Big storms likely to the west; Storm threat remains for us

6:45pm Update: Other than a passing shower or two, the rest of the evening should remain dry.  It likely won't be until later tonight and overnight that storms will move in.


The overnight showers continue to move east and should be clearing the Rockford area around Noon and by 1pm for locations to the east.  In looking at the latest visible satellite imagery this morning there has been some clearing taking place across Iowa and northern Missouri so I do anticipate some filtered sunshine in here later this afternoon.  The storms that moved through overnight have pushed the stationary boundary a little further south but it will begin to pull northward as a fairly strong mid-level jet max (area of stronger winds aloft) moves into Kansas and Nebraska by mid-afternoon.  This will cause a surface low to slowly move out of Kansas and likely cause storms to rapidly develop across eastern Nebraska/Kansas and western Iowa.  The greatest risk for severe storms remains across that area this afternoon where a few strong tornadoes could be possible.  For us, assuming we get enough sunshine here during the afternoon, the front would help provide some of the lift needed to get a few storms going late afternoon and into the early evening.  Gusty winds, hail and even heavy rainfall would be the primary threats for us.