Severe Storms Possible In Wisconsin This Afternoon: Here’s What To Watch

MILWAUKEE, WI — A stalled cold front could spark another round of thunderstorms across southeastern Wisconsin this afternoon, with the potential for some storms to turn severe depending on how conditions develop earlier in the day.

According to the National Weather Service, gusty showers and isolated storms moved through parts of southern Wisconsin early Tuesday, with additional storms expected to develop along a cold front from mid-morning into the early afternoon. The greater concern comes later in the day, when storms may redevelop between about 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. as the front slows and stalls across the region.

Whether those storms become severe will depend largely on how much the atmosphere is able to warm up during the early afternoon hours.

If clouds break and temperatures rise, forecasters say storms could produce large hail, potentially around 1 inch in diameter, along with damaging wind gusts.

If limited warming occurs, storms are more likely to remain below severe limits, though lightning and small hail would still be possible.

The main area of concern includes communities along and southeast of a line from Janesville to Milwaukee, including Kenosha and surrounding areas.

Storm chances are expected to diminish after 6 p.m., as the front begins to weaken and move out of the area.

Residents are encouraged to stay weather-aware throughout the day and monitor for any watches or warnings if storms begin to intensify.

Here's the full NWS forecast from the Milwaukee Airport:

This Afternoon: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Wednesday Night: Rain likely, then rain and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Low around 34. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 63. East wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: A chance of rain and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a chance of rain between 10pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 39. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 55.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain before 4am, then a slight chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: A 10 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 45.

Sunday Night:Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.

Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Tuesday:Partly sunny, with a high near 48.