Increasing Chance for Strong Storms

As you read in the previous blog post below, out threat for showers and thunderstorms increases today. We still hold onto a few isolated showers and storms this afternoon, with higher potential after midnight tonight. A line of storms that develop ahead of a cold front to our west will approach this evening and will move through the area, through early tomorrow morning.

We look to get a decent rain with this line, as a few pockets will feature heavier rain. The forecast still looks to hold for a fairly dry Wednesday afternoon, but it changes a bit for Wednesday night.

A strong shortwave of energy will approach the area overnight Wednesday, as more moisture and instability build in from the west. With these ingredients focused west of the area today, the severe weather risk will also stay west of the area. But as these ingredients approach, the bring a higher threat for stronger storms. Right now, the Storm Prediction Center has issued a slight risk to include northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. A few strong storms will be possible in those overnight hours, along with heavy rain potential. The highest risk for strong to severe storms will still be positioned over the central Plains, with an Enhanced risk issued through Kansas and Oklahoma.

In terms of rain totals over the next couple days, through Thursday morning we should see around an inch of rain. But, its possible for 1-2" across portions of the area through Friday morning. This is when the threat for rain will come to an end, with the passage of a cold front. Temperatures will fall into the lower 70's through the weekend behind the front.