Severe storms possible Wednesday afternoon, strong winds and snow to follow

For the 2nd time in a week, a potent area of low pressure is scheduled to sweep across the central U.S, bringing with it a variety of impacts. Locally, severe weather, strong winds, and accumulating snow is all on the table over the next 24 hours. 

Let's begin with the severe potential. In their latest round of severe outlooks, the Storm Prediction Center pushed the Level 2, Slight Risk further north to now include Rockford, Belvidere, and Freeport. This puts S. Wisconsin under a Level 1, Marginal Risk. Further to our south (I-80 south), areas have been placed under a level 3, Enhanced Risk.

  

Ahead of the main surface low, a round of showers and storms will pass through during the mid to late morning hours. This will be scattered and elevated in nature, only posing a risk for small hail. A period of mixed sunshine is likely to follow during the early to mid-afternoon hours, which will allow the atmosphere to destabilize or re-energize.

 

The one thing we will have to watch is the position of the low and associated warm front. Forecast models place the warm front just south of highway 20 and south of the front is where the best ingredients will reside for strong to severe storms. 

North of the front, not so much as winds will be cooler out of the northeast. Storms that do manage to form this afternoon and evening will pose a risk for damaging winds and a few tornadoes.

Again, make sure to have multiple ways to receive watches and warnings this afternoon. Once the low is located to our east, cooler northerly winds on the backside of it will help transition rain to wet snow overnight into Thursday. Be on the lookout for slippery spots tomorrow morning. Any chance for snow should come to an end before midday, leaving us to dry out Thursday afternoon. Temperatures will be much cooler, landing in the low 40s.

As previously discussed, strong winds will be once again a headline locally, especially overnight tonight into Thursday morning. Peak winds could be as high as 45 MPH. For that, the National Weather Service has placed the entire area under a WIND ADVISORY. For Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, Lee, DeKalb, and McHenry Counties, this will run from 10PM Wednesday to 7AM Thursday. For Carroll, Whiteside, Jo-Daviess, and Stephenson Counties, this will run from 7PM Wednesday to 7AM Thursday.