Storm Prediction Center Outlooks: News 12 Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Julian Seawright breaks it down
The Storm Prediction Center issues color-coded outlooks and an outlined text description that forecast storm potential across the U.S., categorized as severe and non-severe storms.
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News12 Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Julian Seawright breaks down Storm Prediction Center Outlooks.
Whenever meteorologists speak about severe weather, the weather event is described with color-coded images, but what does it all represent?
The Storm Prediction Center issues color-coded outlooks and an outlined text description that forecast storm potential across the U.S., categorized as severe and non-severe storms.
The outlooks break down areas into different levels of risk, ranging from level 1 to 5, and are identified as marginal, slight, enhanced, moderate and high.
In case you were wondering, the outlooks are not forecasted at random. They are built by the SPC from probability forecasts given to tornadoes, hail, and wind individually.
An example of this would be when forecasting a tornado, factors, such as the probability of a tornado within 25 miles of a point and the size and intensity of potential tornadoes, are all considered.
These outlooks are just one of the many resources and tools meteorologists use to communicate severe weather forecasts while on air.
Even though high-risk days will make headlines, impactful severe storms could happen at any level of risk.
There is more to it than living by the colors you see on a map. It's all about using science and tools at our disposal to help you stay safe, weather aware and prepared for any impactful weather.
