By WMBD TV
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A strong storm system is set to roll across the Midwest Wednesday, bringing another volatile storm setup to Central Illinois.
Wednesday Severe Threat
What We Know
- Multiple rounds of storms to impact the region
- Ingredients in place for significant severe weather
- This includes an elevated tornado risk
- Severe threat maximizes in the afternoon and evening
Questions That Remain
- Northward extent of the warm front
- This directly impacts location of higher tornado threat
- Timing of greatest severe threat
Before we talk about Wednesday, we’ll briefly mention that areas along and east of Interstate 55 are in a Level 1 (out of 5) risk on Tuesday. A cold front will bring scattered showers and a few storms to the area. With the front passing during the morning, most of the thunderstorms will develop east of the area tomorrow afternoon.
Our area, however, should see mostly sunny conditions return after the passing morning showers.
Wednesday is a different story. The Storm Prediction Center has placed a Level 3 (out of 5) risk for most of Central Illinois that day.
All severe weather hazards are possible. In particular, this setup has potential to produce multiple tornadoes in Illinois, and some could be strong.
We don’t know yet where the warm front will set up. This would likely be somewhere close to Interstate 74. If it ends up further south, that could spare our area from the worst of the severe weather.
Along with the severe weather threats, flooding may become an issue if we end up with several bouts of storms.
The NOAA Weather Prediction Center places most of the area in a slight risk for excessive rainfall. Areas with repeated rounds of storms could see 2 to 4 inches of rain. The highest rain amounts for now are favored north of I-74.
Once we get beyond Wednesday, the weather should be much quieter on Thursday and Friday.
Stay close to the forecast as we begin to narrow down the risk areas and our local impacts here in Central Illinois.
WMBD TV first reported this story. You can read the original story online at CIProud.com.
