Storm Prediction Center

WW 0213 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 213 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES RIGHT OF A LINE FROM 30 WSW TQE TO 15 SSW SUX TO 30 N SUX TO 40 SSW OTG TO 15 SSE OTG TO 25 ENE OTG TO 15 E RWF. ..JEWELL..05/18/26 ATTN...WFO...FSD...OAX...LBF... STATUS REPORT FOR WT 213 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IAC021-035-041-059-093-133-141-143-149-167-193-180240- IA . IOWA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE BUENA VISTA CHEROKEE CLAY DICKINSON IDA MONONA O'BRIEN OSCEOLA PLYMOUTH SIOUX WOODBURY MNC033-063-180240- MN . MINNESOTA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE COTTONWOOD JACKSON NEC021-173-180240- NE . NEBRASKA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE Read more

WW 0213 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 213 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES RIGHT OF A LINE FROM 30 WSW TQE TO 15 SSW SUX TO 30 N SUX TO 40 SSW OTG TO 15 SSE OTG TO 25 ENE OTG TO 15 E RWF. ..JEWELL..05/18/26 ATTN...WFO...FSD...OAX...LBF... STATUS REPORT FOR WT 213 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IAC021-035-041-059-093-133-141-143-149-167-193-180240- IA . IOWA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE BUENA VISTA CHEROKEE CLAY DICKINSON IDA MONONA O'BRIEN OSCEOLA PLYMOUTH SIOUX WOODBURY MNC033-063-180240- MN . MINNESOTA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE COTTONWOOD JACKSON NEC021-173-180240- NE . NEBRASKA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE Read more

WW 0213 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 213 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES RIGHT OF A LINE FROM 30 WSW TQE TO 15 SSW SUX TO 30 N SUX TO 40 SSW OTG TO 15 SSE OTG TO 25 ENE OTG TO 15 E RWF. ..JEWELL..05/18/26 ATTN...WFO...FSD...OAX...LBF... STATUS REPORT FOR WT 213 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IAC021-035-041-059-093-133-141-143-149-167-193-180240- IA . IOWA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE BUENA VISTA CHEROKEE CLAY DICKINSON IDA MONONA O'BRIEN OSCEOLA PLYMOUTH SIOUX WOODBURY MNC033-063-180240- MN . MINNESOTA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE COTTONWOOD JACKSON NEC021-173-180240- NE . NEBRASKA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE Read more

WW 213 TORNADO IA MN NE SD 171840Z - 180300Z
URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Tornado Watch Number 213 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 140 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026 The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a * Tornado Watch for portions of Northwest Iowa Far Southwest Minnesota Northeast Nebraska Southeast South Dakota * Effective this Sunday afternoon and evening from 140 PM until 1000 PM CDT. * Primary threats include... A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible Scattered damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts to 85 mph possible Scattered large hail likely with isolated very large hail events to 3 inches in diameter possible SUMMARY...Thunderstorm coverage and intensity is expected to increase this afternoon along and ahead of a cold front moving into the Mid Missouri Valley. Strong buoyancy and shear will favor supercells with any discrete development. These intense supercells would be capable of all hazards, including very large hail (up to 3"+ in diameter) and strong tornadoes. More linear development is expected along the front, with strong gusts and line-embedded possible, particularly across eastern portions of the watch (i.e. far northeast Nebraska, far southeast South Dakota, northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota). The tornado watch area is approximately along and 70 statute miles north and south of a line from 40 miles west northwest of Oneill NE to 35 miles north of Storm Lake IA. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU3). PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. && AVIATION...Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to 3 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 75 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector 24035. ...Mosier Read more

WW 0217 Status Updates
STATUS FOR WATCH 0217 HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED YET Read more

WW 0215 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 215 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES RIGHT OF A LINE FROM 55 SSE GLD TO 25 SSE GLD TO 20 NNE GLD TO 30 WNW HLC. ..JEWELL..05/18/26 ATTN...WFO...GLD... STATUS REPORT FOR WS 215 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS KSC109-193-180140- KS . KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE LOGAN THOMAS THE WATCH STATUS MESSAGE IS FOR GUIDANCE PURPOSES ONLY. PLEASE REFER TO WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION STATEMENTS FOR OFFICIAL INFORMATION ON COUNTIES...INDEPENDENT CITIES AND MARINE ZONES CLEARED FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AND TORNADO WATCHES. Read more

WW 0215 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 215 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES RIGHT OF A LINE FROM 55 SSE GLD TO 25 SSE GLD TO 20 NNE GLD TO 30 WNW HLC. ..JEWELL..05/18/26 ATTN...WFO...GLD... STATUS REPORT FOR WS 215 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS KSC109-193-180140- KS . KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE LOGAN THOMAS THE WATCH STATUS MESSAGE IS FOR GUIDANCE PURPOSES ONLY. PLEASE REFER TO WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION STATEMENTS FOR OFFICIAL INFORMATION ON COUNTIES...INDEPENDENT CITIES AND MARINE ZONES CLEARED FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AND TORNADO WATCHES. Read more

WW 0215 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 215 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES RIGHT OF A LINE FROM 55 SSE GLD TO 25 SSE GLD TO 20 NNE GLD TO 30 WNW HLC. ..JEWELL..05/18/26 ATTN...WFO...GLD... STATUS REPORT FOR WS 215 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS KSC109-193-180140- KS . KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE LOGAN THOMAS THE WATCH STATUS MESSAGE IS FOR GUIDANCE PURPOSES ONLY. PLEASE REFER TO WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION STATEMENTS FOR OFFICIAL INFORMATION ON COUNTIES...INDEPENDENT CITIES AND MARINE ZONES CLEARED FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AND TORNADO WATCHES. Read more

WW 0215 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 215 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES RIGHT OF A LINE FROM 55 SSE GLD TO 25 SSE GLD TO 20 NNE GLD TO 30 WNW HLC. ..JEWELL..05/18/26 ATTN...WFO...GLD... STATUS REPORT FOR WS 215 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS KSC109-193-180140- KS . KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE LOGAN THOMAS THE WATCH STATUS MESSAGE IS FOR GUIDANCE PURPOSES ONLY. PLEASE REFER TO WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION STATEMENTS FOR OFFICIAL INFORMATION ON COUNTIES...INDEPENDENT CITIES AND MARINE ZONES CLEARED FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AND TORNADO WATCHES. Read more

MD 0758 CONCERNING SEVERE POTENTIAL...WATCH LIKELY FOR EXTREME EASTERN TEXAS PANHANDLE...NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA INTO SOUTH-CENTRAL KANSAS
Mesoscale Discussion 0758 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0519 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026 Areas affected...extreme eastern Texas Panhandle...northwest Oklahoma into south-central Kansas Concerning...Severe potential...Watch likely Valid 172219Z - 180045Z Probability of Watch Issuance...80 percent SUMMARY...At least isolated supercells are possible later this afternoon and into the early evening. The conditional risk of very large damaging hail is high, along with a risk of a couple tornadoes. The area is being monitored for initial deep convection. DISCUSSION...High based convection currently exists within the low-level lapse rates plume west of the dryline from the TX Panhandle into far southwest KS where temperatures have reached 100 F. Meanwhile, mid 90s F extend into much of northwest OK, where little convective inhibition remains. Low-level moisture is in the process of increasing from the southeast. GPS PWAT values around 1.25" are moving across central OK, while values near 1.60" are noted near the Red River. This suggests higher-quality boundary layer moisture will eventually spread northwestward into the strongly heated zone from the TX Panhandle into northwest OK later this afternoon into the early evening. Modified 18Z OUN sounding indicates low to mid 90s F temperatures are needed to remove inhibition. This will become more likely as the moisture spreads northwestward. Steep midlevel lapse rates over 8.0 C/km along with about 40 kt deep-layer shear oriented west-east across the dryline suggest supercells with very large hail potential will be possible. A tornado, even strong, cannot be ruled out with any longer tracked supercell. ..Jewell/Smith.. 05/17/2026 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product... ATTN...WFO...ICT...OUN...DDC...AMA... LAT...LON 35080050 37289965 37879947 38379918 38419879 38259828 37589777 37099758 36739758 36469772 36229829 35929900 35179961 34860000 34930048 35080050 MOST PROBABLE PEAK TORNADO INTENSITY...100-125 MPH MOST PROBABLE PEAK WIND GUST...65-80 MPH MOST PROBABLE PEAK HAIL SIZE...2.75-4.25 IN Read more

MD 0761 CONCERNING TORNADO WATCH 213...214... FOR PORTIONS OF EASTERN NEBRASKA INTO NORTHERN KANSAS AND WESTERN IOWA
Mesoscale Discussion 0761 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0653 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026 Areas affected...portions of eastern Nebraska into northern Kansas and western Iowa Concerning...Tornado Watch 213...214... Valid 172353Z - 180100Z The severe weather threat for Tornado Watch 213, 214 continues. SUMMARY...Severe wind and hail remain a concern with ongoing storms over eastern NE into western IA and northern KS. Focused corridors of severe wind, with isolated QLCS tornadoes, may accompany mature bowing segments. DISCUSSION...The cold front continues to surge southward and merge with the dryline, which may be at least partially contributing to the rapid upscale growth of ongoing multicells and supercells into line segments. Should this trend continue, then severe wind will become the main threat in a couple of hours, with a secondary risk of hail and isolated QLCS tornadoes. Bowing segments may be capable of producing focused corridors of 50+ kt gusts, with some exceeding 65 kts in magnitude. QLCS tornadoes are also most likely with the bowing segments. Supercell tornado potential seems more conditional given the prominent mixed/linear storm modes. One storm in Thayer County, NE is attempting to maintain supercell structure and currently contains a tornado. Given strong instability and vertical wind shear in place, any discrete supercell that can sustain itself will have a conditional potential to produce a strong tornado. ..Squitieri.. 05/17/2026 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product... ATTN...WFO...DMX...EAX...FSD...OAX...TOP...ICT...GID... LAT...LON 38949816 40139774 41859705 42779635 43189574 43189548 42919527 42429522 41789528 40939539 40169576 39589622 39119718 38949816 MOST PROBABLE PEAK TORNADO INTENSITY...120-145 MPH MOST PROBABLE PEAK WIND GUST...75-90 MPH MOST PROBABLE PEAK HAIL SIZE...1.50-2.50 IN Read more

WW 0213 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 213 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES RIGHT OF A LINE FROM 45 E BUB TO 30 ESE YKN TO 30 ENE FSD TO 45 NNW OTG. ..SQUITIERI..05/17/26 ATTN...WFO...FSD...OAX...LBF... STATUS REPORT FOR WT 213 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IAC021-035-041-059-093-119-133-141-143-149-167-193-180040- IA . IOWA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE BUENA VISTA CHEROKEE CLAY DICKINSON IDA LYON MONONA O'BRIEN OSCEOLA PLYMOUTH SIOUX WOODBURY MNC033-063-101-105-133-180040- MN . MINNESOTA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE COTTONWOOD JACKSON MURRAY NOBLES ROCK NEC003-021-039-043-051-119-139-167-173-179-180040- NE . NEBRASKA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE Read more

WW 0214 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 214 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES RIGHT OF A LINE FROM 15 NE RSL TO 30 WNW CNK TO 20 E HSI TO 45 WSW OFK. ..SQUITIERI..05/17/26 ATTN...WFO...OAX...TOP...GID...ICT... STATUS REPORT FOR WT 214 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IAC071-085-129-137-145-155-165-180040- IA . IOWA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE FREMONT HARRISON MILLS MONTGOMERY PAGE POTTAWATTAMIE SHELBY KSC027-029-105-117-123-131-143-149-157-161-167-201-180040- KS . KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE CLAY CLOUD LINCOLN MARSHALL MITCHELL NEMAHA OTTAWA POTTAWATOMIE REPUBLIC RILEY RUSSELL WASHINGTON NEC011-023-025-035-037-053-055-059-067-081-095-097-109-121-125- 127-129-131-133-141-143-147-151-153-155-159-169-177-185- 180040- Read more

WW 0215 Status Updates
STATUS REPORT ON WW 215 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES RIGHT OF A LINE FROM 45 NE LAA TO 25 NW GLD TO 25 NE GLD TO 35 SSE IML TO 15 SSE MCK. ..JEWELL..05/17/26 ATTN...WFO...GLD... STATUS REPORT FOR WS 215 SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS KSC109-153-181-193-199-180140- KS . KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE LOGAN RAWLINS SHERMAN THOMAS WALLACE THE WATCH STATUS MESSAGE IS FOR GUIDANCE PURPOSES ONLY. PLEASE REFER TO WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION STATEMENTS FOR OFFICIAL INFORMATION ON COUNTIES...INDEPENDENT CITIES AND MARINE ZONES CLEARED FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AND TORNADO WATCHES. Read more

WW 0216 Status Updates
STATUS FOR WATCH 0216 HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED YET Read more

WW 0216 Status Updates
STATUS FOR WATCH 0216 HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED YET Read more

WW 215 SEVERE TSTM CO KS NE 172155Z - 180200Z
URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 215 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 455 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026 The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of Eastern Colorado Northwest Kansas Southwest Nebraska * Effective this Sunday afternoon and evening from 455 PM until 900 PM CDT. * Primary threats include... Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2 inches in diameter possible Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible SUMMARY...A few severe thunderstorms are possible late this afternoon and early evening within the Watch area. This activity will likely progress eastward with the stronger storms capable of severe gusts (60-70 mph) and large hail (1 to 2 inches in diameter). The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 50 statute miles north and south of a line from 50 miles west northwest of Burlington CO to 50 miles east northeast of Goodland KS. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU5). PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... REMEMBER...A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce tornadoes. && OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 213...WW 214... AVIATION...A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to 2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 400. Mean storm motion vector 27035. ...Smith Read more

MD 0758 CONCERNING SEVERE POTENTIAL...WATCH LIKELY FOR EXTREME EASTERN TEXAS PANHANDLE...NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA INTO SOUTH-CENTRAL KANSAS
Mesoscale Discussion 0758 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0519 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026 Areas affected...extreme eastern Texas Panhandle...northwest Oklahoma into south-central Kansas Concerning...Severe potential...Watch likely Valid 172219Z - 180045Z Probability of Watch Issuance...80 percent SUMMARY...At least isolated supercells are possible later this afternoon and into the early evening. The conditional risk of very large damaging hail is high, along with a risk of a couple tornadoes. The area is being monitored for initial deep convection. DISCUSSION...High based convection currently exists within the low-level lapse rates plume west of the dryline from the TX Panhandle into far southwest KS where temperatures have reached 100 F. Meanwhile, mid 90s F extend into much of northwest OK, where little convective inhibition remains. Low-level moisture is in the process of increasing from the southeast. GPS PWAT values around 1.25" are moving across central OK, while values near 1.60" are noted near the Red River. This suggests higher-quality boundary layer moisture will eventually spread northwestward into the strongly heated zone from the TX Panhandle into northwest OK later this afternoon into the early evening. Modified 18Z OUN sounding indicates low to mid 90s F temperatures are needed to remove inhibition. This will become more likely as the moisture spreads northwestward. Steep midlevel lapse rates over 8.0 C/km along with about 40 kt deep-layer shear oriented west-east across the dryline suggest supercells with very large hail potential will be possible. A tornado, even strong, cannot be ruled out with any longer tracked supercell. ..Jewell/Smith.. 05/17/2026 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product... ATTN...WFO...ICT...OUN...DDC...AMA... LAT...LON 35080050 37289965 37879947 38379918 38419879 38259828 37589777 37099758 36739758 36469772 36229829 35929900 35179961 34860000 34930048 35080050 MOST PROBABLE PEAK TORNADO INTENSITY...100-125 MPH MOST PROBABLE PEAK WIND GUST...65-80 MPH MOST PROBABLE PEAK HAIL SIZE...2.75-4.25 IN Read more

MD 0760 CONCERNING SEVERE POTENTIAL...TORNADO WATCH LIKELY FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHERN IOWA INTO SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Mesoscale Discussion 0760 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0545 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026 Areas affected...portions of northern Iowa into southern Minnesota Concerning...Severe potential...Tornado Watch likely Valid 172245Z - 172345Z Probability of Watch Issuance...80 percent SUMMARY...The severe threat will increase over the next few hours. Severe wind and hail are likely, with tornadoes also possible. A Tornado Watch may be needed soon to address the impending threat. DISCUSSION...A bowing QLCS is traversing the far western IA/MN border, with a recent history of marginal severe hail/wind occurring with an embedded supercell structure. This QLCS is tracking eastward toward the axis of a 30-40 kt low-level jet, where low-level shear is increasing (i.e. 200+ m2/s2 effective SRH per 22Z mesoanalysis). Furthermore, 8+ C/km mid-level lapse rates are overspreading upper 60s to near 70 F surface dewpoints in the warm sector ahead of the QLCS, yielding up to 3000 J/kg MLCAPE. With 40+ kts of effective bulk shear also in place, potential exists for the QLCS to strengthen, with a corresponding increase in severe wind and hail potential. Line-embedded tornadoes may also occur, especially with portions of the QLCS that interact with an approaching warm front. A Tornado Watch may need to be issued in the next couple of hours. ..Squitieri/Smith.. 05/17/2026 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product... ATTN...WFO...ARX...MPX...DMX...FSD... LAT...LON 42589521 44019511 44269487 44329424 44209347 43859281 43459256 42919281 42629326 42429418 42469470 42589521 MOST PROBABLE PEAK TORNADO INTENSITY...100-125 MPH MOST PROBABLE PEAK WIND GUST...65-80 MPH MOST PROBABLE PEAK HAIL SIZE...1.50-2.50 IN Read more

WW 0216 Status Updates
STATUS FOR WATCH 0216 HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED YET Read more