SPC Enhances Severe Weather Outlooks

Beginning October 22nd, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) will be using a revised system for their severe weather outlooks. Every day, the forecasters at the SPC produce outlooks that show what areas in the country are at risk for severe weather today, tomorrow, and even up to a few days out.

Currently, there are four categories on their outlook maps, See Text (TSTM) for general thunderstorms, and Slight (SLGT), Moderate (MDT), and High (HIGH) Risks for severe storms. The new outlooks will still have the Slight, Moderate, and High Risks, but will now include Marginal and Enhanced Risk categories.

The Marginal Risk category is replacing the See Text area, and Enhanced Risk will be used for areas that are at the high end of the Slight Risk, but not yet in the Moderate category. Below is a proposed SPC Day 1 Outlook that includes the new enhancements:

The SPC will also be producing “close-up” maps that zoom in on the area with the greatest risk and are designed to be used for social media and the news. If you are unfamiliar on how the SPC categorizes risks for severe weather, make sure you check out the guidelines they have listed on their website; these include the two new categories that will be active starting October 22nd.