Milwaukee, WI – A potent storm system sweeping across the Upper Midwest is expected to bring a heightened risk of severe thunderstorms Thursday afternoon and evening, threatening parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, northern Illinois, southwest Michigan, and northern Indiana with large hail, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes.
According to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center, an “Enhanced Risk” zone has been declared for this region, meaning there is a significant chance for severe weather, including the possibility of a few strong tornadoes and hail reaching up to 3 inches in diameter.
The severe activity will be fueled by a deepening low-pressure system over eastern South Dakota and a strong upper-level trough sweeping across the region. Warm, moist air is forecast to surge northward during the day, providing the fuel for supercell development from east-central Minnesota through much of Wisconsin and into northern Illinois and Indiana.
Forecasters say the storms may initiate by early afternoon, particularly in an arc from Minnesota into southeast Wisconsin. A powerful low-level jet and enhanced wind shear will support rotating storms capable of producing tornadoes. Some storms may transition into bowing segments by evening, bringing potential wind gusts up to 80 mph.
Further south, the severe risk becomes more conditional. While capping in the atmosphere may limit storm coverage, isolated strong storms could still develop across central Illinois, Indiana, and parts of Kentucky and Ohio. These could also produce hail, strong winds, and possibly isolated tornadoes.
Residents are urged to monitor weather alerts closely and prepare for possible severe weather disruptions, especially those with outdoor plans Thursday afternoon into the evening hours.
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