Mesoscale Discussion 0304
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0746 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2026
Areas affected...north-central Illinois and far eastern Iowa.
Concerning...Severe potential...Watch unlikely
Valid 311246Z - 311415Z
Probability of Watch Issuance...20 percent
SUMMARY...Isolated large hail/damaging wind threat this morning.
DISCUSSION...Several storms have developed within the last hour
across southeast Iowa and far western Illinois ahead of a weak
mid-level trough where some low-level jet enhancement is also
present. These cells are quite small, but are rotating and seem to
be relatively efficient hail producers (already 1 report of 1 inch
hail in eastern Iowa). The primary hail threat will likely be early
in the storm cycles before they congeal and some damaging wind
threat may develop. However, relatively weak instability this
morning should mitigate the overall threat. Therefore, no watch is
anticipated.