Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Central Illinois
Issued by NWS Central Illinois
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974 FXUS63 KILX 182323 AFDILX Area Forecast Discussion...Updated Aviation National Weather Service Lincoln IL 523 PM CST Tue Nov 18 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - There is a level 1 of 5 (marginal) risk for severe thunderstorms today south of a roughly Pana to Paris line. The primary hazard would be hail up to 1 inch in diameter. - The next opportunity for rain arrives late Thursday into Friday night. The axis of heaviest rain has shifted south, but there is still a chance for rain amounts greater than 1 inch south of I-70. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 103 PM CST Tue Nov 18 2025 The low pressure system is moving eastward today, with a warm front draped over the southeastern part of the CWA. SPC has maintained a marginal risk (level 1 of 5) of severe weather for south of a Pana to Paris line. The dewpoint gradient looks to be along the southern CWA border. The triple point is expected to move through southern IL this afternoon, which would increase the chances for severe storms with hail, wind, or even a tornado, the further south you travel through the state. South of I-70, the CAMs show 1000-1200 J/kg of MUCAPE and ~30 knots of effective wind shear. The freezing level is around 9k-10k ft. Most (if not all) of the storms that develop down there today will be elevated, supporting the hail threat. However, if one of these storms can latch onto a boundary or become surface based, a tornado could spin up. For an example of how the afternoon redevelopment could go, let`s take a look at the HRRR. The HRRR shows a corridor of strong (maybe severe) storms traveling east along the I-64 corridor, just south of our CWA, from 19z-23z. The NAMnest is more north, with the storms stretching to the I-70 corridor. Area of concern for our forecast area would be approximately the I-70 corridor and south. Currently, the NAMNest looks to be initializing the general area of the ongoing cells the best. Wednesday would be a brief break in the rain as there is a lull between systems. Early Thursday morning, another low pressure system will pass through central and southeastern IL, bringing increased Gulf moisture and slightly warmer temperatures in for Thursday. Above freezing temperatures keep the precipitation type rain, thankfully. This system could deliver higher rainfall amounts compared to the ongoing system. From Thursday morning to Saturday morning, QPF of 1-1.5 inches is in the forecast. Temperatures stay near or just above normal for the next week. The warmest day this week is Thursday with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s and lows in the upper 40s to low 50s. Behind the low pressure system Friday, temperatures will drop back down to near normal. Copple && .AVIATION... (For the 00z TAFs through 00z Wednesday Evening) Issued at 523 PM CST Tue Nov 18 2025 A surface low is passing by to our south this evening, which has allowed winds to back to the north-northeast. Low stratus will expand across the area tonight, with most sites already down to IFR category just before 00Z. Patchy drizzle or fog is possible overnight, bringing periods of reduced visibility. Stratus will be slow to erode, with more optimistic guidance suggesting ceilings will return to VFR by Wednesday afternoon. Winds will veer to the east later in the period with speeds becoming light as high pressure slides by to our north. NMA && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$