Warmth and storms this week

Noon Update:   Slight risk still remains for thunderstorms later this afternoon.  Early morning thunderstorm complex continues to move east through Wisconsin bringing heavy rainfall, gusty winds and hail.  A few light showers could still be possible early this afternoon with a few sunny breaks possible later today.  There is some clearing behind the clouds out towards western Iowa and temperatures there have soared into the 70s and even 80s.  There is still the possibility that some redevelopment may occur later this afternoon and evening, but I think the atmosphere will remain capped through the better part of the day.  If we were to see any storms develop it likely wouldn't be until evening as the warm front moves closer and the cap starts to break down.  Gusty winds and hail still look to remain the primary threats, should storms occur.  This will be something we'll have to watch fairly closely going into the afternoon.


(11:30:33 AM) nwsbot: MKX: Janesville [Rock Co, WI] law enforcement reports HAIL of half inch size (M0.50 INCH) at 11:25 AM CDT -- rock county sheriff deputy reports marble size hail near intersection of highway 11 and highway d.

11:00 am Update:  One particular cell now moving just southwest of Brodhead in Green county will continue to move northeast around 35 mph.  Hail up to dime size could be possible with this cell as it moves into Rock County in southern Wisconsin.

10:40 am Update:  Already hearing some rumbles of thunder this morning; look for a few storms to move through the Rockford metro within the next 15 minutes.

10:10 am Update:  Showers with a few embedded thunderstorms have developed out ahead of a storm system in eastern Iowa, across northwest Illinois.  Look for heavy rainfall and maybe even small hail with any of the storms as they move through.  Once this initial band passes, storms could redevelop again later this afternoon.                                      

7:00 am Update: A cluster of thunderstorms continue to move east out of Minneapolis this morning and into Wisconsin producing gusty winds, heavy rainfall and hail.  We'll watch for any further southward development along this line or any storms that may fire up in eastern Iowa this morning.  These storms are riding over top a ridge of high pressure that extends all the way into the northern Plains.

An area of low pressure currently in central Nebraska will continue to strengthen and move east through the afternoon lifting a warm front closer to northern Illinois.  As the warm front moves closer, storms could redevelop along the front as mild and moist air lifts into the Great Lakes.  The one thing that may prevent any storms from developing would be the already very mild air in place several thousand feet above.  This may act as a cap, or lid, on the atmosphere.  However, if storms were to develop the threat would be there for gusty winds as well as hail.  The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted parts of the area in a slight risk for later this afternoon.  We'll continue to keep you updated throughout the morning and afternoon so be sure to keep checking back.