Slight chance for severe weather Tuesday afternoon and early evening

[March 24, 2009]  A cold front is expected to approach central Illinois late Tuesday afternoon and evening. Ahead of the front, strong south winds will gust as high as 45 mph at times into the evening. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be more common along the Illinois River valley today, with an increasing threat for more widespread thunderstorm activity across the entire area as the front approaches from midafternoon through early this evening. Some of the storms may become locally severe, with damaging wind gusts the primary threat over parts of southwest and west-central Illinois. In addition, heavy rainfall can be expected just ahead of the front, with the potential for 1 to 1.5 inches of rain across the area by later this evening.

The front should sweep well to the east after midnight, taking the rain chances with it as cooler and drier weather settles in for a couple of days.

Spotter information statement

Spotter activation may be required later this afternoon and evening. Present indications suggest the primary time frame would be 3-9 p.m.

(See map below.)

[Text from file received from Terry Storer, Logan County Emergency Management Agency]

[Graphic received from Terry Storer, Logan County Emergency Management Agency]