spc ac 200552
day 2 convective outlook
nws storm prediction center norman ok
1252 am cdt wed may 20 2026
valid 211200z - 221200z
...there is a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms across portions
of southeastern colorado...northeastern new mexico...and the far
western oklahoma and texas panhandles...
...summary...
isolated severe storms are possible across parts of the central and
southern high plains thursday afternoon and evening.
...synopsis...
a mid-level shortwave will translate eastward across the central
rockies on d2/thursday. at the surface, a cold front will move
through the northern high plains while a secondary stationary front
remains in place from the carolinas through the tennessee valley
into ozark plateau. a few strong to severe storms capable of large
hail and damaging wind will be possible near the front range in
colorado.
...central and southern high plains...
upslope flow into eastern colorado will combine with modest
upper-level forcing for ascent to allow for isolated to widely
scattered thunderstorms near the high terrain. steep lapse rates,
mlcape 500-1000 j/kg, and deep layer shear around 30-35 kts from
south of i-70 will allow for a few better organized cells capable of
large hail and damaging wind. this threat will decrease with eastern
extent into ks/ok where strengthening mlcin will temper the severe
threat downstream.
additional areas of scattered thunderstorm activity will be possible
across southern oklahoma into northern/central texas and across far
western texas in the afternoon. generally weak deep layer shear
should limit the severe risk. a few instances of gusty winds and
small hail will be possible.
...elsewhere...
widely scattered thunderstorms are expected across the northern
rockies into the northern plains near the upper-low. weak moisture
and limited instability will likely keep storms sub-severe. widely
scattered thunderstorms will also be likely south of the stationary
front from the carolinas into the tennessee and mississippi valleys.
while marginal instability will be in place, weak deep layer shear
profiles will lead to more disorganized storms and limit the overall
severe threat.
..thornton.. 05/20/2026
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note: the next day 2 outlook is scheduled by 1730z