Quiet now...showers/storms later

11: 30am Update:  A band of showers continue to move north through Jo Daviess county likely producing some heavy rain.  There are also a few showers just south of Freeport which may move into Freeport within the next hour.


Showers and thunderstorms have developed in eastern Iowa ahead of a cold front that stretches through the eastern Plains.  As the front pushes east through the afternoon storms will increase in coverage across northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. 

The storms currently in eastern Iowa will continue to move north due to a southerly wind at the surface and aloft.  There have been a few pop-up showers/storms that have formed across far northwest Illinois and just recently near Dixon.  Some of those showers may grow enough to produce heavy rainfall.  Should thunderstorms move in later this afternoon there may be enough instability to produce small hail.  As the front pulls through the heavy rain threat will continue into Thursday morning.  We'll be keeping a watchful eye on the radars this afternoon so be sure to keep checking back for the latest updates.