The Storm Prediction center has included almost the entire state of Illinois and all but the northeast portion of Indiana in the slight risk of severe thunderstorms area for today and tonight. The greatest risk of severe storms here will be later this afternoon and early tonight, as a cold front approaches from the west. The cold front is forecast to pass through the Chicago area well after midnight tonight. The primary threat this far north will be large hail and damaging winds although an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.
The Flood Watch for this afternoon and tonight remains in effect with heavy downpours in some of the stronger storms capable of giving 1 to 3-iches of rainfall. Frozen soils will mean much of the rain will run off into rivers and streams and the very warm temperatures in the 60s will boost chances of ice melt and the formation of ice jams that will expedite flood problems.
