Late Season Storms Rumble in Great Lakes

Summer thunderstorms are on the weather menu for a few northern spots tonight.

A disturbance tracking across Canada will bring a strong cold front through the Upper Midwest tonight. Just a small area in northern Wisconsin may see a gusty, hail-producing storm.

The Storm Prediction Center has placed a Slight Risk of severe thunderstorms over the Upper Midwest. This includes Eau Claire and Wausau, Wis. The main concern will be damaging gusts of wind up to 60 mph and large hail perhaps up to the size of golf balls. An isolated tornado or two cannot be ruled out as well.

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a severe thunderstorm watch across northwestern Wisconsin through 1 a.m. CDT. These storms have been capable of producing damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail up to 2 inches in diameter. 

As this front pushes east, the severe risk will follow with the focus primarily on areas surrounding the Great Lakes. With plenty of daytime heating as well as high instability aloft, severe thunderstorms may develop ahead of this front Wednesday afternoon and evening. 

If you need to be out and about, be sure to keep a close eye on the weather. Understand the difference between a weather watch and a warning. A watch means that an area is being monitored for dangerous weather. A warning means that dangerous weather is imminent. time to have a plan of action and move to the general vicinity of a storm shelter or safe area is when a watch is issued.

Keep in mind that lightning is one of Mother Nature's most dangerous killers. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning, even if the sun is shining. Also remember, "Turn Around, Don't Drown" when coming to flooded roadways.

Be sure to download the WeatherBug smartphone application so you can check the latest watches and warnings. The app also includes Spark, which tells you where the nearest lightning is so you can quickly get to safety before a storm arrives.