MILWAUKEE, WI — Isolated severe storms are developing across southeast Wisconsin this afternoon and are expected to move into the Milwaukee metro through the evening, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters say storms forming to the west will track northeast, with some becoming severe as they approach the metro.
The main threats this afternoon and early evening are hail up to 1 inch in diameter and damaging winds up to 60 mph. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out, though the risk is relatively low.
Storms are expected to move out over Lake Michigan around early evening, but additional development is possible later tonight as a stronger round of storms organizes to the north and west.
That activity is expected to become more widespread across central Wisconsin overnight, with some storms potentially pushing southeast toward the I-94 corridor, including the Milwaukee area. If storms hold together, damaging winds and a brief tornado will be possible late tonight.
In addition to the severe threat, repeated rounds of rain could lead to localized flooding, especially in areas that see multiple storms.
Looking ahead, another round of severe weather is possible Tuesday afternoon and evening. Forecasters warn that storms could bring very large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes before transitioning into a line overnight.
Here's the full NWS forecast from the Milwaukee Airport:
This Afternoon: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 1am and 4am, then a chance of showers after 4am. Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 75. Southwest wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers. Low around 49. North wind around 5 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Wednesday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 60. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1am and 4am, then a chance of showers after 4am. Low around 48. East wind around 5 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. North wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 69.
Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 50. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.
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