Update: Sunday Weather

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for northern Jo Daviess and northwest Stephenson counties until 9:15 pm

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for far northwest Jo Daviess county until 7:45 pm

6:00 pm Update:  Tornado Watch issued for Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll, Whiteside, Winnebago, Ogle, Lee, Green and Rock counties until midnight

5:00 pm Update:  While we have been cloudy most of the day the warm front has lifted to our north allowing temperatures to make it into the upper 60s and low 70s.  A severe weather watch will likely be needed for parts of the area later this evening as the cold front is currently moving through central Iowa.  Still looking at the greatest threat for damaging winds and hail this evening.  Even though the greatest threat for tornadoes appears to remain to the south, it still can't be ruled out later tonight.

A slight risk for severe weather still exists for the forecast area for later this afternoon and evening.

A strong area of low pressure currently sits in northwest Iowa as of the noon hour with a warm front stretching just south of the area.  A warm layer a couple thousand feet above the surface will likely prevent storms from forming until late this afternoon into the early evening until the cold front nears.  There are already a few breaks in the cloud cover to the west and southwest so we will likely see some sunshine later this afternoon.  South of the low temperatures are already rising into the 70s with dew points in the upper 50s across Iowa.  This will be the area we'll be watching throughout the afternoon for thunderstorm development.  While the greatest tornado threat has been shifted south of the forecast area, there could still be enough wind shear along the warm front that we can't rule out an isolated tornado.  The main threats for us will likely be damaging winds, hail and heavy rainfall as the individual storms form into a line and move east through the evening and overnight. 

Anyone with plans later today will need to monitor the weather.  We'll continue to keep you updated throughout the day as Chief Meteorologist Ty Shesky, Eric Nefstead and myself will be in the weather center.