Southern Wisconsin is facing another serious severe weather threat, and Thursday has been declared a First Alert Day. Multiple rounds of storms are expected from early afternoon into the early evening, with isolated tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail all possible.
The setup is being driven by a strong weather system moving from Kansas into northeast Iowa before reaching east central Wisconsin later in the day. Warm, humid air will surge north ahead of it, creating favorable conditions for dangerous storms across the region.
What to watch Thursday
The first storms may form late in the morning and into early afternoon, and they could already bring large hail as they move through. The main severe threat is expected later in the afternoon and early evening, when conditions become even more favorable for rotating storms and possible significant damage.
Computer models show the potential for both individual supercell thunderstorms and organized line segments. Heavy rainfall is also expected, and flash flooding could become an issue in urban areas where water cannot drain quickly.
Cooler air returns for the weekend
Behind the storms Thursday evening, winds will turn west and cooler air will settle in. Temperatures are expected to drop into the 50s by Friday morning, followed by a dry day with light west winds and near-normal mid-June temperatures.
Saturday brings another chance for showers and thunderstorms as a weak system approaches from the west during the afternoon and moves through Saturday night. Scattered showers and storms are possible throughout the day.
Looking ahead to next week
Early next week is expected to stay cooler than normal, with periodic chances for showers as a larger weather system becomes established over Ontario. Shower chances remain in the forecast through Wednesday, keeping the active pattern going.
WMTV says weather apps are available for viewers who want continuing updates as conditions change through the day.