A Flood Watch covers parts of west-central Illinois, and Quad Cities residents are bracing for two rounds of strong to severe storms Wednesday—morning through 11 a.m. and again from about noon to 7 p.m.—with damaging winds over 70 mph, large hail, and a tornad
Wednesday morning starts with weather that won’t wait.
In the Quad Cities, a busy severe-weather day is building around two distinct bursts of storms. A Flood Watch is in effect for parts of west-central Illinois through Wednesday evening, with heavy rain raising the risk of localized flooding.
The first round moves in early Wednesday, generally now through 11 a.m. These storms can bring damaging winds of 70+ mph, a threat that matters for anyone heading out for school or work before the day fully ramps up.
After a break late in the morning. attention shifts to the afternoon and early evening. when the atmosphere is expected to recharge. The second round is expected to develop roughly between noon and 7 p.m., and it could be more impactful. Large hail is possible, damaging wind gusts over 75 mph are on the table, and a few tornadoes could form.
The biggest tornado threat currently appears to be across west-central Illinois, where wind shear will be strongest.
One dangerous wrinkle is how these storms may organize. Storms are expected to develop as discrete supercells before eventually growing into clusters. Supercells can produce all severe weather hazards and can become dangerous quickly. They’re also moving fast—close to 50 mph—so warnings may have short lead times.
The timing adds another layer of risk. Morning storms could affect commute and school travel. The second round arrives when more people are out and about, making it harder to react quickly if a warning is issued.
Officials urge residents to have multiple ways to receive warnings and to know where they would go if one comes. And as rainfall ramps up, the flood danger is not theoretical: flash flooding is possible, especially in areas that see heavy rain from both rounds.
Never drive through water-covered roads.
Once Wednesday passes, calmer weather is expected to return Thursday and Friday, with temperatures running below normal. The active pattern doesn’t stay away for long, though—another system could bring additional showers and thunderstorms late this weekend.
Stay with the First Alert Weather team throughout the day as updates track changes in timing and storm intensity and as warnings are issued.
Quad Cities severe thunderstorms Flood Watch hail damaging winds tornado threat supercells flash flooding Wednesday forecast