Derecho Could Bring Thunderstorms And Severe Winds To WI

MILWAUKEE, WI — Wisconsin is near the center of a possible derecho, an "inland hurricane" that can cause significant damage and power outages with high winds and torrential rain on Monday, weather forecast company AccuWeather reported.

Central, south-central, southwest and southeast Wisconsin have "Some" to "Moderate" chance of severe thunderstorms Monday, AccuWeather reported. Some risks from severe storms include flash flooding, hail and isolated tornadoes.

Milwaukee and Waukesha counties sit in the middle of the "Moderate" zone, a predictive thunderstorm map showed. Rain and thunderstorms are expected in the Milwaukee area starting 2 p.m., the National Weather Service reported.

Potentially damaging storms with high winds and torrential rain are expected from southeastern Minnesota and southern Wisconsin to Virginia and Maryland from late Monday to Tuesday, AccuWeather reported. Following the storms is a rim of intense heat and high humidity across the Plains and Mississippi Valley.

Severe Storms Over WI, 70 MPH Winds And Hail Main Hazards

In Wisconsin, severe thunderstorms with the potential for winds up to 70 mph and large hail are expected in much of the southern part of the state, including Milwaukee and Waukesha counties, in the afternoon on Monday, national forecasters reported. A heat advisory will follow for much of southeast Wisconsin on Tuesday.

A hazardous weather outlook was issued for increasing chances for thunderstorms Monday morning and in the early afternoon, forecasters said. The risk of severe storms with damaging winds and large hail was the main concern.

"Severe storms are possible today, generally from late morning until early evening," the weather service tweeted. "Damaging winds over 70 MPH and large hail are the main hazards. A few tornadoes are possible near the warm front towards the IL border. Stay weather aware today!"

Severe storms were likely to affect a corridor between central Wisconsin into northern Illinois, forecasters said. Advised counties include Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, Dane, Racine and Kenosha for storms from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

A heat advisory will go into effect for much of southeast Wisconsin, including Milwaukee and Waukesha counties, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, forecasters said. Heat index values from 100 to 105 are expected in cities like Milwaukee, Waukesha, Brookfield, New Berlin, Madison, Menomonee Falls and Kenosha.

The hot temperatures and humidity may cause heat illnesses, forecasters said. The advisory will end around 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

Forecasters recommended drinking plenty of fluids, staying in air-conditioned rooms and staying out of the sun to avoid heat illness.

Here's a forecast for the rest of the week.

Monday

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 69. East wind 5 to 15 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. On Monday evening, a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. East wind 5 to 15 mph.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny and hot, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 99. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph later in the evening.

Wednesday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 91. South wind, 10 to 15 mph.

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. West wind, 10 to 15 mph. On Thursday night, mostly clear, with a low around 64. West wind, 10 to 15 mph.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 77 during the day. Mostly clear, with a low around 57 on Friday night.