


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Central Illinois
Issued by NWS Central Illinois
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711 FXUS63 KILX 061718 AFDILX Area Forecast Discussion...Updated Aviation National Weather Service Lincoln IL 1218 PM CDT Sun Jul 6 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms today, with lingering chances in southeast IL on Monday. Locally heavy rainfall, lightning and a few strong wind gusts are possible mainly this afternoon into mid evening mainly from I-55 east. - Very warm and humid conditions will continue today with highs in the mid to upper 80s in central IL and afternoon heat indices in the low to mid 90s. Highs will be in the lower 90s southeast of I-70 today with afternoon heat indices in the upper 90s to near 100. More seasonable temperatures along with humid conditions can otherwise be expected the next several days. - Occasional periods of scattered showers and thunderstorms can be expected for the upcoming work week. && .UPDATE... Issued at 1038 AM CDT Sun Jul 6 2025 Cold front just moving into northwest parts of the forecast area this morning will move slowly southeastward today, along with an upper level shortwave, promoting showers and thunderstorms across central and southeast IL. With relative inactivity of storms at this time, have trimmed precip chances through noon, then expecting 50-60 percent chances through afternoon. Have also increased highs for today a degree or so ahead of the front through the I-70 corridor as the front, rain, and cloud cover should have a bit less influence than earlier forecasts in this area. Have highs ranging from mid 80s from IL River northwestward, to upper 80s for most of the area, and lower 90s south of I-70. With precipitable water near 2 inches ahead of the front and slow storm motions, there continues to be a threat of isolated very heavy rainfall, with potential for over 2 inches in an hour. Nevertheless, most locations should see under a half inch. 37 && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 345 AM CDT Sun Jul 6 2025 The 08Z/3 am surface map shows a cold front over southwest WI to near the IL/IA border and into nw MO. Radar mosaic shows scattered convection over northern MO into west central and nw IL into southeast half of WI. The convection was weakening in west central IL as it was moving east toward the IL river by Beardstown. Bands of clouds were over much of CWA except from Danville to Flora east where clear to mostly clear skies still prevailed. Patchy light fog in far se IL near the KY border. Muggy temps were in the low to mid 70s at 3 am (80F at Decatur) with dewpoints in the upper 60s and lower 70s. Tropical Storm Chantal with 50 mph winds at 4 am CDT was moving inland near the Georgetown Airport on northeast coast of South Carolina, or 70 miles northeast of Charleston SC and moving NNW at 8 mph. Closer to home in Illinois, the cold front is forecast to push southeast over the IL river valley during this afternoon. Daytime heating of unstable tropical airmass to ignite additional bands of convection over central IL and into southeast IL late this afternoon and evening. CAPES rise to 1400-2200 j/kg this afternoon (highest from I-55 southeast) with weak wind shear values over area today. SPC Day1 outlook does not have a marginal risk of severe storms over IL today, but could be a few pulsey multicells with strong winds. Very high PW values of 2-2.3 inches also could give locally heavy rain in spots this afternoon into mid evening. LPMM shows isolated spots of 1.5-3 inch rainfall amounts from I-55 se to I-70 this afternoon until dusk, with even a one or two spots of 3-5 inches in east central IL. Rainfall amounts will be quite variable today with some areas seeing less than a tenth inch. Flash Flood Guidance (FFG) values are fairly high with lack of widespread/heavier rainfall since Wed/June 18. The 1 hour FFG values of 1.75-2.25 inches, 3 hour FFG values 2-3 inches, and the 6 hour FFG values of 3-4 inches. WPC ERO has marginal risk of excessive rainfall this afternoon/evening from I-55 southeast. Humid conditions linger today with very warm highs today in the mid to upper 80s in central IL (coolest nw of the IL river) to lower 90s se of I-70 where heat indices peak in the upper 90s to near 100F. Heat index values in low to mid 90s this afternoon over much of central IL. The front to move slowly southward over central IL tonight and into southeast IL on Monday. Convection chances to shift southward with the front during tonight and Monday, with pops mainly in southeast IL on Monday especially during Mon afternoon. Locally heavy rain possible over far SE CWA on Monday afternoon though WPC has shifts marginal risk of excessive rainfall into southern IL. Highs Monday in the mid 80s in central IL and upper 80s from highway 50 south where afternoon heat indices in the lower 90s in southeast IL Monday. Dry conditions return to CWA Monday night and Tue morning with lows Mon night in the mid to upper 60s (lower 60s ne of I-74). Very warm and humid Tue with highs in the upper 80s to near 90F and afternoon heat index values in low to mid 90s. A short wave trof moving into IL Tue evening to bring isolated convection Tue afternoon and 20-30% chance of convection Tue night. SPC Day3 outlook has marginal risk of severe storms for winds and possible hail far western CWA border Tue evening. WPC ERO also has marginal risk of excessive rainfall over much of area Tue night. The upper level trof over IL Wed keeps chances of convection especially Wed afternoon/evening in warm/humid air mass. WPC ERO has marginal risk of excessive rainfall over central and sw IL Wed afternoon/evening. Highs Wed in the mid to upper 80s. Diurnally enhanced chances of convection continues Thu/Fri during afternoon/evening hours and tropical heat and humidity lingers with highs in the upper 80s to around 90F. A northern stream short wave trof moves into the upper MS river valley Friday and continues chances of convection late this week (Fri/Sat). 07 && .AVIATION... (For the 18z TAFs through 18z Monday Afternoon) Issued at 1218 PM CDT Sun Jul 6 2025 Scattered showers and thunderstorms can be expected across the central IL terminals, especially the I-72 terminals today, as a cold front approaches from the northwest. Any of these storms could produce MVFR conditions or locally worse, along with strong gusty winds and heavy downpours. Scattered storms should continue until 00Z-03Z, latest in the southeast. In addition, areas of MVFR cigs will continue until early afternoon, then likely lift enough to produce generally VFR level cigs. Another area of MVFR cigs is expected to develop behind the cold front tonight, and have this arriving at KBMI at 06Z, KCMI at 07Z, and KDEC at 09Z. Areas to the west are currently expected to remain VFR, but models are not unanimous with this depiction, so will need to keep an eye on this feature with later updates. 37 && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$