SPC AC 241246
Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0646 AM CST Fri Dec 24 2021
Valid 241300Z - 251200Z
...NO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST...
...SUMMARY...
Isolated thunder is possible over parts of the Pacific Coast States,
eastern Great Basin and Colorado Plateau.
...Synopsis/Discussion...
Mid/upper-level flow will remain zonal to west-southwesterly over
most of the CONUS through the period, downstream from a temporarily
low-amplitude mean trough near the Pacific Coast. A well-defined,
southern-stream shortwave trough is apparent in moisture-channel
imagery offshore from central/southern CA and northern Baja, between
122W-125W. This trough will deamplify substantially through the
period as it moves rapidly inland, reaching the southern Rockies
around 00Z and parts of IL/IN by 12Z tomorrow. Associated steep
low/middle-level lapse rates over the marine layer will support
isolated thunder potential the next few hours until the trough
passes over near-coastal southern CA, with isolated thunder also
possible separately in the central/southern Sierra and adjoining San
Joaquin Valley.
Sufficient low/middle-level moisture and at least marginally deep
buoyancy to support thunderstorms also is expected over parts of the
Colorado Plateau and eastern Great Basin. Some of this activity may
produce strong gusts, though lack of greater CAPE (MLCAPE generally
less than 250 J/g) and modest boundary-layer theta-e suggest severe
potential is too small for an outlook area. An elevated warm-
advection regime ahead of the weakening trough tonight -- from the
east-central Plains to the upper Ohio Valley -- will contain a
60-70-kt west-southwesterly LLJ and modest but increasing moisture
above the boundary layer. At this time, buoyancy looks too weak to
support more than very isolated/rogue lightning, but this regime
will be monitored for any better-focused thunder potential in
succeeding outlooks.
Meanwhile, a northern-stream perturbation -- now located just
offshore from WA and Vancouver Island -- will move inland and
weaken. Another perturbation will pivot west through south of the
initial one, with its eastern lobe extending inland over
northwestern CA/southwestern OR this afternoon and evening.
Accompanying cold midlevel temperatures and steep lapse rates over
the marine layer will support isolated thunder potential with
convective elements near the coast from northern CA to WA.
..Edwards/Gleason.. 12/24/2021
CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT
NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 1 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1630Z
|