SPC MD 2397

MD 2397 CONCERNING SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 691...692... FOR EASTERN ARIZONA AND WESTERN NEW MEXICO Mesoscale Discussion 2397 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1107 AM CDT Thu Oct 22 2026 Areas affected...Eastern Arizona and western New Mexico Concerning...Severe Thunderstorm Watch 691...692... Valid 221607Z - 221730Z The severe weather threat for Severe Thunderstorm Watch 691, 692 continues. SUMMARY...Threat for a mix of supercells and storm clusters will spread eastward from Arizona into New Mexico by this afternoon. A new watch will likely be needed downstream into New Mexico, with the potential for local watch extensions farther west into central AZ. DISCUSSION...Scattered thunderstorms, a few with supercell structures, continue across central and eastern AZ, with the stronger storms focused near the edge of the higher terrain. Convection will likely persist into the afternoon as forcing for ascent develops eastward/northeastward in advance of a midlevel trough over southern CA that will begin to eject east-northeastward. Cloud breaks will contribute to destabilization farther northeast with time across AZ/NM, in an environment with long hodographs favoring splitting su...