MADISON, WISCONSIN — A cold front capable of producing heavy rainfall is expected to swing through eastern Iowa, northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, with Cedar Rapids, Madison and Milwaukee sitting directly in the front’s path, according to forecast guidance valid through Wednesday, August 5 at 8:00 AM EDT. Forecasters say they will continue monitoring trends and potential flooding risks over the coming days as the system approaches.
Front Tracks From Des Moines Through the Great Lakes
The forecast track shows the cold front extending in a long line from near Des Moines, Iowa northeastward through Cedar Rapids, Madison and Milwaukee, before continuing across Lake Michigan and into Lansing and Saginaw, Michigan. Projected rainfall totals along this track include 0.01 inches near Des Moines, 0.02 inches near Cedar Rapids and Milwaukee, and 0.05 inches near Madison and Green Bay, with the heavier, more concentrated totals shown in yellow clustered near the Wisconsin-Michigan border and into the Saginaw Bay region.
The front is being tracked as it advances southeastward across the Upper Midwest, with two arrows on the forecast map showing the system’s projected movement toward Chicago, Lansing and Detroit by Wednesday morning.
Localized Heavier Totals Possible Near the Great Lakes
While most of the track shows relatively light projected totals under a tenth of an inch, isolated pockets of heavier rainfall, shown in yellow on the map, are possible near the Wisconsin-Michigan state line and stretching into the Saginaw Bay area. Small green patches indicating light rainfall are also visible farther south near Charleston and Lexington, though the main axis of concern remains focused on the eastern Iowa, northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin corridor.
Forecasters emphasize that exact rainfall totals remain uncertain this far out, and the potential for localized heavier bands capable of producing flooding concerns will need to be monitored as the event draws closer.
Timing Late Tuesday Into Wednesday Morning
The heavy rain risk is timed for late Tuesday, August 4 through Wednesday morning, August 5, with the forecast snapshot valid at 8:00 AM EDT Wednesday showing the front pushing through the Great Lakes region. Areas from Des Moines through Cedar Rapids, Madison, Milwaukee and eventually Detroit should watch for the front’s progression through the middle of next week…