MD 1988 CONCERNING SEVERE POTENTIAL...WATCH POSSIBLE FOR EASTERN WYOMING AND NORTHEAST COLORADO INTO FAR SOUTHWEST SOUTH DAKOTA AND THE NEBRASKA PANHANDLE Mesoscale Discussion 1988 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0228 PM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026 Areas affected...eastern Wyoming and northeast Colorado into far southwest South Dakota and the Nebraska Panhandle Concerning...Severe potential...Watch possible Valid 151928Z - 152130Z Probability of Watch Issuance...60 percent SUMMARY...The potential for severe storms capable of large hail and severe wind gusts is expected to increase this afternoon into evening. A severe thunderstorm watch is possible. DISCUSSION...Visible satellite imagery and lightning data indicate thunderstorms developing over the central Rockies, including the CO Front Range, with additional storms noted over central into northeast WY, and the far northwest NE Panhandle. More widespread cloud cover has slowed daytime heating across portions of the adjacent High Plains, where latest objective analysis indicates lingering convective inhibition. However, continued daytime heating should allow the cap to weaken, thereby allowing storms to advance into the High Plains, amidst a steep lapse rate environment featuring MLCAPE of 1000-1500 J/kg. When coupled with 30-40 kt of deep-layer shear, the setup will support multicell and some supercell storm modes capable of mainly large hail initially. Latest CAM guidance continues to suggest that storms will grow upscale into clusters this evening with an associated increase in severe wind gust potential. ..Mead/Guyer.. 08/15/2026 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product... ATTN...WFO...LBF...UNR...GLD...BOU...CYS... LAT...LON 39230558 41060562 43250564 43430501 43280389 42600341 42220297 40760240 39940260 39500307 39300380 39180462 39230558 MOST PROBABLE PEAK WIND GUST...55-70 MPH MOST PROBABLE PEAK HAIL SIZE...1.00-1.75 IN Read more

Full outlook from NOAA / Storm Prediction Center.

Source: NOAA / Storm Prediction Center. Factual summary of a public release; not financial advice.

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