Midwest Weather Service Issues Flood Watch and Severe Storm Alerts for Thursday

The National Weather Service has issued a First Alert Weather Day for central Wisconsin Thursday, warning of strong to severe thunderstorms with hail, strong winds and heavy rain. A Flood Watch is in effect for counties along Highway 29 and Highway 10 as the combined rainfall from Wednesday and Thursday could cause localized flooding.

Forecasts show clear, sunny conditions on Friday across the Midwest, but a cold front moving in from the Rockies is expected to trigger thunderstorms on Saturday, with rainfall rates exceeding two inches in some areas. Local officials in several Midwestern cities are urging residents to prepare sandbags, monitor updates and have emergency kits ready to mitigate flood risks.

Meteorologists note that the 2026 spring season has already seen 18% more precipitation than average, increasing soil saturation and the potential for flooding despite the short‑term dry spell. Emergency management teams are pre‑positioning resources along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers as a precaution.