Northeast Illinois is catching a welcome--albeit short-- break in this
spring's prolonged wet pattern. Area rivers and streams are running close to
bankfull or overflowing and soils everywhere are soaked. Indications are the
next storm system will spread showers and thunderstorms back into this area
Tuesday night and Wednesday. That would mean a five-day respite that might
allow rivers and streams to absorb the next round of rainfall without
significant flooding, and some farmers in better-drained areas a chance to
briefly get back into the fields.
Severe storms hit the southeastern U.S.
Saturday afternoon and evening tornado watches were issued covering portions
of states from Texas to Alabama where in addition to many tornado
warnings, there were many reports of golfball-sized hail and damaging winds.
Around 3:30 p.m., the roof of the Dallas Cowboy training facilities
collapsed with several injuries reported.
More rain in the weeks ahead
In the next couple weeks, northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin seem to
be targeted for frequent rain-producing low pressure systems. The National
Weather Service extended 8 to 14-day outlook for May 10-16 forecasts above
normal rainfall over the Midwest and Great Lakes.
