MILWAUKEE, WI — Severe storms, heavy rain, and flooding are possible across southern Wisconsin on Monday, with the greatest severe-weather risk expected south of Interstate 94 and closer to the Wisconsin-Illinois border, according to the National Weather Service.
The Milwaukee area was seeing light rain Monday morning, and more wet weather is expected through the day. The NWS forecast for Milwaukee calls for showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 3 p.m., followed by another chance of showers and storms mainly after 4 p.m.
Some storms could produce heavy rainfall, forecasters said.
The strongest storms are expected late Monday afternoon into Monday evening, after a morning round of rain and weak storms moves through the region. A broken line of strong to severe storms may move northeast through southern Wisconsin later in the day, according to the NWS.
"Severe storms are possible, particularly south of I-94," the NWS said in its Hazardous Weather Outlook. "Storms are expected to produce damaging winds, with an isolated tornado possible."
The weather service said damaging winds and isolated tornadoes are the main severe-weather threats. Isolated hail is also possible.
Forecasters said the later showers linger into the afternoon, the lower the severe-weather potential may be. The higher severe threat depends partly on how much warm air and sunshine can push north into Wisconsin later Monday.
The best chances for severe weather are expected in southwest Wisconsin and near the Wisconsin-Illinois border, though the threat remains more uncertain farther north, according to the NWS.
The rain could also worsen flooding concerns across southern Wisconsin.
The NWS said multiple rounds of rain and storms are expected to bring a widespread 0.5 to 1 inch of precipitation across southern Wisconsin. Areas along the Wisconsin-Illinois border currently have the best chance of seeing more than 1 inch of rain, with localized pockets of 2 inches possible if storms repeatedly track over the same area.
Moderate to heavy rainfall may lead to urban and small-stream flooding, while also adding to or extending ongoing river flooding, forecasters said.
In Milwaukee, Monday’s high is expected to reach 58 degrees, with southeast winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80 percent during the day and 90 percent on Monday night, according to the NWS.
Spotter activation may be needed Monday afternoon into Monday night, the weather service said.
The storms are expected to move out later Monday night. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast before 11 p.m., followed by a chance of showers between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. Tuesday is expected to be partly sunny and breezy, with a high near 61.
Here's the full NWS forecast from the Milwaukee Airport:
Today
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 58. Windy, with a southeast wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible
.Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a chance of showers between 11pm and 1am. Low around 50. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 55. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday
A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 53. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.
Saturday
Areas of frost. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 58.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Milwaukee, WI Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.