Flooding risk next week

I mentioned on the 6 p.m. newscast that we're going to be dealing with some flooding issues in the coming days. Part of the equation is what's already happened - we've had snowmelt here near Rockford as well as upstream in southern Wisconsin. The ground is rather saturated and won't take in more water. The second part of the equation is one that will arrive later Monday and last into Tuesday night - rain, perhaps heavy at times. Warm, moist air will come in with the warm front and ride over it, leading to rain.

The track of the low is still uncertain, but rain is very likely regardless. It appears a couple rounds of thunderstorms are possible, as well, since a little bit of instability will be trying to develop. If we do get thunderstorms to develop, they'll produce locally heavier rainfall, which could impact area rivers, depending on where exactly it falls.

Below are links to river gage data along the Rock, Kishwaukee, and Pecatonica Rivers. The blue dots indicate observed river levels, and the green marks indicate forecast river levels. Keep in mind that the forecast river levels ONLY account for precipitation that is expected to fall within 24 hours of when the river forecast was made. So that means that the forecast river levels do NOT factor in the rain expected for early this next week. So, river levels may be even higher than those predicted.

ROCK RIVER
Afton, WI
Rockton, IL
Rockford, IL
Byron, IL

KISHWAUKEE RIVER
Belvidere, IL
Perryville, IL

PECATONICA RIVER
Shirland, IL
Freeport, IL

Those who live or travel near these rivers should monitor the river stages and forecasts - and we'll pass along updates on flooding threats.