U.S. Sets Record for Tornado Days

The U.S. set a record last night for the most consecutive days with a tornado with 14 days! Between May 16 and May 29 there were 226 total tornadoes reported across the country, at least 46 of those were strong tornadoes meaning EF-2 or greater. The strongest of these tornadoes was the Linwood, KS tornado that took place on Tuesday the 28th. This tornado was rated an EF-4 with wind speeds up to 170 mph. Luckily, no fatalities resulted from this particular tornado.

Storm Coverage Increases Wednesday Night

Heavy rain producing thunderstorms are expected once again Wednesday night with rainfall totals possibly nearing one inch by Thursday morning.

Skies are quiet now but severe storms, with several tornado warnings, have been ongoing across eastern Iowa Wednesday evening.  I do not anticipate those storms to impact northern Illinois, however, storm coverage will increase over west-central Illinois between 9pm and 10pm and will move into northern Illinois between 11pm and 4am Thursday morning.

More of the focus for severe weather will remain to the west and southwest through the night, but a few stronger storms can't be ruled out with wind and hail being the primary concerns.  Heavy rain will be our biggest threat overnight with another inch of rain possibly falling by Thursday morning.

Scattered showers will move out by morning following the passage of low pressure mid-morning Thursday.  Following the low a cold front will move through during the afternoon and evening.  This will bring another chance for showers and thunderstorms before dry air moves in Thursday night.  This will lead to a mostly dry, and warm, day on Friday.

2019 Setting Records for Rainfall

The month of May has been one of the wettest ever in Rockford and 2019 is on track to be one of the wettest years on record.

So far, Rockford has experienced 7.48 inches of rain in the month of May alone. This currently stands as the fourth rainiest May ever. Showers and thunderstorms Wednesday night are expected to bump May of 2019 into the number 3 spot.

The year as a whole has seen 20.13 inches of rain in Rockford which is the third wettest year to date through May 29th since recordings began in 1905. With nearly an inch expected Wednesday night into Thursday, 2019 should become the second wettest year ever through May 30th.

Flash Flood Watch Issued

A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll, Whiteside, Ogle, Lee and DeKalb counties until Wednesday morning.

Heavy recent rainfall combined with the heavy rain expected Tuesday night could lead to localized flash flooding over parts of northern Illinois.  Incoming rain and thunderstorms Tuesday evening have produced anywhere from a tenth of an inch of rain in southern Wisconsin, to over half an inch in Freeport. 

While the rain has lightened up briefly Tuesday evening, moderate rain showers in eastern Iowa will continue to move east reaching northern Illinois between 10pm and 10:30pm.  Most of the rain should be out by 1am/2am Wednesday morning.

Severe thunderstorms have been ongoing further downstate will remain well south of the area tonight.  Flash Flood Warnings extend all the way from west-central Illinois back down through Kansas!

More Severe Weather Expected Tuesday

Similar to Monday's setup, a strong warm front moving into the Stateline region will bring more showers and thunderstorms late Tuesday.
As a trough in the jet stream continues to deepen in the Southwest U.S., a new low pressure system is starting to strengthen and will make its way across the Central Plains tomorrow. Its warm front will extend eastward from its center and influence weather here in the Rockford area. Humidity is expected to be extremely high tomorrow evening and as this warm front makes its way across the area, it's going to rapidly lift this warm, moist air into the atmosphere triggering strong to severe thunderstorms.
The primary concerns with these thunderstorms are going to be strong winds and heavy downpours, although hail is a possibility with these storms as well, especially along the leading edge of this system. The rain should begin to come through a little after 8PM and stick around through about 2AM.

May Continues to Bring Rain and Flood Risks

As the month of May continues to dump rainfall on Northern Illinois, many of the rivers in the area are at a high risk of flooding...once again.

So far in May, we've had only 6 days of 26 without experiencing rain in Rockford. This puts us at a total of 6.29 inches for the month through May 26th. This is exactly 3 inches above the normal monthly rainfall to date of 3.29 inches. Note that these totals don't even include the heavy downpours we experienced earlier this morning and afternoon (the 27th).

The storms that we experienced today have triggered a handful of flood warnings and flood advisories for many of the major rivers throughout Northern Illinois. Some of these rivers include the Rock, Pecatonica, Fox, Illinois, and Mississippi Rivers. More rain and thunderstorms are expected tomorrow (the 28th) and will bring these rivers closer to their flood stages.

Severe Threat Ending Monday Night

8:15pm Update: Had a report of a brief tornado touchdown 2 miles southwest of Paw Paw shortly after 4:30pm with a tornado warned storm that moved through southern Lee County earlier this afternoon.



The Tornado Watch that had been issued earlier Monday evening was canceled early for Carroll, Whiteside, Ogle, Lee and DeKalb counties.

Several tornado warnings had been issued for Carroll, Lee, Whiteside and Ogle counties Monday afternoon with reports of a rotating wall cloud and funnel cloud with the supercell storm that moved through Whiteside and Lee counties.  There have also been reports of tree and limb damage in Amboy and Sublette as the storm moved through, but so far no reports of any tornadoes touching down.

Isolated showers and thunderstorms possible through the rest of the evening, but the severe threat has ended.