Warmer Temperatures Welcome in May but Could Bring an Increasing Storm Threat

Back to back 70 degree days sure felt nice!  Highs on Tuesday once again warmed into the low to mid 70's, nearly ten degrees above average.  An incoming cold front Tuesday evening will bring a few more clouds with it, but an overall dry forecast.  In fact, it looks pretty dry heading into the weekend and early next week - when temperatures could warm close to 80 degrees.

But the warmth will come with an increasing threat for showers and thunderstorms over the Plains and Midwest.  High pressure will anchor itself over the Southeast by Sunday afternoon as a deepening dip (trough) in the jet stream develops over the west.  The counter-clockwise spin around the Low and clockwise spin around the High will work together to bring temperatures up into the 70s and 80s over much of the middle of the country next week. 

As the dip in the jet stream moves east of the Rockies Monday and Tuesday an increasing chance for severe thunderstorms will be possible over the Plains and Mississippi River Valley.  Thunderstorms could come close to northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, but it all depends on the overall track of the low pressure and just how far north the warmth will extend into next week.  Storm chances will increase beyond Tuesday and Wednesday of next week before temperatures look to cool off once again.