Widespread rain and scattered thunderstorms are moving through the greater Quad Cities this afternoon through this evening.
The National Weather Service office in the Quad Cities is forecasting an area of low pressure moving out of the Southern Plains, up towards eastern Iowa, and then into the eastern portion of Wisconsin.
Meteorologist Zach Uttech says that's going to bring a lot of Gulf moisture northward into the region.
“Actually pretty anomalous for this time of year, considering it is the first week or two of January. So we expect widespread light to moderate rain. There could be some embedded thunderstorms with the rain, too. A little bit of thunder is actually possible.”
Uttech says the entire listening area could see between a half inch and an inch of rainfall totals today. The area is under a level 1 out of 5 for isolated severe storms that could bring damaging winds and a tornado or two.
The anomalous rainstorm may clear ice jams on area tributaries.
The National Water Prediction Service estimates the Rock River in Moline could reach minor flood stage by this Sunday.
Uttech says today's rain will cause the river to rise a little bit as that water runs off.
“But at the same time, with the mild temperatures, highs in the 50s, it may act to actually flush the ice jam out of the Rock River. So it is possible we look at improving conditions as that ice melts, and then the runoff from the rain continues to flush the ice down the river. So that could be some positive news with the system rolling through.”
Uttech says colder, more seasonable temperatures are expected this weekend. The Quad Cities office is watching a second storm system coming through Friday into Saturday that could bring over two inches of light snow to the area.
This story was produced by WVIK, Quad Cities NPR. We rely on financial support from our listeners and readers to provide coverage of the issues that matter to the Quad Cities region and beyond. As someone who values the content created by WVIK's news department, please consider making a financial contribution to support our work.
