Strong storms possible this morning and then again this evening

The first of two chances for strong to severe storms will push through this morning. For the most part, it looks like most of this activity will wind up north of the Illinois/Wisconsin border, posing a risk for strong damaging winds and large hail. 

Once the warm front lifts to our north, storm chances will significantly drop, leaving warm, windy, and fairly dry for Friday afternoon. Southwest winds will remain gusty, allowing temperatures to warm into the upper 70s, close to 80 degrees. The last time we even saw warmth like this, 16 days ago on April 2nd where Rockford peaked at 71 degrees. Now, this rise in temperatures will put a cap, or lid, on the atmosphere, hence the dry afternoon. 

From there, all eyes will be on the cold front as scattered storms may, keyword MAY tag along with it as it sweeps through this evening. In their latest round of severe outlooks, the Storm Prediction Center continues to keep most of the region under a level 2, Slight Risk for severe weather. 

IF storms manage to form overhead, damaging winds and large hail will be the biggest severe concerns. It does look like however the cap will end up being too much for redevelopment, leaving the better chance for strong to severe storms to our south and east. If you have any plans this evening or early tonight, keep an eye on things. Once the cold front is through, storm chances once again drop and so do our temperatures, leaving us in the upper 40s by Saturday morning.

High pressure slides in behind the departing system, resulting in a dry start to Easter weekend. Afternoon highs will end up much cooler because of tonight's frontal passage, landing near 60 degrees. This dry stint aims to extend into East Sunday, though rain chances will be quick to slide in during the afternoon and evening. Highs cool even further, ending up closer to the 50 degree mark.