ALERT DAY: High heat expected Wednesday with increased chance for severe weather

Once again, Wednesday is an ALERT DAY that comes in two parts. High heat and humidity could lead to heat related illness if outdoors for extended periods of time. In the evening, strong storms may develop, with damaging winds, large hail, heavy rain, and tornadoes all being possible.

TIMING AND IMPACTS
Skies are mostly sunny as of now, but dew points and temperatures are actively rising to levels similar to those reached yesterday. Temperatures in the lower 90s with dew points into the upper 70s will lead to Heat Index values as high as 105°+.

For this reason, Heat Advisories are again in place for most of southern Wisconsin from Noon until 7PM.

While most fear is often aimed towards severe weather, heat is the greatest weather related killer, and it is important that appropriate precautions are taken to beat it. This includes staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activity, and intentionally checking on the elderly, pets, and your back seat for children.

The high heat and humidity will add more fuel to the tank for the storms that develop over the area. With this in mind parts of the area are under an ENHANCED RISK (Level 3 out of 5) for severe storms. With a SLIGHT RISK (Level 2 out 0f 5) for areas further west.

Much like the risk zones show, it’s all of southern Wisconsin that has the greatest potential to see severe storms, but there are still questions regarding just where and when the storms begin to develop. When they do, the primary concern will be for damaging winds and large hail, though isolated tornadoes will also be possible.

The overall thinking is that isolated storms will develop northwest ahead of a cold front. Though hail and spin up tornadoes will be possible at all times during the storms, the isolated storms at the onset of the evening will have the best chance to produce tornadoes or larger hail.

As storms progress eastward, it is expected that they will quickly begin to merge into a line of storms that will dive south and eastward, just like what the area saw yesterday.

As this begins to happen, the tornado and hail potential will lessen, and the risk for damaging winds will increase. FutureTrack and many other models are hinting at the possibility of bowing line segments. If this does play out, damaging wind potential could be maximized at times. Storms will then quickly move southward and out of the area.

TAKE ACTION
The risk for severe weather is now hours away. Now is the time to be “PRO-active instead of RE-active”, and take action to ensure that you’re prepared for whatever storms may come your way.

This includes planning ahead. Whether you’re in the office, or on the go outdoors, having a weather radio on hand to alert you should a warning be issued for your location is recommended. Also, take time to secure loose lawn items to help keep them from flying away in strong winds. Be sure to charge devices and have flashlights handy just in case of a power outage.

In the meantime, stay tuned to News 3 Now First Warn Weather online, on social media, and on air.