Cool temperatures and the absence of high humidity have suppressed severe thunderstorm activity across much of the Midwest this Spring. Locally, the quiet severe weather season is expected to come to an abrupt end late this afternoon and this evening as clusters of strong to severe thunderstorms rake across much of Illinois, northern Indiana and southern Wisconsin.
Timing
Storms could fire anytime this afternoon, however the highest probability will be between 6PM and 1AM.
Type of severe weather
All thunderstorms that develop later today will produce lightning, gusty winds and periods of heavy rain. A few of these storms are expected to turn "severe".
A thunderstorm is not considered "severe" unless it is producing damage via wind, hail or a tornado. Damage begins to occur when:
-Hail size reaches or exceeds 1.00" in diameter.
-Wind gusts reach or exceed 58mph.
BELOW: One possible storm scenario is depicted by our in house RPM model indicating several strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to be roaming portions of northeast Illinois around 9PM tonight.














