'Ring of Fire' Pattern Sets Up Over the Middle of the Country

An upper level ridge will hold strong over the Southwest this week as high pressure moves into the Midwest and Great Lakes. Northerly winds over Wisconsin and Illinois will keep moisture very limited with little opportunity for rainfall through the end of the week.

Instability in the atmosphere will build in the Southwest as thunderstorms develop along the outer edge of the ridge. This is what's known as a 'ring of fire' pattern. Storms will move through the northern and central Plains, especially during the evening and overnight, bringing heavy rainfall and potentially severe weather. 

Closer to the Stateline we'll be too far removed from the instability and strongest part of the ridge. This, along with high pressure, will keep rain chances limited for northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin through the end of the week.