When in doubt... Always go with the QLCS mode in this area. More often than not you will win. Doesn't mean a rogue cell can't get it done, and also doesn't rule out QLCS tornadoes, gustnadoes or bookend circulation type things.
Reflectivity looked great in that bow shape - but velocity scans were consistently underwhelming. I was struggling to find anything of severe magnitude even on the TDWRs.
There's probably enough moisture to support a threat for storms (some strong maybe) past sunset. For the superstitious/non-scientific side of us - this could bode well for our odds to see stronger storms tomorrow. We just can't seem to string multiple days together - the area of focus always shifts a little bit day to day - even when it seems like we'll be bullseyed for days on days.
I personally thought that earlier mesoscale discussion was VERY high probs for something that had not even developed yet - and didn't look insanely good on modeling.
Because we love to predict the prediction (guess what SPC will do) around here - my guess is minimal changes (if any) at the 2am update. Probably the same for the 1300z unless something is very apparent.
18z NAM twins will run in the next hour.
Very strongly worded discussion from LWX now as well.
.SHORT TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
Dry weather is expected to continue through early Thursday with
temps in the 70s. Another higher risk day is expected Thursday
afternoon and into early evening. The front to our north will drop
southward through the day Thursday. This boundary coupled with warm
and moist air advected into our region due to a southerly flow along
with strong shortwave will lead to an enhanced risk for severe
weather. CAPE values will increase above 2000 as temperatures and
moisture increase during the day Thursday. Shear will be better than
today which will lead to an increased risk for a tornadoes Thursday.
SPC has upgraded our region to an enhanced risk for severe weather
with a 10 percent chance for tornadoes. Thursday could be a very
dangerous environment with more widespread threat for severe weather
and tornadoes. We will to need monitor the changing weather
situation to determine the timing, coverage and risk for Severe WX
tomorrow.
FWIW - There wasn't really much of a signal on CIPS the last day or two for tomorrow either. Some enhancement but nothing to write home about. I generally like bowling ball closed upper lows better (or a very amplified pattern in general) for tor risk around here.
I think the lack of CIPS shows us that our better severe events potentially have a different configuration at some height level. Nonetheless, ingredients are there for a fun day. Not "outbreak" status though.
For the heck of it - I took a look at the H5 maps for September 24, 2001 - didn't realize how amplified H5 was for that. Nothing at all like that setup. I think a lot of people like to sleep on September for us. But September might as well be May/June. I think the outlook is about as robust as it is going to get. The most I could see is a non-hatched 15% showing up. I don't think the ingredients are quite there for hatching of EITHER wind or tornado.
You know it's real when @andyhb pops into our subforum. Do you think we perform or bust tomorrow?
I doubt this goes to even a D1 moderate. It seems like the kind of scenario that is exactly the reason they mad the "enhanced" category. I'll eat my words if I'm wrong. Further, assume they'd wait for 1630z tomorrow to do it. I just don't think the coverage is going to be wide enough - it's already a tiny 10% area to begin with - and no derecho type setup.