River Levels Reach Moderate Flood Stage

Local rivers continue to rise with the recent heavy rainfall from the weekend.  The IDNR has closed the Rock and Pecatonica rivers to boat traffic until further notice, and boat launches throughout Winnebago County have also been closed.

The isolated storms that developed Tuesday afternoon did bring heavy downpours, but they were fairly brief and likely didn't contribute to the ongoing flooding along the local rivers.  But river levels continue to rise as more water drains into the river basin, causing many locations to reach minor & moderate flood stage.  Current forecasts have a few places along the Rock and Pecatonica River cresting in moderate flood stage, but very close to major flood stage.

The break in the rain will be brief as more is on the way for Wednesday, and possibly Thursday through Saturday.  Click here to stay up-to-date with the current river levels and forecasts.

If you live along any of the rivers make sure to continue to monitor forecasts, and potential rises on the river.  And should action need to be taken due to flooding, make sure to listen to authorities.  

More Rain on the Way - Flash Flood Watches Issued

A Flash Flood Watch has once again been issued for Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Carroll and Whiteside counties lasting through Midnight Thursday.  A short break in the rain, for most, occurred Tuesday afternoon as isolated showers and storms developed with the heating of the afternoon.

Skies will remain partly cloudy through the overnight as more widespread and heavy rain continues from Wisconsin back through Iowa. 

Those showers are forming along and ahead of a cold front that will move through northern Illinois by Wednesday afternoon.  Moisture from the Gulf will remain in plentiful supply causing more widespread, heavy rain to occur during the afternoon and evening.  It's possible another half an inch to an inch of rain could fall through Thursday morning. 

The cold front will then stall to the south, but just how far south is still in question.  Moisture from the remnants of Tropical Storm Gordon (ready to make landfall Tuesday evening along the Gulf shoreline) will lift north, interacting with the front later this week.  This could mean very heavy rain, possibly over five inches, could occur for parts of Missouri, Iowa and Illinois.  Should the front move a little further north the chance for a widespread, multi-day heavy rain event will increase across northern Illinois.  If

the heaviest rain remains to the south, it will help some of the drought stricken areas of Iowa, Missouri and Illinois.  If it falls north, however, river flooding will worsen as many rivers are at minor flood stage, expected to reach moderate flood stage within the next couple of days.

Storms Monday Produce Funnel Clouds, Brief Tornado

The overall severe threat was low Monday afternoon, but a stronger storm that moved through Ogle and Winnebago counties did produce two funnel clouds and a brief, weak tornado near Rock Cut State Park. The storm began to show signs of rotation near Adeline and Leaf River producing two funnel clouds, one of which was reported almost near the ground.

The storm moved over the town of Winnebago before lifting north of downtown Rockford.  It was north of Harlem and Perryville Roads near Rock Cut State Park where the report of the brief tornado occurred.  So far no significant damage has been reported.

(9:42:59 PM) nwsbot: Local Storm Report by NWS LOT: Adeline [Ogle Co, IL] trained spotter reports FUNNEL CLOUD at 03 Sep, 02:25 PM CDT -- spotter video of a brief rotating funnel down at least three-quarters of the way to the ground.

(9:42:59 PM) nwsbot: Local Storm Report by NWS LOT: 4 NNE Leaf River [Ogle Co, IL] trained spotter reports FUNNEL CLOUD at 02:49 PM CDT -- brief funnel cloud at least half way to the ground.

(4:10:08 PM) nwsbot: Local Storm Report by NWS LOT: N Loves Park [Winnebago Co, IL] amateur radio reports TORNADO at 03:58 PM CDT -- confirmed tornado touchdown from two spotters. tornado on ground for approximately 1 minute. north of harlem and perryville roads in rock cut state park. possible tree damage in the park.

Flooding Taking Place on Local Rivers

Another Flash Flood Watch has been issued for northern Illinois through Midnight Tuesday.  The rain that occurred Monday morning and afternoon wasn't quite as heavy as past days, but still heavy enough to cause ponding on the roads and drainage ditches to fill up.  The overall coverage of the thunderstorm activity is expected to decrease Monday evening and night as a ridge of high pressure lifts further north of Illinois.  This will work to shift the higher storm coverage to the north, and focus it more over Wisconsin during the afternoon on Tuesday.

With many areas receiving nearly five to six inches of rain over the past 48 hours, local rivers and creeks have gone up quite a bit, reaching 'action' and even 'minor' flood stage at various locations.  Rivers are forecast to crest in minor flood stage, with some close to moderate flood stage, by the end of the week.

If you'd like to monitor river levels and rainfall forecasts, click here: Local river levels

Labor Day Weather Update

A line of rain showers and thunderstorms has is moving into Wisconsin after passing through the Rockford area a little bit ago. While this may be the highest concentration of rain showers and thunderstorms that we will see today, there are still some others developing further to the southwest.

Taking a look at the current radar and satellite, we see rain showers and thunderstorms developing back to the west in extreme western Illinois and eastern Iowa. Most of these rain showers and thunderstorms are moving to the northeast, and the vast majority of them will stay to the west of Interstate 39.

However a few of these rain showers and thunderstorms could potentially make their way into the area again late this morning and during the afternoon hours. A warm front is currently moving north of our area, and in doing so it will usher in some more humid and warmer air into the area.

Once we get the current round of rain showers to move out of the area, there is a possibility that the clouds could decrease a little bit (and for a little bit) during the mid-afternoon. Should that occur, it leaves the possibility open for additional rain showers and thunderstorms to develop before sunset.

After sunset, the majority of the rain showers and thunderstorms will diminish and taper off across the area, but given the amount of moisture in the atmosphere (among a few other things) a stray rain shower or thunderstorm remains possible throughout the overnight and even into the day tomorrow.

Our next round of rain showers and thunderstorms will develop and enter into the area late Tuesday Night/Wednesday Morning.

-Timothy Albertson

Heavy Rainfall and Localized Flash Flooding Possible through Monday Morning

Over the past 24-36 hours, radar estimates of 3-6 inches of rain has fallen over parts of northern Illinois, with an additional 1-2 inches falling Sunday evening and night.  Flash Flood Watches continue for parts of northern Illinois until Monday.


(8:05:23 PM) nwsbot: Local Storm Report by NWS DVN: 4 NNE Stockton [Jo Daviess Co, IL] trained spotter reports HEAVY RAIN of M1.14 INCH at 08:01 PM CDT -- 3 hour rainfall total. 6.39 inches has fallen in the last 36 hours.

A line of thunderstorms extending from near Elkhorn, WI to Forreston, IL will continue to move east around 30-35 mph.  Non-severe at the moment, but gusty winds will be felt ahead of the main line.  These storms have been very efficient at producing heavy rainfall, as seen with the storm report below.  Biggest threats remain heavy rainfall, followed by a lower end strong wind threat through Sunday evening.


 (6:47:22 PM) nwsbot: Local Storm Report by NWS DVN: Freeport [Stephenson Co, IL] trained spotter reports HEAVY RAIN of M1.00 INCH at 06:46 PM CDT -- 30 minute rainfall.



A Flash Flood Watch has been issued once again for the following counties in Illinois: Jo Daviess, Carroll, Whiteside, Stephenson, Winnebago, Ogle, Boone and McHenry.  While most of Sunday afternoon was dry and warm, thunderstorms are increasing in coverage from the northwest.  Storms over northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin were severe, producing damaging wind gusts, but locally our overall severe threat remains low.  A few of the stronger storms could produce locally strong winds, but heavy rainfall remains the biggest concern.

Thunderstorms Saturday night produced anywhere from one to three inches of rain.  An additional one to three inches of rain could occur between Sunday evening and early Monday morning.  A lot of rain soaked areas had quite a bit of standing water from Saturday night's thunderstorms and will likely experience more through Monday.  Localized flash flooding is possible.

Flash Flood Watch through Sunday - Heavy Rainfall Likely

Flood Advisory issued for Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Ogle, Lee and DeKalb counties until early Sunday morning.  Radar estimates of two to three inches of rain has fallen in those areas.  With additional rain and thunderstorms expected overnight, localized flooding will be possible.




 
 

Severe Thunderstorm Warning canceled for Ogle and Winnebago counties, but wind gusts to 45mph remain possible as the storm moves into northern Winnebago County.

 Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Ogle and Winnebago counties until 11:45pm.  Severe Thunderstorm is currently located north of Mt. Morris, near Forreston, and moving to the northeast at 35 mph.  Wind gusts to 60 mph will be possible.  Seek shelter, indoors and away from windows until the severe storm passes.

Additional strong thunderstorms over northwest Illinois are moving to the northeast and could produce wind gusts to 40 mph. 









A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for all of northern Illinois through 7am Sunday morning.  Heavy rain producing thunderstorms moved through early Saturday, bringing anywhere from one to two inches of rain for some.  As additional thunderstorms develop through the holiday weekend, flooding may become an issue for parts of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Thunderstorms have already developed, stretching from near Sterling to Genoa, Saturday evening with frequent lightning and heavy downpours.  The overall severe threat will remain low, but some of the stronger storms could produce locally strong wind gusts and small hail.

Stronger thunderstorms have been developing over central and southeast Iowa with numerous severe thunderstorm warnings, and even a tornado warning.  Look for storm coverage to increase across northern Illinois through Midnight, before shifting to the north by daybreak Sunday.  The heavy rain won't be something everyone in the area experiences, but where the rain does occur another one to two inches could occur.