Day 4-8 Outlook
Day 4-8 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0351 AM CST Wed Dec 31 2025 Valid 031200Z - 081200Z ...DISCUSSION... Primary severe concern will be across the northeast Gulf Coast States, during the morning to afternoon on D4/Saturday. A lower-amplitude shortwave trough remains consistently progged to dampen as it progresses quickly across the Southeast and northeast Gulf. With a weak surface cyclone, low-level winds should remain veered. But this should be adequate for weak buoyancy to spread east, emanating from the northwest Gulf and LA. With a more robust convective signal closer to the coast compared to D3/Friday, at least a level 1-MRGL risk should be warranted. This is supported by latest SPC-CSU and NSSL GEFS-based ML guidance with overlapping 5 percent probability areas. Along coastal CA, while run-to-run predictability is poor, latest guidance has some signal for low-topped supercell potential this weekend, downstream of a large-scale trough off the Pacific Coast. This appears generally focused across northern CA on D4/Saturday, shifting to southern CA on D5/Sunday. Spatiotemporal aspects of individual shortwave impulses and attendant mid-level jetlets relative to probable scant/meager buoyancy profiles will be crucial for delineating areal highlights in shorter-term outlooks. Otherwise, a combination of low potential/predictability remains evident early next week.
