Big time heat could lead to big time storms

7:55pm Update: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains for Green county in Wisconsin and Jo Daviess county in Illinois until 11pm.  Severe storms crossed the Mississippi River early this evening and are now entering into southwest Wisconsin with numerous severe thunderstorm warnings along with a tornado warning for Grant county in Wisconsin.  The general motion of these storms will be to the east/southeast.  While they may weaken some it's possible they may begin to bow out closer to the stateline.  Damaging wind gusts would be primary concern especially for northwest Illinois.  Look for storms to enter into Green and Rock counties by 8:30pm and far northern Illinois by 9pm.


A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Jo Daviess county until 11pm tonight.  The watch extends up through Wisconsin and Minnesota.  Big storms will likely remain north this evening.

2:00pm Update:  A severe thunderstorm watch will likely be issued for sections of western Wisconsin, Minnesota and northeastern Iowa as storms are expected to develop around 3pm or 4pm.  The atmosphere continues to destabilize ahead of a weak front and with such an unstable environment I wouldn't be surprised to see storms develop fairly quickly this afternoon to the north.   We'll continue to track any development to the north for a potential impact on the immediate area later this evening and overnight.

A strong cold front will move through early Wednesday afternoon not only bringing an end to the heat and humidity but also could bring a few big thunderstorms.  The flow within the jetstream remains quick from west to east across the Plains and Midwest this afternoon.  With ample sunshine today and plenty of moisture in place instability will continue to build across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.  While the main weather player remains in the northern Plains, there are a few weak and subtle disturbances moving within the jetstream  The first looks to move through southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin later this afternoon bringing the threat for severe storms to that area around 6pm or 7pm.  There are some indications that those storms may move south and affect parts of southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois around 9pm tonight.  Further development with storm activity will be likely in the Plains late this evening ahead of the main low and cold front and could be just to the west by sunrise Wednesday as an MCS (cluster of storms) develop. 

As the front moves east Wednesday morning the threat for storms will increase by the afternoon across northern Illinois.  Despite being removed from the main forcing with the upper level low storms will remain capable of damaging wind gusts as well as hail across the immediate area. 

One important note to make is there have been a few smaller scale models that have been advertising stronger storms to the north in Wisconsin near the upper level low and in central Illinois closer to the deeper moisture.  If this were to pan out it would mean the worst would be just to the north and south of us.  Updates will continue tonight as well as Wednesday morning.  Be sure to tune in tonight to catch Meteorologist Brandon Arnold's forecast on the WTVO News at 5, 6 and 10pm and on FOX at 9pm.