Getting Going Early

Update 12:30pm = With the sunshine pouring down temperatures are already in the 70s and as you can see to the left, there is plenty of moisture to work with this afternoon. Dew points are into the 60s across our region, which basically is a bunch of fuel lying around for this cold front to work with. A line of thunderstorms is starting to develop in central Iowa and northern Missouri. This is going to be the area that the storms initiate from and move northeast into our area. The storm prediction center has already put out a discussion in regards to issuing a weather watch over the majority of northwestern Illinois. They went on to say that this watch (meaning the potential for severe weather) will be issued within the hour. The conditions are really coming together for some nasty weather late this afternoon.

Update 10:35am = All warnings have been allowed to expire. The back edge of these storms is now into Poplar Grove and Belvidere. We are entering into a brief lull in the activity, but that potentially could turn out to be a bad thing.

The image to the left is a visible image taken at 10:15am. Notice the pocket of relatively clear skies over eastern Iowa. This is certainly allowing the atmosphere to heat up and destabilize once more. This hole of sunshine should slide our way around lunchtime and early this afternoon. This may be a significant sign that some more big storms will develop later this afternoon.

Update 10:05am = A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING has been posted for eastern Rock County and northwestern Walworth County until 10:30am. This cell is capable of dumping nickel size hail.

Update 9:55am = A band of heavy rain is moving through Stephenson County at this time, and is headed into Winnebago County shortly. Rainfall amounts under this band could reach up to an inch in less than an hour.

Update 9:30am = A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING has been posted for Ogle County until 10:30am. This storm has been dropping marble to nickel size hail. It is moving northeast at 45 mph.

Update 8:55am = A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING has been posted for Carroll County until 9:30am. This storm is capable of producing nickel size hail and damaging winds up to 60 mph.

Update 8:30am = The storms have just crossed the Mississippi River. Numerous reports out of eastern Iowa have come out regarding heavy rainfall in this complex. A few reports of small hail and gusty winds have been reported as well, but this storm system is only marginally severe. It is starting to weaken slightly as it shifts into the Stateline. Look for these storms to move into the heart of our viewing area in the next 90 minutes. This activity will likely produce some heavy downpours and frequent lightning strikes. There is some clearing taking place in central Iowa, but it is a narrow band of cloud-free skies. Whether this clearing holds on and shifts our way remains to be seen. With this complex lasting into the late morning hours this may prohibit some of the instability this afternoon.

Original Post = A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH is already in place for Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll, and Whiteside County until noon. The thunderstorms in Iowa are capable of small hail, gusty winds, frequent lightning strikes, and heavy downpours. They are moving fairly slowly and probably won't hop the Mississippi River for another hour or two. Look for these storms to move into the region during the mid-morning hours. -ADAM