National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Excessive Rainfall and Potential Tropical Cyclone in the South; Severe Thunderstorms in the Midwest

Excessive rainfall may produce locally considerable flash flooding over parts of the northwestern Gulf Coast, lower Mississippi River Valley, and Deep South through Thursday. Potential Tropical Cyclone One is forecast to become a tropical storm (Arthur) as it moves along or just off the northwestern Gulf coast through Wednesday. An outbreak of severe weather is forecast in the Midwest Wednesday. Read More >

Surface to 1km Lapse Rate

A lapse rate is the rate of temperature change with height. The faster the temperature decreases with height, the "steeper" the lapse rate and the more unstable the atmosphere becomes. Values less than 5.5-6.0 degrees C/km represent stable conditions, while values near 9.5 degrees C/km are considered unstable. Between these values, lapse rates are considered conditionally unstable, meaning that it may become unstable if enough moisture is present. For more information on lapse rates, please click here.