...River flooding potential continues through the weekend with
significant flooding possible...
Numerous waves of rain are expected through the weekend across
the upper Midwest including the Rock, Fox, DuPage, Des Plaines,
and Calumet River basins in northern Illinois and southern
Wisconsin.
An unusually persistent weather pattern will remain in place
across the upper Midwest over the next several days which will
support numerous waves of rainfall. Atmospheric moisture values
are expected to be much above average for October, with forecast
precipitable water values remaining near to above the 99th
percentile through early next week. In addition, soil moisture
values range from near normal south of I-80 to much above normal
in far northwest Illinois and southern Wisconsin, with some values
reaching the 90th to 99th percentile for this time of year. The
Rock, Pecatonica, Kishwaukee, and Fox River basins are also
experiencing river levels much above average for this time of
year. Elevated river levels and soil moisture values reduce the
amount of rainfall necessary to cause flooding.
Current river forecasts, based upon rainfall through Sunday
morning of 1 to 3 inches, suggest the possibility of flooding
reaching minor to moderate severity in the Rock and Fox River
basins. Additional rainfall is possible beyond this time period
with rainfall totals increasing to 2 to 6 inches by Wednesday
morning. If this additional rainfall occurs, river flooding will
worsen, with significant flooding possible.
Those with interests along area rivers should closely monitor
later rainfall and river forecasts including the potential for
additional watches and warnings.