Severe weather risk: Slight

Slight Risk

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms today as a weakening front shifts into the Great Lakes states and drapes across the southern plains.  The most likely spot for a few severe thunderstorms will be around the Great Lakes this afternoon and evening. Conditions are not favorable for tornadoes today with Large hail being the primary risk in a few of the stronger thunderstorms.

Later in the week:  A storm will be developing and digging into the plains states and eventually out into the Mississippi River Valley on Thursday with an increasing chance of severe weather.  When this energy enters the plains states on Wednesday there will be an increasing severe weather risk.

Good luck today.  We will be monitoring your storm chase right here!

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What is a Slight, Moderate or High Risk?

Slight, Moderate and High Risks are designations used by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK, to designate progressively-higher levels of risks associated with severe thunderstorms, including damaging hail, high winds and tornadoes.  More explanation here.  One main difference between a Slight Risk, a Moderate Risk and a High Risk is the likelihood of severe storms and the number of severe storms expected to appear in a risk area.  There have been plenty of tornadoes spotted (and large ones too) on Slight Risk days.

Slight risks are quite common during severe-weather season.  You'll see them nearly every day most years. High risk areas may occur only a few to a few dozen times a year. 

Additionally, when there's NOT a severe-risk area issued by the SPC for a given day, the staff here at TornadoAlleyLIVE.com will label the day a "low" or "very low" risk.  These 2 terms aren't officially used by the SPC, but we consider "low" and "very low" to be additional tools to help you measure the opportunity to viewing LIVE tornado chases on this site.