Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Central Illinois
Issued by NWS Central Illinois
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405 FXUS63 KILX 181903 AFDILX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 103 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 18z TAFs through 18z Wednesday Afternoon) Issued at 1112 AM CST Tue Nov 18 2025 Low pressure will pass just south of the terminals this afternoon. Lowering ceilings and backing winds are expected with passage of the low. ESE/SE winds currently in place are expected to back to the NE/N this afternoon and should remain out of that direction the remainder of the period. Meanwhile, MVFR/IFR ceilings are expected to continue to expand across the region, bottoming out IFR everywhere overnight along with some patchy fog potential. Thunderstorm chances have shifted further south away from the terminals, though occasional light rain cannot be ruled out through the afternoon. Deubelbeiss && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$