035
FXUS63 KILX 281909
AFDILX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
209 PM CDT Tue May 28 2024

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Isolated to widely scattered (20-30% coverage) storms are
  expected this afternoon and evening (2pm-10pm) across central
  Illinois. Storms are not expected to be severe but gusts up to
  around 50 mph or penny size hail will be possible with the
  strongest storms.

- Fair weather and overall quiet conditions are expected during
  the latter half of the week. A more unsettled pattern returns
  this weekend into next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 204 PM CDT Tue May 28 2024

This afternoon, long wave trough is in place over the Great Lakes
with northwest flow over central Illinois. This is driving steep
low to mid level lapse rates while a shortwave trough digging
across southern WI/northern IL is allowing a few storms to
develop. Some of this activity will build south into portions of
central Illinois this afternoon, but coverage should remain
isolated to widely scattered (20 to 30 percent), and chances will
fade with loss of daytime heating this evening. Severe storms are
not anticipated in part due to weak instability (dew points in
the lower 50s contributing to MLCAPE values of around 300-400
J/kg. That said, isolated stronger wind gusts may still be
possible given the steep lapse rates down low.

High pressure over the northern Great Plains and Canadian Prairies
today will overspread the Midwest through the latter half of the
week with the surface ridge axis passing over central Illinois
Thursday. Temperatures will undergo a very gradual warming trend
during this time frame with low 70s in the forecast for Wednesday
and upper 70s by Friday. The air mass will be quite dry with dew
points mixing down into the 40s for portions of the area, possibly
dipping into the 30s in spots Thursday. The dry air will help
keep skies clear and allow large diurnal swings with overnight
lows generally in the upper 40s to lower 50s.

Upper pattern will transition to more zonal by this weekend and
continue into the first part of next week with several low
amplitude waves bringing periodic chances for showers and a few
storms. Surface ridge will shift to the mid Atlantic coast
Saturday allowing return flow into the Midwest. The warming trend
will continue into the weekend with widespread 80s back in the
forecast for Sunday and mid to upper 80s early next week. Gulf
moisture also returns to the region with dew points back into the
60s and pushing 70 by early next week. With the jet stream
migrating well to our north, and at least initially modest dew
points, a severe weather threat does not seem apparent, but as
humidity builds early next week, some stronger storms could be
possible, especially during the afternoon and evening hours with
any waves that coincide with peak heating. Given the fast moving,
low amplitude shortwaves, timing details for precip chances
remains uncertain and the extended portion of the forecast is
broad-brushed with slight chance to chance PoPs due to model
timing differences.

&&

.AVIATION...  (For the 18z TAFs through 18z Wednesday Afternoon)
Issued at 1232 PM CDT Tue May 28 2024

Northwest flow will prevail across central Illinois through the
period. Gusts will develop in the 20-25 kt range this afternoon
and evening, then taper off again right around sunset. A few
isolated to widely scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms
are expected today, but low coverage precludes more than a VCTS
mention at this time. Outside of one of these stray storms
impacting a terminal, VFR conditions are expected through the
period.

Deubelbeiss

&&

.ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.
&&

$$