Incoming cold front stirs up gust winds, isolated severe threat

Isolated Strong to Severe:

We've got quite the day on tap across the Stateline. A  warm-up will push temperatures into the upper 70s, but it won't come without some impacts. Along with gusty non-thunderstorm winds up to 40mph, we'll be monitoring the potential for isolated strong to severe storms starting after midday. Now, it's a low risk since instability or storm fuel lacks greatly. This is why the Storm Prediction Center has left areas east of Monroe, Freeport, and Davenport under a level 1 of 5 Marginal Risk for severe weather, with hail and strong winds being the main concerns.   

On the other hand, strong non-thunderstorm winds will also be on the table today. This is all thanks to a tighter pressure gradient developing as a strong storm system passes to our north, allowing a cold front to slide through during the evening. On top of that, a well-mixed atmosphere with warmer air building in will allow stronger winds just above the surface to mix down. This will result in frequent gusts pushing 35 to 40 mph, mainly during the afternoon. 

Breezy, Cooler Wednesday:

The timing of the cold front sets up a cooler outlook for the middle of the work week. This is where we will see our coolest afternoon high of the 7-day, with highs being limited to the low 60s. Winds won't be as strong but still noticeable, gusting up to 30 mph during the overnight hours and on Wednesday.  

  

Temperatures Surge:

Again, Wednesday looks to be the coolest day of this stretch as we look to turn things around before the weekend. As we head into Thursday and Friday, winds shift more out of the southwest, opening the door for warmer air to surge back in. That change in flow will allow temperatures to rebound nicely, with highs climbing into the upper 70s by Friday and then potentially low 80s Saturday. It's the sustained warmth that many have been waiting for.