Hot & humid Monday with severe chances arriving late

High heat, oppressive humidity, and storm chances. That continues to be the big weather headlines as we begin a new work week. 

Cloud cover left behind by yesterday's line of wind and flash flooding producing storms are clearing the area ahead of today's morning commute. 

This will leave us with sun-filled skies, allowing afternoon highs to return to the low 90s. Combine that with dew points in the mid to upper 70s and you get heat indices in the upper 90s and low 100s.

For this reason, the National Weather Service has placed Lee, Ogle DeKalb, Stephenson, Jo-Daviess, Whiteside, and Carroll County under a HEAT ADVISORY until 8PM this evening. 

Remember to implement heat safety by drinking plenty of fluids, wearing light clothing, and taking breaks in the shade or in a cool shelter. From there, our attention will then turn to yet a 3rd opportunity in as many days for strong complex of thunderstorms to pass through northern Illinois. 

In their early-morning outlook, the Storm Prediction Center shifted the level 3 of 5 Enhanced Risk slightly south to now include areas along and south of the Illinois/Wisconsin border. 

Late in the afternoon, forecast models show a well-defined M.C.S (Mesoscale Convective System) forming over eastern Iowa, shifting into northern Illinois by this evening. 

Timing would be between 5PM-10PM, with strong winds, flash flooding, and a few Q.L.C.S tornadoes being the biggest hazards. Not what you want to hear considering portions of the Stateline, including Rockford, has received the brunt of the action the past two days. Again, be sure to have multiple ways to receive severe alerts as well as to stay off the roads if flooding becomes a major concern.

Storm chances quickly settle down following the passage of this strong M.C.S, leaving us mostly cloudy as we go into Tuesday. It will take a few hours, but eventually skies will give way to some sun by Tuesday afternoon. 

An isolated thunderstorm cannot be ruled out early on in the day. However, the more organized threat for any thunderstorm development will be to our south along the frontal boundary. Afternoon highs will be closer to seasonable in the low 80s.