Regional Outbreaks of Severe Weather Through Early Next Week; Early Season Heat Wave across the South

Active spring pattern across the center of our nation with several episodes of severe weather and heavy rainfall expected into next week. The potential for very large hail, long track tornadoes, severe wind gusts, frequent cloud to ground lightning strikes and flash flooding are in the outlook. Furthermore, dangerous early season heat wave continues for the Gulf Coast states into early next week. Read More >

Summary

Important note: Due to the threat of ongoing flooding along the Rock River on the previously scheduled date of April 1st, the following changes were made effective Tuesday, March 12th.

~~Effective April 1, 2019,~~ flood impact categories and forecast issuance stages will change for multiple locations on the Rock River in Illinois. These changes are the result of an extensive review of flood impacts along the Rock River and were collaborated with partner agencies and stakeholders through numerous discussions and in-person meetings.

Rock River at Latham Park (NWS identifier LATI2)
Rock River at Rockford Auburn Street (NWS identifier RABI2)
Rock River at Rockford Fordam Dam (NWS identifier RFDI2)
Rock River at Byron (NWS identifier BYRI2)

Click here for the service change notice issued February 14, 2019, announcing these changes.

Rock River at Latham Park

Action Stage
Change from 9.0 feet to 8.0 feet

Minor Flood Stage
Change from 10.0 feet to 9.0 feet

Moderate Flood Stage
No change, remain at 11.0 feet

Major Flood Stage
Change from 14.0 feet to 13.5 feet

River forecasts for this location will now be issued when the water level has reached, or is expected to reach, the forecast issuance stage of 7.0 feet. Forecasts were previously issued based upon the Action Stage of 9.0 feet.

Click here for a list of flood impacts that was collected for this stretch of the Rock River.

These changes were coordinated with the Winnebago County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency and the city of Machesney Park.

This gauge represents the river reach from Swanson Road in Roscoe downstream to Shorewood Park in Loves Park.

Rock River at Rockford (Auburn Street)

Action Stage
Change from 8.0 feet to 5.5 feet

Minor Flood Stage
Change from 9.0 feet to 6.0 feet

Moderate Flood Stage
Change from 10.0 feet to 8.5 feet

Major Flood Stage
Change from 11.0 feet to 10.0 feet

River forecasts for this location will now be issued when the water level has reached, or is expected to reach, the forecast issuance stage of 5.0 feet. Forecasts were previously issued based upon the Action Stage of 8.0 feet.

Click here for a list of flood impacts that was collected for this stretch of the Rock River.

These changes were coordinated with the Winnebago County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency and the city of Rockford.

This gauge represents the river reach from Shorewood Park in Loves Park downstream to the confluence with the Kishwaukee River.

Rock River at Rockford (Fordam Dam)

Action Stage
Establish at 3.5 feet

Minor Flood Stage
Change from 3.5 feet to 4.0 feet

Moderate Flood Stage
Change from 4.5 feet to 5.0 feet

Major Flood Stage
No change, remain at 6.0 feet

No river forecasts are issued for this location. Click here for a list of flood impacts that was collected for this stretch of the Rock River.

These changes were coordinated with the Winnebago County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency.

This gauge represents only the areas immediately upstream of the dam in downtown Rockford.

Rock River at Byron

River forecasts for this location will now be issued when the water level has reached, or is expected to reach, the forecast issuance stage of 9.5 feet. Forecasts were previously issued based upon the Action Stage of 10.5 feet.

This change was coordinated with the Ogle County Emergency Management Agency.

This gauge represents the river reach from the confluence with the Kishwaukee River downstream to Castle Rock State Park near Oregon.

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