The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center expects a slight chance for severe weather Tuesday to Wednesday. (Photo from the National Weather Service)

By Stephanie Pawlowski

BLOOMINGTON - The biggest threat from storms Tuesday evening will be heavy rains, flooding and straightline winds.

WMBD 31 Chief Meteorologist Marcus Bailey said the storms won't be widespread, but the I-55 corridor will get pockets of severe weather between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.

"A lot of the model projections are putting up to two inches, maybe even locally higher amounts of 2.5 inches of rainfall in a very short amount of time, and that's going to cause a lot of problems as far as flooding goes," Bailey said.

Rain will turn to snow Wednesday afternoon, but the morning drive shouldn't be affected by any slick roads.

"Anything that falls will have a tough time sticking. Even though temperatures will get below freezing around midday Wednesday, it's still going to take some time for anything to stick," Bailey said.

He projects between .2 and .5 inches of snow.

Record temperatures

Central Illinois flirted with record breaking temperatures Tuesday. Bailey said the record high in Normal recorded on a Jan. 29 was 63 degrees.

"The warmest temperature ever recorded in Central Illinois for the month of January was 71," Bailey said. "It is extremely rare to hit the 60's in January, and that's why we're seeing this active weather coming through."

Bailey said Central Illinois is experiencing a 40 to 60 degree swing in 48 hours.

Stephanie Pawlowski can be reached at Stephanie.Pawlowski@Cumulus.com