Wednesday afternoon weather - Updates will continue throughout the day

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued Ogle and Lee counties until 4:30pm.  This storm will be capable of producing half dollar sized hail as well as wind gusts near 60 mph.  If you're in the track of this storm please remain indoors.

A PDS (Particularly Dangerous Situation) Tornado Watch has been issued for S. WI and N. IL until 9pm.  A significant severe weather event is likely going to unfold across the Stateline this afternoon.  A deepening low pressure system will track east along a warm front draped across the Wisconsin/Illinois border.  A very warm and very moist air mass should fuel strong thunderstorm updrafts which would support supercell development.  These storm cells are then expected to develop into a line of storms into the evening east of Rockford.  Initial storm threat with the individual storms will be the tornado threat and then turn into a damaging wind event.  Greatest storm threat will be from 4pm-8pm.







The Storm Prediction Center will upgrade parts of Northern Illinois to a high risk for severe weather going into the afternoon and evening for a significant damaging wind threat.  Click here for the discussion. Skies are beginning to clear out west and across the Mississippi River.  A warm front currently remains to the south of Rockford but with a fairly strong (for this time of year) low pressure system expected to move across Iowa this afternoon the front will begin to be pulled north and lie across the Wisconsin/Illinois state line.  A very warm and humid air mass will be lifted north with the front putting us at a high risk for severe storms this afternoon.

Supercell (individual storms) will be likely from early this afternoon near the Mississippi River and north-central Illinois - between 1pm-3pm.  These storms will be capable of producing strong damaging winds and large hail but there will also be an increased tornado threat along the warm front as winds will begin to change a little with height causing those storms to rotate.  These storms will then move near the Rockford Metro mid afternoon before developing into a line of storms this evening with a widespread damaging wind threat as they move east of I-39.

It's extremely important for you to remain alert of the changing weather this afternoon.  Have a way to receive watches and warnings if you're out and be sure to keep checking back for the latest information.  We'll provide another update early this afternoon.