4PM UPDATE: Scattered showers and storms are continuing to move northeastward towards the region. In fact, some rain is already being reported in western Jo Daviess County. The storms will likely affect the region from 5pm until 9pm this evening. Damaging wind gusts to 60mph and isolated hail to 1" in diameter are the main threats with this line of storms. Will everyone see a severe storm? No. Are they a possibility this evening? Yes. 
It is advised that you prepare for rapidly changing conditions as these storms are moving in quickly. There have already been reports of small hail, damaging wind gusts and associated damage, and even a funnel cloud out of eastern Iowa as of 4pm.
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A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for parts of the Stateline through 9pm Saturday evening. Thick cloud cover from the morning has been gradually thinning with the heating of the afternoon and is causing the atmosphere to become unstable. Low pressure and an approaching front from the west has caused thunderstorms to quickly develop over northern Missouri and southern Iowa. The general motion of these is from south to north, but an increase in storm coverage may occur over far western and NW Illinois by 4pm/5pm.
The image to the left is a simulated (forecast) radar image at 6pm Saturday afternoon. Likely scenario will be for a broken line of thunderstorms to develop and track north/northeast through supper-time.Be on the lookout for changing weather conditions later today and to bring any outdoor activities indoors if the skies become dark.
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