The entire area is under a flood watch. Tornado watch until 9 pm for counties close to the IL border. Greatest instability for strong to severe storms will be near the border
Our border counties have been upgraded to a moderate risk today. That’s level 4 out of 5. This area has the greatest chance for tornadoes this afternoon and early evening. The rest of the area remains in the enhanced. Please make sure you can get warnings.
The second round has the potential to be the strongest by the early evening; however, earlier storms could reduce some of the overall punch. It will be wait and see Thursday afternoon.
Tomorrow is a very complicated forecast. There could be two rounds of storms. The first would be during the late morning and early afternoon. If this lingers this would limit some of the instability for the second round by the evening.
The heart of the storms this afternoon will move through between 2 pm and 6 pm. Main threat will be damaging winds; however, rotation on the eastern side of the line could produce a brief spin up type of tornado.
Severe thunderstorm watch for the entire area until 7 pm. This intense line of storms could have pockets of 60 mph wind gusts. More warnings are expected in our area within the next hour.
There is a good chance for strong to severe storms during the heart of the afternoon. All modes will be possible. If those stoms steal the juice from the atmosphere, any late evening storms could be weaker. It all depends on the timing. Bottom line, be ready for warnings!
All modes of severe weather are possible on Wednesday. Ingredients will be there for strong to severe storms to produce damaging winds, hail, and isolated tornadoes by the late afternoon and through the evening.