Climbing Heat and Humidity Thursday

Temperatures over the central Plains and parts of the Midwest warmed into the 90's Wednesday afternoon.  A warm front passing Wednesday night will bring a slight chance for showers and thunderstorms, but a significant warm up for Thursday afternoon.

Highs Thursday will warm into the upper 80's, possibly low 90's, over northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.  With the warmth, a rise in humidity will also be felt as the heat index reaches the mid 90's for many.  Other than a chance for an isolated shower/storm Thursday morning, it looks like most of the afternoon should remain dry - just hot.  As a cold front moves down the Midwest from Minnesota and Wisconsin, thunderstorms will quickly develop in the warm and unstable air mass.  A line of thunderstorms will be possible up north in Wisconsin during the late afternoon and evening.  As the front sinks south, a wind threat could develop over southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois by late Thursday evening.

The Stateline is under a slight risk for strong to severe thunderstorms late Thursday and Thursday night, primarily for damaging winds.  Make sure you stay updated with the forecast Thursday.  Heavy rainfall is also likely north over Wisconsin where anywhere from two, to three inches of rain could fall.