP, THEN CLICK RADAR SITE)
WUNDERGROUND RADAR SUMMARY MAP (CLICK FOR UPDATES)

PRECIPITATION TYPE (CLICK TO ACCESS ANIMATION FEATURE)

CARIBBEAN RADAR (CLICK IMAGE TO ACCESS ANIMATION)

You may direct any questions by contacting me personally, ANYTIME, at: [email protected]

Have a blessed day!

T. F. “STORM” WALSH III
GMCS, USCG (ret)
METEOROLOGIST / HURRICANE SPECIALIST /SEVERE WEATHER SPECIALIST