Watching the Radar

Watching one storm just north of Belvidere this afternoon that has been sitting over the same spot.  Heavy rain, lightning and strong winds can be expected with this storm. 

(1:22:48 PM) nwsbot: LOT: Rockford [Winnebago Co, IL] broadcast media reports HAIL of pea size (E0.25 INCH) at 01:15 PM CDT -- near downtown rockford.

1:00pm Update:  Severe Thunderstorm Watch may be needed this afternoon as storms continue to develop in an unstable airmass. 
12:45pm Update: Storms will continue to develop through the afternoon and evening.  Storms that do develop will produce heavy rain, lightning, gusty winds and possibly hail.  Storms beginning to develop just southeast and east of the Rockford metro area this afternoon and will move north/northwest.  Also watching some storms in Dubuque Co, Iowa that may clip the western part of Jo Daviess County within the next hour or two.

Storms will continue to fire through the afternoon thanks to outflow boundaries from storms earlier this morning in Iowa - as we're already starting to see them develop in eastern Iowa early this afternoon.  While we're not looking at any too severe today, any storms that do develop will have the capability to produce gusty winds, heavy rain and hail.  Going to keep the thunder wording in the forecast tonight and Wednesday as a weakening cold front moves through during the late afternoon/evening hours.