Regional Severe Weather Outbreak Possible Tuesday

A significant severe weather event is still likely to unfold across the southern Plains, lower Mississippi Valley, and Southeast tomorrow through Wednesday.

Tomorrow

There is an enhanced (level 3 out of 5) risk for severe weather for eastern Texas tomorrow.

Severe weather outlook for Monday, March 21, 2022. (Image: SPC/NWS/SPC)

It appears a squall line/mesoscale convective system (MCS) will develop by Monday evening/night and shift eastward into Louisiana by early Tuesday. The environment will also be supportive of supercells.

All severe hazards (tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail), including a few strong tornadoes, will be possible.

Tuesday

The threat will shift east Tuesday, and a moderate (level 4 out of 5) risk for severe weather is in place for parts of southern/central Louisiana and Mississippi. For context, the Storm Prediction Center doesn’t define a moderate risk area in their Day 3 Convective Outlook too often.

NAM 12 KM projected near-surface reflectivity and MSLP for 7 PM CDT Tuesday afternoon. (Image: Tropical Tidbits)

Looking at the latest model guidance, the squall line/MCS will continue progressing east into/across the lower Mississippi Valley through the day and will be capable of producing all modes of severe weather. But of greatest concern is the potential for discrete storms/supercells that could form ahead of it.

Strong southerly low-level flow, 70 – 90 kt southwesterly flow at 500 mb, and a 50 – 70 kt 850 mb jet will yield very favorable wind shear for rotating updrafts. Furthermore, current projected SB/ML CAPE (instability) values in the 1000 – 2500 j/kg suggests development of strong updrafts is likely.

All severe hazards will be possible, including strong/significant tornadoes. The SPC is continuing to mention the possibility of a “regional severe-weather outbreak.”

Tuesday Night and Wednesday

The threat for severe weather will shift into Alabama and the Florida Panhandle Tuesday night/Wednesday morning and farther into the Southeast during the day Wednesday.

NAM 12 KM projected near-surface reflectivity and MSLP for 7 AM CDT Wednesday morning showing the progression of the squall line/MCS. (Image: Tropical Tidbits)

Overall, the severe weather threat may be lower, but all severe hazards will remain possible. The primary storm mode should become linear as the squall line/MCS continues east.

Be sure to monitor forecast updates from your local National Weather Service weather forecast office and/or local media in the coming days.

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Caleb Carmichael
Caleb Carmichael

Caleb is the owner of Gulf Coast Storm Center. He is currently an undergraduate student at Mississippi State University majoring in geoscience with a concentration in broadcast and operational meteorology. While not yet a meteorologist, Caleb has been providing weather updates, news, and analysis for the Gulf Coast since 2014.

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