ATLANTA, GEORGIA — Two separate Level 2 severe weather risks are in place today, Sunday, July 12. The first covers parts of the Carolinas and Georgia, where a cold front and instability will trigger multicells capable of severe wind gusts. The second targets southern Arizona, where steep low-level lapse rates are fueling the potential for severe downbursts.
Level 2 Risk Near Atlanta Targets Multicell Wind Threat
The Level 2, Slight, risk zone across the Southeast covers a pocket near Atlanta, where a cold front interacting with instability is expected to trigger multicell thunderstorms capable of producing severe wind gusts today. This area represents the highest risk level within the broader Southeast outlook.
Surrounding this core zone, a wider Level 1, Marginal, risk extends from Dallas and Houston through the Southeast, including St. Louis, reflecting a lower but still present chance of isolated severe storms across the region.
Southern Arizona Sees Rare Second Level 2 Risk
In an unusual dual setup, a separate Level 2 risk covers a corridor across southern Arizona near Phoenix, where steep low-level lapse rates are fueling the potential for severe downbursts today. This marks the second time in recent days that Arizona has seen an elevated Level 2 designation, a notably uncommon occurrence for the region.
The Arizona risk zone stretches in a narrow band, reflecting the specific terrain-driven setup that allows storms developing over higher elevations to produce strong downburst winds as they move into the lower deserts.
Isolated Storms Also Possible Across Southern Plains and Great Lakes
Beyond the two Level 2 zones, isolated severe storms remain possible across a broader footprint spanning the Southern Plains, the Southeast, and the western Great Lakes, including areas near Minneapolis. This wider Marginal risk area reflects scattered potential for strong to severe storms outside the two primary threat zones…