(Lincoln, IL) — The latest outlook from the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center continues to focus on central Illinois, for heavy rain potential later this week and weekend. Amounts of three to seven inches are possible across the Illinois River valley, with a couple inches even across southeast Illinois. The exact placement of this heavy rain area is still a bit uncertain, and will likely be adjusted in the coming days. While rain is in the forecast from this evening all the way into Sunday, the most likely periods of heavy rain are tonight and Thursday, then again Friday night through Saturday evening. The amount of rain may lead to a potential for flooding, especially near rivers and streams.