A Stormy Thursday

It's been an active day across much of the nation, including right here across southern Wisconsin. Storms with plenty of lightning and heavy rain have been ongoing through the morning hours and additional storms will be with us as the day wears on. The heavy rain has led to some impressive rainfall amounts. This map is rainfall over the last 12 hours from 9pm through 9am. 

The downpours have led to localized flooding on area roads too.  Check out this picture near Grafton stopping these workers from crossing over the water covered road.  Which by the way is a smart move. As little as 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away a small car, while 2 feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters. Please turn around and find an alternate route if you encounter water covered roads.  Parts of Ozaukee county have been put under a flood warning by the Milwaukee River near Cedarburg for rising water levels.  Minor flooding is forecast to continue into this weekend as water levels may continue to inch upward over flood stage.

Meanwhile, the tornadoes across the southern plains yesterday and that batch of severe weather was triggered from an area of low pressure that is headed our way. This low will continue to ride up this boundary of warmer air and should arrive in southern Wisconsin by early this evening. This low could continue to trigger additional storms.

There is a slight risk for severe storms across the entire viewing area later this afternoon with the main threats including heavy rain, gusty winds and possibly larger hail.  Please keep a close watch on the forecast today and download our First Alert Weather App. You can track the rain and another great tool it provides is \"future\" precipitation. It's another way our weather team can help you stay ahead of the storm.

I'm meteorologist Rebecca Schuld