ZCZC SPCSWOMCD ALL ACUS11 KWNS 011813 SPC MCD 011813 MOZ000-KSZ000-012015- Mesoscale Discussion 0320 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0113 PM CDT Mon Apr 01 2024 Areas affected...Central/Eastern KS Concerning...Severe potential...Watch likely Valid 011813Z - 012015Z Probability of Watch Issuance...80 percent SUMMARY...Thunderstorms capable of large to very large (1" to 2.5") hail are possible across central and eastern KS this afternoon. A strong gust or two is also possible. DISCUSSION...Recent surface analysis places a low over northeast KS with a cold front extending southwestward from this low through south-central KS. Low-level stability remains within much of the region ahead of this front, where the surface conditions are characterized by temperatures in the low/mid 70s and dewpoints in the low 60s amid widespread cloud cover. Even so, steep mid-level lapse rates are in place and the combination of broad warm-air advection and ascent along the front is expected to result in convective initiation within the next hour or two. Given the initially elevated and embedded storm character, a somewhat messy storm mode is anticipated once initiation occurs. Even so, deep-layer vertical shear is quite strong, with recent mesoanalysis estimated 60 to 70 kt of 0-6 bulk shear. This shear is sufficient for updraft organization within in mature, deep updrafts. The presence of steep lapse rates will favor the development of large to very large hail (i.e. 1" to 2.5") within these mature and organized storms. Given the low-level stability and weak low-level shear, the tornado potential for the next few hours should remain low. However, further air mass destabilization and strengthening low-level flow over time may allow these storms to trend more surface based as they move eastward/northeast into MO, resulting in an increase tornado threat. ..Mosier/Thompson.. 04/01/2024 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product... ATTN...WFO...SGF...EAX...TOP...ICT... LAT...LON 37849748 39019596 39189492 38849439 38289427 37739441 37339466 37109498 36999567 37019691 37029750 37149833 37849748 NNNN