Significant severe weather possible in Northern Plains on Wednesday
Happy Tuesday evening! For the past several days, our forecasters have internally discussed (to members and clients) the potential for a significant severe weather event throughout the Northern Plains during the middle part of this week. On the periphery of a strong mid level ridge, forecast models and ensembles have been hinting for several days that impressively strong mid level winds will surge southward from Canada.
This may not sound overly significant initially, but the mid level winds strengthening along the northern periphery of a strong heat ridge can often be the first signal for significant severe weather potential. As these winds juxtapose with the presence of impressive instability and sometimes lift, severe thunderstorms can develop and quickly organize. This Wednesday will be the culmination of these ingredients. Lets break it down: