1:40 am Update:
The high clouds over Illinois are pretty thin and shouldn't impact eclipse viewing, but thicker clouds (shown in light blue) moving northeast may cause some viewing issues in parts of the state later.
Eclipse times:
Partial eclipse phase begins 3:09 am
Totality: 4:17-5:42 am
The tail end of the eclipse will not be visible as it will occur after moonset.
[Midnight Update] -- Rain has increased in coverage tonight across central Illinois and will persist into the early morning hours of Saturday. Isolated thunderstorms remain a possibility, but otherwise, wind gusts will really begin to ramp up over the next few hours with occasional gusts exceeding 50 mph into Saturday morning.
Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms will continue mainly north of I-72 until early afternoon before exiting central IL to the north. Brief heavy downpours, lightning, and small hail possible with the strongest thunderstorms. https://radar.weather.gov/ridge/standard/KILX_loop.gif #ilwx
[11:09 am] - Showers will continue across parts of central IL through this afternoon. Pockets of moderate to occasionally heavy rain may result in localized ponding of water in low lying areas and on roadways, especially where leaves or debris may have clogged storm drains. #ilwx
[8:27 am] - Areas of showers will continue across the area over the next several hours. Be alert for localized ponding of water on roadways where leaves or debris may have clogged storm drains. #ilwx
A cold front is pushing southeast across central IL this evening. Northwest winds gusting 25-35 mph and scattered showers will be common for a couple hours behind the frontal passage. Dry weather and lighter winds will move in after midnight. https://radar.weather.gov/ridge/lite/KILX_loop.gif #ilwx
Scattered showers and thunderstorms will sweep into central IL late this afternoon and evening along a strong cold front. Brief small hail, heavy downpours, as well as gusty winds to 40 mph possible. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph behind the front. https://radar.weather.gov/station/KILX/standard #ilwx
Isolated to scattered showers in central IL tonight. There could also be an isolated thunderstorm or two. Rainfall amounts will generally be a few hundredths or less, but there is potential for a few spots with a quarter inch. https://radar.weather.gov/ridge/standard/KILX_loop.gif #ilwx
4:30 pm radar loop, 9/23/2022
4:30 pm Update:
Lots of showers are moving eastward late this afternoon, though with dry air in place over eastern Illinois, the rain has been a bit slower to get going over there. Expect these showers to continue a good portion of the evening, so be prepared to get a little wet if you're attending any Friday evening football games.
A slow moving band of showers and isolated thunderstorms extends from west central Illinois to near Lincoln as of 145 pm. Expect this band to begin to shift southeastward this afternoon with a few strong storms possible. The strongest thunderstorms could produce isolated hail and locally strong wind gusts over 50 mph. Any thunderstorms could produce ponding of water on roadways. https://radar.weather.gov/ridge/standard/KILX_loop.gif #ilwx
A slow moving band of showers and isolated thunderstorms extends from west central Illinois to near Lincoln as of 145 pm. Expect this band to begin to shift southeastward this afternoon with a few strong storms possible. The strongest thunderstorms could produce isolated hail and locally strong wind gusts over 50 mph. Any thunderstorms could produce ponding of water on roadways. https://radar.weather.gov/ridge/standard/KILX_loop.gif #ilwx
A slow moving band of showers and isolated thunderstorms extends from west central into central Illinois this morning, slowly weakening. Thunderstorms may produce ponding of water on roadways and some isolated gusty winds to 40 mph. https://radar.weather.gov/ridge/standard/KILX_loop.gif #ilwx
Isolated showers and thunderstorms continue across central IL, while a band of steadier rain moves in from the west. Isolated torrential rain in thunderstorms could lead to flash flooding with any slower moving storms. https://radar.weather.gov/ridge/standard/KILX_loop.gif #ilwx
Isolated showers and thunderstorms over eastern parts of central Illinois. A band of steady rain with a few thunderstorms moving in from the west. Isolated torrential rain in thunderstorms could lead to flash flooding with any slower moving storms. https://radar.weather.gov/ridge/standard/KILX_loop.gif #ilwx
Widely scattered showers have developed across eastern Illinois late this morning, with much of the activity east of I-55. These scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms should continue to move to the northeast through the early afternoon hours. #ILwx
A cold front heading SE toward Peoria could still develop isolated showers and thunderstorms this evening, although activity along the front will likely continue to decrease. Any storms could produce gusty winds over 30 mph and isolated small hail. https://radar.weather.gov/ridge/lite/KILX_loop.gif #ilwx
Isolated thunderstorms along a line from Burlington to northeast IL moving SE toward central IL. Storms could produce gusty winds to 40 mph and isolated small hail from Macomb to Peoria northward through 7 pm. https://radar.weather.gov/ridge/lite/KILX_loop.gif #ilwx
Isolated thunderstorms are developing along a cold front heading SE toward the Galesburg area. Storms could produce gusty winds to 40 mph and isolated small hail from Macomb to Peoria northward through 7 pm. #ilwx
Strong to severe storms remain possible later this afternoon into this evening. Here is one model's take on how storms may evolve. The primary threats within any stronger storms will be damaging wind gusts and large hail. Stay weather aware later today! #ilwx
8:35 am Update:
Hurricane Ida is located about 100 miles south of New Orleans with 150 mph sustained winds. Landfall is expected early this afternoon.
[11:47 AM] - Scattered storms have developed across east-central IL late this morning. Primary hazards within any storm are heavy rainfall, lightning, gusty winds, and small hail. Seek shelter indoors when storms approach. #ilwx
[4:18 PM] - Strong to severe storms have developed across parts of central and east-central IL late this afternoon. Primary threats within any strong storms will be damaging winds, isolated large hail, and heavy rainfall. Seek shelter indoors when storms approach. #ilwx
[2:05 PM] - Storms have fired up along the IL/IN border this afternoon. Gusty winds, heavy rainfall, and lightning are the main threats at this time. #ilwx
Scattered showers and few lightning strikes remain possible this evening in central IL, however severe thunderstorm potential has diminished over the central part of the state, but continues in southern Illinois. #ilwx
[6:22 PM] - A few strong storms continue across portions of southern and southeast IL early this evening. Strong winds, hail, and torrential rainfall are the main threats. Seek shelter indoors when storms approach. #ilwx
[4:09 PM] - Strong to severe storms continue to sag south into parts of central and southeast IL. Damaging winds, isolated large hail, and torrential rainfall are the primary threats with these storms. #ilwx
Here's a plot of the lightning that occurred across central Illinois each hour between midnight and 6 am. Those of you south of I-72 were spoiled by not getting woken up by these storms. 🙂
![[8:47 AM] Current visibility observations across central Illinois show improvement from this morning as the sun "burns o...](https://img3.govserv.org/902/619/698020579026192.jpg)
#}