NWS Storm Center Overhauls Tornado Map Warnings

The agency is introducing new visual tiers to better communicate the intensity of severe weather threats across the U.S.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Prediction Center (SPC) is updating its forecast maps to better communicate the intensity of severe weather, introducing new visual tiers that clarify how dangerous storms may become. The changes will separate the chance of seeing a storm from the power of that storm, allowing forecasters to more clearly signal extreme severe weather threats.

Why it matters

The NWS is responsible for tracking and forecasting severe weather threats across the contiguous United States. These changes to their mapping system will help the public better understand the potential severity of storms and make more informed decisions about how to prepare and stay safe.

The details

Under the new system, the agency's usual categories denoting the chance for severe weather—Marginal, Slight, Enhanced, Moderate and High—will remain the same. However, the black hatching used to indicate storm intensity will now have three new tiers: Level 1 indicates significant severe weather is possible, Level 2 signals a dangerous environment capable of producing intense tornadoes or very large hail, and Level 3 is reserved for historic outbreak-level intensity such as violent tornados or intense derechos. This will allow forecasters to communicate the risk without requiring a 10% coverage threshold as before.

  • The NWS has been experimenting with these outlook modifications since 2021.
  • The changes are being formally implemented and released to the public this week.

The players

National Weather Service (NWS)

The federal agency responsible for tracking and forecasting severe weather threats across the contiguous United States.

Storm Prediction Center (SPC)

The division of the NWS that is located in Norman, Oklahoma and is responsible for issuing severe weather outlooks and warnings.

Evan Bentley

A warning coordination meteorologist at the NWS Storm Prediction Center who announced the changes in a video posted to social media.

Liz Leitman

An outlook forecaster at the NWS Storm Prediction Center who explained the details of the new intensity tiers.

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What they’re saying

“Instead of telling you 'yes, there is a risk,' we can tell you the risk [in a given area] is extreme. It separates the chance of seeing a storm from the power of that storm. It's a smarter way to be prepared and stay safe.”

— Evan Bentley, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, NWS Storm Prediction Center (Newsweek)

“When no intensity area is present, we're communicating that the vast majority of severe weather is expected to be lower-end severe.”

— Liz Leitman, Outlook Forecaster, NWS Storm Prediction Center (Newsweek)

What’s next

Forecasters are warning that stretches of the U.S. could see multiple days of severe storms in the week ahead, with an Enhanced Risk (level 3 out of 5) expected to peak on Friday.

The takeaway

These changes to the NWS's severe weather mapping system will provide the public with clearer, more actionable information about the potential intensity of storms, helping them make more informed decisions about how to prepare and stay safe during dangerous weather events.