Storm threat Tuesday

3:30pm Update: The cold front stretches from central Wisconsin through northeast Illinois this afternoon.  Temperatures continue to rise but the moisture (low dew points) remains fairly limited.  Either way, there have been some towering cumulus clouds that have developed on the southern edge of the front in Iowa and these may continue to grow to a few thunderstorms by 5pm.  Widespread severe weather is not anticipated but some of the stronger storms will be capable of strong gusty winds and possibly hail.

Gusty southerly winds and full sunshine early Tuesday will help temperatures reach the mid 80s by this afternoon.  Clouds will begin to build later today ahead of a cold front forecast to move through around 6pm or 7pm.  Along and ahead of the front isolated thunderstorms will likely begin to build in Wisconsin due to daytime heating.  While the heat will be in place for storm development, we'll be lacking major upper level support as well as deep moisture; dew points are only expected to rise into the lower 50s.

As the front pulls through I would expect a few thunderstorms to build along and ahead of the front, roughly after 4pm.  Storms that do form will be driven by the heating of the day so shortly after the sun sets tonight the storm threat should diminish.  Drier air above will create a threat for hail as well as gusty winds with any of the storms that do form.  The Storm Prediction Center as highlighted southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois under a slight risk for stronger to severe thunderstorms late afternoon and evening.  Updates will be provided here throughout the day so be sure to keep checking back.