Central Illinois is bracing for scattered thunderstorms today, with a potential for some to escalate to severe levels by the late afternoon and early evening. A brief period of fair weather is forecasted for Thursday into part of Friday but will be short-lived. Late Friday, a cold front will move across the region, bringing with it a renewed chance for thunderstorms, particularly over the Illinois River Valley, where conditions could become severe.
In addition to the stormy conditions, heavy rainfall is anticipated this afternoon and evening, raising concerns about possible flooding. Residents, especially in areas including Springfield, Chatham, and Rochester, are advised to stay vigilant until 5:15 PM CDT due to a Flash Flood Warning. This warning comes after 1.29 inches of rain fell at the Springfield Airport in just 25 minutes. If you encounter flooded roadways, it’s crucial to turn around and find an alternative route. While scattered storms will continue this afternoon, and a few strong to severe storms cannot be ruled out, the main threat today will be the heavy rainfall and potential flooding.
