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New classifications for severe weather forecasting

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Some new wording will be used to describe forecasting severe weather this season.

The Storm Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, has expanded on the convective outlooks during the severe weather season.

Convective outlooks are used to give several days notice of incoming severe weather.

There are now five classifications for severe weather forecasting in the days leading into a severe weather event.

Categories from least to greatest severity are marginal, slight, enhanced, moderate and high.

The two new categories that have been added this year are the marginal and enhanced outlooks.

Marginal is considered a very low end severe weather event, with a few isolated severe thunderstorms possible. In numeric terms, a marginal risk of severe weather would be around 5% probability of severe storms.

Enhanced is a higher end to the slight risk. This would equate to a 30% probability of severe storms in the enhanced outlook area.

If you would like to find out more information on the changes to the Storm Prediction Center convective outlooks, click here.