Monday afternoon weather update

Widely scattered thunderstorms have developed with the heating of the day as temperatures reached 90 degrees for the fourth day in a row in Rockford.

While the severe threat remains low this evening, a few of the stronger thunderstorms have produced wind gusts to 50 mph and half inch sized hail.

Biggest threat with the thunderstorms this evening will be heavy rainfall.  Two approaching systems, one upper level disturbance from the south and a cold front to the west, will keep scattered storms in the forecast through midnight.  After that, the overall coverage of thunderstorms will decrease by Tuesday morning.

Rainfall totals could near an inch with some of the stronger downpours.  That's because the amount of available moisture we have in the atmosphere is nearing two inches!!  That's a lot!  Normal moisture amounts are around half an inch.

We'll hold on to that moisture Tuesday, which means any storms that develop will also be heavy rain producers.  The severe threat will slightly increase Tuesday, especially west closer to a second cold front and low pressure.  That threat will be from Minnesota to Iowa and southward.  Once the front passes Wednesday, the chance for rain will end until the upcoming weekend.