Thursday Evening Weather Update

4:32:10 PM) nwsbot: Local Storm Report by NWS DVN: Cedarville [Stephenson Co, IL] trained spotter reports HAIL of pea size (M0.25 INCH) at 04:31 PM CDT --

Heaviest rainfall has been falling along and north of Highway 20 in Stephenson County.  Rainfall totals in that area will likely be closer to one inch where the heavier rainfall has been occurring the longest.  Additional showers will continue over Northern Illinois until the low passes later tonight.  Heavy rainfall will be the greatest threat.  Thunderstorms are now building south of Chicago.

Our First Warn Weather Watcher Tony Honchar in Freeport has recorded 0.35" of rain so far.  Heavier rainfall will produce totals close to half an inch.



Scattered showers and thunderstorms have developed ahead of a strong upper level low in southern Iowa.  Storms in eastern Iowa earlier in the afternoon produced pea sized hail, but as the rain moves into more of stable air mass over Northern Illinois the lightning strikes have diminished.  Still, heavy downpours and small hail will be the greatest threats through 8pm/9pm Thursday evening.  Severe weather is not expected.

Once the low passes late tonight the threat for rain will decrease.