Storms expected to bring rain, possible flooding to Portage County

Metro Wire Staff

STEVENS POINT – Showers and thunderstorms are expected to move through Portage County Monday, with the potential for heavy rainfall and isolated severe weather, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters said rain amounts are now expected to range between a half inch and 1 inch in most locations through late tonight, though some areas could see totals of more than 1½ inches if storms repeatedly pass over the same spot. Urban areas and locations that received heavy rainfall on Saturday remain most susceptible to localized flooding.

“The greatest chance for 1 inch or more of rain is along and south of Highway 29,” the NWS said in its 4 a.m. briefing on Monday. “Localized flooding is possible, particularly in central Wisconsin and the Fox Valley.”

The timing of severe weather shifted slightly earlier, with the greatest risk now forecast between noon and 6 p.m. today. While confidence is low due to uncertainty about sunshine and instability, forecasters warned that isolated strong to severe thunderstorms could form.

If storms intensify, the main hazards include damaging winds of 40 to 60 mph, hail up to half an inch in diameter, and flash flooding in both rural and urban areas.

The probability of more than 1 inch of rainfall has decreased to 30–50% across central and east-central Wisconsin, and the threat of more than 2 inches of rain remains low. Most precipitation is expected to taper off by late tonight