It’s not common for National Weather Service Forecasters to pay such close attention to a developing system three days in advance, however they did on Tuesday, and the need to prepare for possible severe weather, now two days out, is the subject of even closer consideration.
The culprit is a strengthening low pressure system that’s projected to lift northeastward on Friday, crossing the Great Lakes and dragging a cold front along with it. That will serve as the focus for energy that has the potential to generate advisory-worthy thunderstorms.
Currently, southwestern Wisconsin is closer to the area of concern – they’re given a slight risk of strong or severe storms. Given the location and later timing for us, we’re in the next-lower “marginal risk” category, which still bears watching, especially two days out.
Important factors the Severe Storms Forecast Center at NOAA will look at are the evolution of that line of storms moving out of Iowa into southwestern Wisconsin. Of greatest risk: damaging winds that could exceed 60 mph.
The earlier they form, the better chance of reaching severe potential as they cross that area. That could be anywhere from 7 – 9 p.m. Friday. Activity is expected to peak between 8 pm. and 1 a.m., with activity leaving by 2. A later start favors the winding down of storms bel
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