Strong to Severe Storms Possible Wednesday Evening

9:10pm Update: Scattered showers/isolated storms continue to move across northern Illinois while severe weather moves through west-central Illinois.  These storms will continue to move east into central Illinois, with the greatest severe weather risk remaining south of I-88 and I-80.

8:10pm Update: Heavy rain, isolated thunder, moving through Ogle County crossing over Highway 72.  This will lift into southern Winnebago County, impacting Rockford within the next 15 minutes.






 
7:50pm Update: Thunderstorms have become a little more scattered Wednesday evening.  Storms have not reached severe limits just yet but have produced very heavy rain, small hail and even strong wind gusts.

Strong southwest winds Wednesday afternoon brought temperatures area wide into the mid and upper 70s, with a few spots reaching 80 degrees!

Skies have been dry through much of the afternoon but an increasing threat for thunderstorms will occur after 7pm/8pm across much of northern Illinois.  Showers and thunderstorms have quickly developed to the southwest with a Tornado Watch issued for much of west-central Illinois and Missouri.  While I don't anticipate that watch to be extended further northeast into northern Illinois, storm coverage will increase between 7pm and 9pm.

These storms will develop in an environment with increasing instability and moisture later tonight.  Strong to severe storms will be possible between 9pm and Midnight with strong, damaging winds and large hail possible.  The line of storms will move out of the area after 3am Thursday with dry skies Thursday afternoon.

Make sure you have multiple ways to receive watches and warnings should severe weather occur.