Independence Day showers and storms

DECATUR, IL. (WAND) - Good morning and happy Independence Day! Many of you have plans today involving grilling, backyard parties, and sparklers, but you’ll also want to include staying weather aware as well.

We start the day with sunshine, and temperatures warm to the upper 80s once again. A Heat Advisory remains in place through 7pm highlighting heat index values in the mid 90s again.

After 2pm, a round of scattered showers and storms will ignite. These may intensify into strong to severe storms as they roll east through the 4/5 pm hour. Watch for strong wind gusts, a few rounds of torrential downpours, and small hail.

By sunset, only a few isolated showers and storms may remain, which may allow you to light up fireworks and sparklers, but keep an eye on radar in case a few more pop up. A few more showers stick around Sunday, but we’ll dry off by Monday, and move into a slightly cooler pattern as well.