Severe Weather Potential Today

After old man winter paid us a visit yesterday, windy conditions made their way in overnight last night into this morning. Wind gusts topped out between 40 to 45 mph in most spots across the Stateline. Our top reports came in from Sterling, Rockford, and Janesville with an observed wind gust of 43 mph. As we continue on into our Thursday, winds will still be packing a punch gusting between 25 to 30 mph!

Aside from the blustery conditions, storms are likely this afternoon and evening. We are currently seeing the first wave of thunderstorms move through this morning. Frequent lightning has been reported as well as pea-sized hail in Dekalb County! Heading into this evening, there is the potential for storms that could be strong or even exceed the severe category.

The Storm Prediction Center out in Norman, OK has placed Dekalb, Lee, parts of Ogle, and Whiteside counties under a slight risk (yellow) which is the 2nd lowest category for severe weather. The rest of the Stateline could see a marginal severe weather threat.

A warm front associated with a potent low pressure system will lift into northern Illinois this afternoon. Once it does, we will placed under what is known as the "warm sector" of the low pressure system. After a chilly start, this will temperatures rise into the mid to upper 50's as we head into this evening. With the thunderstorms that form along the warm front, some could take on some rotation which could lead to a low tornado and hail threat.

There will be a chance for thunderstorms around the evening commute. However, the co-main event won't move through till around sunset. Then, another line of storms, or the main event, will form ahead of a strong cold front. The storms with this front will be linear, meaning that they will merge into a line of thunderstorms. The biggest hazard we can see with these storms will be damaging winds and heavy downpours.