T'Storm Warning for Southeastern DeKalb County

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO/ROMEOVILLE IL
220 PM CDT TUE MAY 31 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHICAGO HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
SOUTHEASTERN DE KALB COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS...

* UNTIL 315 PM CDT

* AT 215 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL...AND
DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR
SOMONAUK...OR NEAR SANDWICH...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.

* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR...
LITTLE ROCK...PLANO AND HINCKLEY AROUND 225 PM CDT.
SUGAR GROVE AROUND 230 PM CDT.
MONTGOMERY AROUND 235 PM CDT.
NORTH AURORA...BATAVIA AND AURORA AROUND 240 PM CDT.
WEST CHICAGO...GENEVA...DUPAGE AIRPORT AND WARRENVILLE AROUND 245
PM CDT.  CAROL STREAM...WINFIELD AND WHEATON AROUND 250 PM CDT.
OTHER LOCATIONS IMPACTED BY THIS SEVERE THUNDERSTORM INCLUDE BOULDER HILL...BLOOMINGDALE...GLENDALE HEIGHTS...LINCOLNWOOD AND GOLF

Flooding in Montana

I-90 exit to Little Big Horn Battlefield



Pryor, MT Golf Course: North of the Crow Reservation





Horses near Crow Agency

Flood Watches/Warnings and Advisories continue for Montana as recent rain and significant snow melt over the past couple of weeks has hit some areas hard with flooding.  Just this past weekend the governor ordered more National Guard troops to the town of Roundup to help with the floods efforts.  Meanwhile, over four dozen troops have been helping the Crow Reservation.  



Cloudy right now; Storms possible later?

12:15pm Update:  A few showers moving through along with the cloud cover has helped to stabilize our atmosphere, decreasing our severe weather potential for this afternoon.  Greatest severe weather threat remains east of the Rockford area where the sunshine has helped further destabilize the atmosphere.


Showers currently moving through eastern Iowa this morning will continue to push across the Mississippi River, although the line seems to be weakening some.  A strong area of low pressure sits in northwest Minnesota with a trailing cold front extending south through central Iowa.  This cold front will move across southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois during the afternoon and could be the focus for a few stronger storms later this afternoon and evening.  A slight risk still remains over south-central Wisconsin and north-central Illinois for today with a moderate risk across Michigan.  This is likely where the greatest instability will remain due to ample amounts of sunshine.  Warm, moist air continues to stream north ahead of the front as we've seen filtered sunshine so far.  The big question remains just where the storms will develop as the front moves through; either right overhead or to the east.  There could be a few showers that develop later this morning before the cold front pushes through.  With the front coming through I believe storms will probably form very close to the Stateline and then race to the east across southeast Wisconsin and northeast Illinois.  The main threat with any of these storms would be gusty winds as there isn't much directional shear (changing of the wind with height) because the main low is well to the north.  As always we'll be here and should anything change we'll let you know right here on the blog.

Severe Threat Tomorrow Afternoon

Source: SPC

Tomorrow afternoon, the Storm Prediction Center out of Norman, OK does include the Stateline in a slight risk for severe weather. We will have a cold front pushing into the area from the west late tomorrow afternoon and evening that could trigger some thunderstorms. However, we will have a lot of warm air aloft tomorrow which will be an inhibiting factor to the vertical development of any storms. For that reason, I'm cautiously optimistic that severe weather will avoid the area tomorrow. Still, the FirstWarn Weather team will be on top of the situation tomorrow. Happy Memorial Day!

Here's the synopsis by the SPC:

DAY 2 CONVECTIVE OUTLOOK
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
1229 PM CDT MON MAY 30 2011
VALID 311200Z - 011200Z
...THERE IS A SLGT RISK OF SVR TSTMS TUE ACROSS PARTS OF THE UPPER
MIDWEST/GREAT LAKES REGION...

...SYNOPSIS...
MID-LEVEL SUBTROPICAL RIDGING NOW PRESENT ACROSS MUCH OF THE EASTERN U.S...SOUTHWESTWARD INTO THE MEXICAN PLATEAU...APPEARS LIKELY TO REMAIN GENERALLY STRONG THROUGH THIS FORECAST PERIOD. HOWEVER...MODELS STILL INDICATE THAT ONE IN A SERIES OF CLOSED
LOWS/SHORT WAVE TROUGHS WILL CONTINUE PROGRESSING WITHIN SEASONABLY STRONGER FLOW AROUND ITS WESTERN AND NORTHERN PERIPHERY.

THE CYCLONIC CIRCULATION CENTER ASSOCIATED WITH THIS LATTER FEATURE IS PROGGED TO SHIFT INTO AREAS NEAR OR JUST NORTH OF THE NORTH DAKOTA/SASKATCHEWAN BORDER AREA AT 12Z TUESDAY...BEFORE
WEAKENING/BROADENING AND ACCELERATING EAST NORTHEASTWARD INTO NORTHERN ONTARIO BY 12Z WEDNESDAY. THIS IS EXPECTED TO OCCUR AS A SMALLER SCALE SHORT WAVE IMPULSE PIVOTS AROUND ITS SOUTHERN/ EASTERN PERIPHERY...THROUGH THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY/GREAT LAKES REGION DURING THE DAY TUESDAY...INTO WESTERN QUEBEC BY THE END OF THE PERIOD.
SOUTH OF A BROAD DEEP SURFACE CYCLONE ACCOMPANYING THE UPPER LOW...A COLD FRONT WILL ADVANCE THROUGH MUCH OF THE UPPER MIDWEST/GREAT LAKES/OHIO AND MIDDLE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY REGION. HOWEVER...THE FRONT/PRE-FRONTAL DRY LINE ACROSS THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PLAINS LIKELY WILL WEAKEN AND LIFT NORTHWARD/RETREAT WESTWARD...AS THE CENTER OF RIDGING ALOFT SHIFTS WEST OF THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY...AND ANOTHER CLOSED LOW/SHORT WAVE TROUGH DIGS INTO THE PACIFIC COAST.

..UPPER MIDWEST/GREAT LAKES REGION...
REMNANTS OF CONSIDERABLE DAY 1 CONVECTIVE DEVELOPMENT MAY BE IN THE PROCESS OF SPREADING ACROSS MUCH OF THE UPPER HALF OF THE
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY EARLY TUESDAY. AND THE INFLUENCE OF ASSOCIATED
CLOUD COVER AND PRECIPITATION ON SUBSEQUENT DOWNSTREAM PRE-FRONTAL DESTABILIZATION REMAINS UNCLEAR. STRONGER LOW-LEVEL CONVERGENCE ALSO APPEARS LIKELY TO REMAIN FOCUSED NORTH OF THE INTERNATIONAL BORDER AREA THROUGH THE PERIOD...WHICH MAY ALSO SUBSTANTIALLY IMPACT THE CONVECTIVE POTENTIAL.

HOWEVER...THE WARM SECTOR BOUNDARY LAYER SHOULD BE SEASONABLY MOIST /UPPER 60S NEAR 70F SURFACE DEW POINTS/...AND INSOLATION PROBABLY WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO CONTRIBUTE TO MODERATE CAPE BY THE AFTERNOON. COUPLED WITH FAVORABLE MID-LEVEL FORCING FOR UPWARD VERTICAL MOTION EXPECTED TO SPREAD ACROSS EASTERN WISCONSIN AND MICHIGAN NEAR AND AFTER PEAK HEATING...THIS SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO INITIATE NEW CONVECTIVE DEVELOPMENT. IN THE PRESENCE OF SHEARED 40+ KT WESTERLY
DEEP LAYER MEAN FLOW FIELDS /STRONGEST NEAR AND NORTH OF THE
INTERNATIONAL BORDER/...ISOLATED SUPERCELLS WILL BE POSSIBLE BEFORE UPSCALE CONVECTIVE GROWTH INTO ONE OR MORE ORGANIZED CONVECTIVE LINES OR CLUSTERS OCCURS. DAMAGING WIND GUSTS AND HAIL APPEAR THE PRIMARY SEVERE THREATS...BUT TORNADOES WILL BE POSSIBLE...BEFORE THE THREAT DIMINISHES/SPREADS INTO ONTARIO TUESDAY EVENING.

...LEE OF THE LWR GREAT LAKES/OH VLY INTO S ATLC COAST STATES...
DAYTIME HEATING OF A VERY MOIST BOUNDARY LAYER IS EXPECTED TO YIELD MODERATE TO STRONG CAPE BY TUESDAY AFTERNOON BENEATH UPPER RIDGING.  ALTHOUGH FORCING REMAINS UNCERTAIN...AND SHEAR WILL BE WEAK...THERMODYNAMIC PROFILES SHOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF AT LEAST LOW SEVERE PROBABILITIES...WITH THE BEST CHANCE FOR SCATTERED STORM DEVELOPMENT ON THE PERIPHERY OF THE WEAKENING MID-LEVEL HIGH CENTER.



..KERR.. 05/30/2011

Heat expands here...strong storms in the Upper Midwest

As a ridge of high pressure builds in the southeast today strong southerly winds will help push temperatures near records across parts of the Midwest and lower Great Lakes.  While we likely won't see any record breaking heat here, our record high for today is 96° set back in 1934, the lower 90s will be felt across the Stateline.  The ridge will act as a bubble keeping the bulk of storm activity to the west and northwest through this afternoon.  With a breezy southerly wind and dew points in the low 60s, it's possible that heat index readings may approach the middle 90s by this afternoon.  So if you're planning on heading out today to any parades or other events make sure you wear the sunscreen and drink plenty of water.

Unfortunately, severe weather is going to be a problem for residents in the eastern Plains and upper Midwest later this afternoon.  Ongoing storms through Minnesota this morning continue to move into northern Wisconsin as the warm air lifts north.  As those storms move out, the atmosphere will likely destabilize again as an area of low pressure and associated cold front lift northeast out of the Rockies.  This area will be the focus for stronger storms, some of which could produce tornadoes, later this afternoon.  A moderate risk has been placed from north-central Nebraska northward along the North Dakota/Minnesota border.  That system will stay north of us tomorrow, but the trailing cold front will move through during the afternoon and evening which could provide a few stronger storms; especially if our cap (lid on the atmosphere) weakens.  We do have a slight risk out for this area.

A Good Old Fashioned Hot Memorial Day!

The thunderstorm complex that caused heavy rains with some localized flooding and strong winds that caused some damage across parts of the Stateline earlier this afternoon has moved east all the way to Buffalo, New York as of 10 pm cdt.  Clouds will decrease tonight, and it will be mild with a warm front moving northward across the area overnight.  It will be mostly sunny, hot, and windy on Memorial Day with a high right around 90 degrees. It will be mostly clear, very warm and muggy on Monday night with a low around 70 degrees. On Tuesday a cool front will sweep across the area, but not before the temperature reaches the middle 80's.  There could be some strong thunderstorms that accompany the passage of the front.  On Wednesday it will be sunny and warm with a high in the low 80's, but thunderstorms could return on Wednesday night

Storm Reports

(1:11:20 PM) nwsbot: LOT: Creston [Ogle Co, IL] trained spotter reports FLOOD at 12:35 PM CDT — water over roadways. ditches full.

(12:59:07 PM) nwsbot: LOT: 3 Nnw Dixon [Lee Co, IL] cocorahs reports HEAVY RAIN of M1.38 INCH at 12:25 PM CDT — 1.22 in last 30 minutes

(12:57:06 PM) nwsbot: LOT: 2 Se Waterman [Dekalb Co, IL] trained spotter reports FLASH FLOOD at 12:49 PM CDT — water flowing over road in multiple locations on rt 23. 

(12:38:26 PM) nwsbot: LOT issues Flash Flood Warning for Boone, Cook, De Kalb, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Winnebago [IL] till 6:30 PM CDT

(12:36:08 PM) nwsbot: LOT cancels Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Lee, Ogle [IL]

Whiteside Co: 1WNW Morrison: 

Heavy rainfall since 11am - M1.70"

Lee Co: SSW Ashton: Heavy rainfall - E1.0"

Whiteside Co: NW Erie: 

Heavy rainfall in past 70 minutes - M1.80"  

Whiteside Co: Erie: Torrential rain and pea hail
E60 mph wind gust

Fog and storms this morning

12:15pm Update: A line of storms continues to move east through Ogle and Lee counties and will eventually move into DeKalb county.  Currently the line extends from near Oregon south/southeast to just west of Shabbona.  Heavy rainfall, wind gusts nearing 60 mph and frequent lightning all remain a possibility with this line as it moves through.



 Severe Thunderstorm warning for Ogle, Lee and Dekalb counties until 1:15pm


Flash Flood Warning for Lee and southern DeKalb counties has now been issued until 5:30pm.  Radar estimates of up to 3" of rain has fallen with the storms that have moved through.  Runoff, ponding in roadways and even a rise in small creeks and streams will be possible.

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings continue for Lee and DeKalb counties until 12:15pm.  The northern edge of the main line is now moving out of Whiteside county where heavy rainfall and wind gusts up to 60mph were reported.  These storms will contiue to move through Dixon, Amboy, Ashton and Paw Paw

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Lee and southwest DeKalb counties until 12:15pm.  These are for the line of storms currently moving through Whiteside counties.  These storms have had a history of producing damaging winds near Moline around 10:40am.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Carroll and Whiteside counties until noon.  Heavy rainfall and gusty winds remain the primary threat.  Places that could be affected by this storms: Savanna, Mt. Carroll, Milledgeville, Sterling, Lanark and Shannon


Flood Advisory for Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Ogle, Lee and DeKalb counties until 4:30pm.

10:45am Update: A line of severe storms continue to move south of the immediate Stateline area this morning right along I-80.  However, there have been a few storms that have developed out ahead of this main line north of the warm front.  As of right now, the only severe thunderstorm warning is for southern Whiteside county, which is on the northern edge of the main bow echo, for damaging winds.  This storm is currently moving to the east around 50 mph and will likely move into Lee county within he next hour.  The storms that have formed out ahead of the main line are not posing too much of a severe weather threat as these are north of the warm front.  Heavy rainfall, gusty winds and possibly small hail will continue to remain a threat for these storms.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for southern Whiteside county until 11:30am

9:40 am Update: Currently watchng a line of storms in southeast Iowa just southwest of the Quad Cities which appear to have bowed some.  These will likely continue to move east along and south of the warm front.  However, the northern extent of this line will push through with the continued threat of damaging winds.  Also watching storms that have formed out ahead of the main line moving to the northeast which could bring the severe weather threat here sooner.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Carroll, Whiteside, Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, Lee, DeKalb and McHenry counties until 4pm.

First:  A Dense Fog Advisory continues for southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois through mid-morning Sunday.  Low level moisture combined with light winds has created some very dense fog in some locations.  Visibility will improve as the morning continues.

Second:  I'm watching storms that have developed out in Iowa early this morning.  A warm front lies to our south, right around Peoria, and lays from west to east.  These will continue to move east through the morning and could possibly become a bow echo as they move through northern Illinois with damaging winds.  A severe weather watch will likely be issued for northern Illinois soon.

Thunderstorms on Sunday Morning Could Produce Heavy Rain

A warm front over southern Illinois will move to the central part of the state by daybreak on Sunday. With warm air from the Gulf of Mexico riding up and over the front, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected over parts of the Stateline later on tonight. As the front continues to press toward the north showers, and storms are expected to become much more widespread on Sunday morning, and may produce locally heavy rainfall.  Showers and thunderstorms will become more scattered during the afternoon, and end by the supper hour. Because of the cloud cover and rain, high's on Sunday with only reach the low 70's. It will be partly cloudy, mild, and muggy tomorrow night with a low in the middle 60's. The warm front will push to the north into Wisconsin by sunset Sunday.  It will be a mostly sunny, hot, and humid day, with a high around 90 degrees. Enjoy! A cool front will pass through the area on Tuesday afternoon with scattered thunderstorms.  The temperatures are expected to reach the low to middle 80's before the front starts cool the Stateline down later in the afternoon.  High pressure stretching from the northern plains into southern Wisconsin will clear skies out on Tuesday night, and bring the Stateline a beautiful sunny day on Wednesday with a high around 80 degrees.  The cool front will stall out across central Illinois on Wednesday night, and begin edging northward as a warm front.  Disturbances over the plains will move to the east, and may begin generating thunderstorm complexes on Wednesday night that could affect the Stateline before daybreak on Thursday. 

Weekend warmth may stick around

The cool spring pattern we've felt so far may be changing into more of a summer-like pattern for the first week or two in June.  A ridge of high pressure will build in the southeast and throughout the Ohio River Valley this weekend allowing temperatures, especially by Memorial Day, to rise well into the 80s, if not 90s.  

A warm front will lift north through the Great Lakes Saturday and Sunday which will keep a threat for storms in the forecast.  Another system will help to flatten the ridge Tuesday afternoon allowing a cold front to sweep through.  Temperatures, however, behind this front don't really look to cool a whole lot.  In fact, the ridge will begin to shift west and place itself over the middle of the U.S by next week helping to keep an active storm track across the Midwest and Great Lakes.  Looking even further into June and the Climate Prediction Center has above average temperatures remaining through the second week.  Who knows, maybe our luck is changing.

Public Information Statement on Tornado Updates

Some of this information is repetitive from Jim Allsopp's write-up below, but some of it is new:

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO IL
405 PM CDT THU MAY 26 2011

...ADDITIONAL TORNADO INFORMATION FOR WINNEBAGO AND OGLE COUNTY FROM
MAY 22...

AFTER REVIEWING INFORMATION FROM ADDITIONAL DAMAGE SURVEYS...PHOTOS AND VIDEOS FROM EYEWITNESSES...AND REVIEWING RADAR DATA...IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT MORE TORNADO DAMAGE LIKELY OCCURRED IN WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

THE TORNADO THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY DOCUMENTED FROM SOUTHEAST OF FORRESTON TO JUST SOUTH OF WINNEBAGO...APPEARS TO HAVE CONTINUED ANOTHER 10 MILES TO NEAR MACHESNEY PARK. DAMAGE OCCURRED FROM NEAR KELLY ROAD AND WESTFIELD ROAD NORTHEAST TO JUST NORTH OF HARLEM ROAD ALONG THE ROCK RIVER. THIS INCLUDES THE DAMAGE AT KENNEDY MIDDLE SCHOOL ON ROCKTON ROAD. THIS MAKES THE TOTAL PATH LENGTH ABOUT 27 MILES. PATH WIDTH WAS AROUND 200 YARDS. THE TORNADO WAS RATED EF1 WITH MAXIMUM WINDS TO AROUND 110 MPH. MOST OF THE DAMAGE WAS TO TREES. THERE WAS SOME STRUCTURAL DAMAGE AT A FARMSTEAD ON FALCONER ROAD EAST OF WINNEBAGO...AS WELL AS ROOF DAMAGE AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

ANOTHER TORNADO BEGAN NEAR LATHAM ROAD AND MERIDIAN ROAD WHERE TREES AND LIMBS WERE BROKEN. THIS TORNADO CONTINUED FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES TO STEWARD ROAD. ANOTHER BRIEF TORNADO OCCURRED NORTH OF ROSCOE. THE DAMAGE BEGAN AT A FIRE STATION JUST WEST OF I-90 AND NORTH OF ROCKTON ROAD AND CONTINUED TO NEAR I-90. THE FIRE STATION HAD DAMAGE TO GARAGE DOORS...SIGNS AND FLAGPOLES...AS WELL AS LARGE PINE TREES SNAPPED. PATH LENGTH WAS ABOUT 1 MILE AND WIDTH WAS 50 TO 100 YARDS. THE TORNADO WAS RATED EF1 WITH WINDS TO AROUND 110 MPH.

HOME VIDEO SHOWS ANOTHER POSSIBLE TORNADO IN OGLE COUNTY NEAR KINGS. THERE ARE NO DETAILS ON ANY DAMAGE FROM THIS TORNADO AT THIS TIME.

NWS: Damage in Winnebago County now likely from a tornado

From Jim Allsopp, Chicago NWS:

Eric Lenning and I have been pouring over data, reports, radar, photos, and videos. We also had a meteorologist from a private met firm from Grand Forks who happened to be in town visiting family. He tagged along with me when I was up there Monday. He did some additional surveying the last couple days. From that we concluded that the tornado that came out of Ogle County to near Winnebago...weakened slightly then redeveloped about a mile east of Winnebago. If you follow this path, all the damage up through the Kennedy Middle School and into Machesney Park near the River lines up. I lost the damage or it became very very weak after the subdivision north of Harlem along the River. This would have passed very close to WTVO and WIFR! I sent a PNS with the information.


We also had a spotter/chaser who was 100% positive he witnessed a tornado near Meridian and Latham where there was heavy tree damage. This lines up well with the damage at the fire station. When we were out there we couldn't say for sure if it was a tornado. Damage wasn't conclusive, but a firefighter claims to have seen a funnel and it lines up with Latham and Meridian. When we drove southwest from the fire station there were a few limbs broken here and there but very minor compared to what happened at the fire station. Tree damage was more impressive further southwest of the river toward the Latham-Meridian location. Likewise on the other side of I-90, just a couple limbs but very weak damage.


They are also looking into a possible tornado in Ogle County near Kings, or just north of Rochelle.  If they provide any additional information on that we will pass it along right here!

Frost, in May?

Wait...let me check the calendar!  While I don't think it's going to be anything we have to significantly worry about here frost, and maybe even a freeze, are possible for our friends in Wisconsin and Minnesota.  A Freeze Watch has been issued for northeast Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and even the western part of the U.P. of Michigan while a Frost Advisory has been issued for central Wisconsin.  The reason, well high pressure building in southern Canada will help clear skies, calm winds and pull down a lot of cool air later tonight.  Temperatures to the north are expected to reach the upper 20/low 30s.

Closer to home, I'm not all that concerned with our frost potential.  We got a lot of rain yesterday morning so the ground is fairly saturated.  Also, I don't anticipate the winds to calm and I think we'll probably keep a few clouds around through the overnight. 

Tornado Watch Cancelled

The tornado watch for Lee and DeKalb counties has been cancelled.

Flash Flood Warning -- Portions of Lee, DeKalb Counties

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED


FLASH FLOOD WARNING

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO/ROMEOVILLE IL

746 PM CDT WED MAY 25 2011



THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHICAGO HAS ISSUED A



* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...

NORTHWESTERN LA SALLE COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS...

SOUTHEASTERN LEE COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS...

SOUTHWESTERN DE KALB COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS...



* UNTIL 130 AM CDT



* AT 743 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED

SLOW MOVING THUNDERSTORMS WITH VERY HEAVY RAINFALL ACROSS THE

WARNED AREA. RAINFALL OF 1 TO 2 INCHES AN HOUR WAS OCCURRING WITH

THESE STORMS.



* RUNOFF FROM THIS EXCESSIVE RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLASH FLOODING TO

OCCUR. SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE...LA

SALLE...MENDOTA...OGLESBY...PERU...WALTON...AMBOY...EARLVILLE...PAW

PAW AND UTICA.



PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...



EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF SMALL

CREEKS AND STREAMS...URBAN AREAS...STREETS AS WELL AS OTHER DRAINAGE

AREAS AND LOW LYING SPOTS.



FLOODING IS OCCURRING OR IS IMMINENT. MOST FLOOD RELATED DEATHS OCCUR

IN VEHICLES. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS WATER COVERED BRIDGES...DIPS...

OR LOW WATER CROSSINGS. NEVER TRY TO CROSS A FLOWING STREAM... EVEN A

SMALL ONE...ON FOOT OR IN A VEHICLE.

Areal Flood Advisory for Ogle, DeKalb Counties

FLOOD ADVISORY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO/ROMEOVILLE IL
706 PM CDT WED MAY 25 2011
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHICAGO HAS ISSUED A



* FLOOD ADVISORY FOR...
LEE COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS...
OGLE COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS...
SOUTHERN DE KALB COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS...

* UNTIL 100 AM CDT THURSDAY
* AT 705 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAINFALL ACROSS THE ADVISORY AREA. DOPPLER RADAR ESTIMATED RAINFALL OF 1 TO 1 AND A HALF INCHES OF RAIN PER HOUR...AND LOCALLY HEAVIER AMOUNTS...OCCURRING WITH A LARGE AREA OF THUNDERSTORMS. THE STORMS WERE OVER CENTRAL ILLINOIS MOVING NORTH NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH.

* MUCH OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ILLINOIS ALREADY RECEIVED 1 TO 2 INCHES OF RAIN THIS MORNING...WHICH SATURATED SOILS AND FILLED CREEKS AND DITCHES. ADDITIONAL HEAVY RAIN WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF CREEKS...STREAMS...ROADS AND LOW LYING AREAS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS SAFELY.

Rainfall Totals this Morning

Freeport picked-up nearly 2" of rain this morning. Many other areas saw about 1" or more. Some areas along I-88 could see more heavy rain tonight... perhaps as much as 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch.

Sunshine aiding in storm development

Strong low pressure continues to spin in Kansas with severe thunderstorms developing out ahead of it.  The warm front sits right through our southern viewing counties with temperatures in the 60s here in Rockford and upper 70s/low 80s to the south of the warm front where the sunshine has allowed the atmosphere to destabilize this afternoon.

Severe thunderstorms are currently south of the Quad Cities and will rapidly lift northeast through the late afternoon.  The warm front will probably stay to the south, which is why Lee and DeKalb counties are under a tornado watch.  We'll be watching for any storms to pop up south of the front as those could affect the southern viewing area through the evening. 

DeKalb/Lee Tornado Watch

WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION FOR WATCH 373
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO IL
231 PM CDT WED MAY 25 2011
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 373 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN ILLINOIS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 3 COUNTIES IN NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS DE KALB LA SALLE LEE



THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...DEKALB...DIXON AND OTTAWA.

Wednesday Afternoon Update

The heavy rain from this morning has moved north but not before close to two inches was picked up in some locations.  A strong low pressure system is now moving into eastern Kansas/western Missouri early this afternoon.  A warm front extends just south of the Stateline where temperatures have reached the low 70s and dew points in the low to mid 60s.  A slight risk still remains for north-central Illinois for this afternoon while a bigger threat for severe weather lies through the mid-Mississippi River Valley. 

Current water vapor continues to show a dry push of air on the backside of the upper low which has helped to clear skies through Illinois.  In fact, we're already starting to see storms fire ahead of the low and cold front.  The clouds are starting to thin some across northern Illinois and we may even be able to squeeze out some sunshine later this afternoon.  The warm front probably won't make it as far north as the Wisconsin/Illinois state line but it may touch some of our southern counties: Lee, Ogle and DeKalb and I wouldn't be suprised if some kind of watch were issued later this afternoon.  We're still going to watch for the development of thunderstorms, especially along the front and if we clear out, later this afternoon.  While the biggest threat will stay to the south hail and gusty winds could occur through those southern counties.  Residents in our southern viewing area should be alert for severe weather later this afternoon/evening.  North of the front the storms will probably be more elevated with hail being the primary threats.

Weather radio test was postponed for today

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO IL
1203 PM CDT WED MAY 25 2011 /103 PM EDT WED MAY 25 2011/

...NOAA WEATHER RADIO TONE ALARM TEST POSTPONED TODAY...

DUE TO ACTIVE WEATHER IN THE AREA...AND THE POTENTIAL FOR ADDITIONAL SEVERE WEATHER ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE CHICAGO NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NOAA WEATHER RADIO COVERAGE AREA...THEN WEEKLY TONE ALARM TEST FOR TODAY HAS BEEN POSTPONED.

IF NO SEVERE WEATHER IS IN THE AREA...THE TEST WILL BE CONDUCTED THURSDAY MAY 26 BETWEEN 11 AM AND NOON CDT.

Another high risk expected for today

The Storm Prediction Center will likely upgrade sections of Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas to a high risk for severe weather with the next update at 8am.

Closer to home heavy rain and thunderstorms continue across northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.  The warm front sits through central Illinois this morning and as the storms lift north, they are moving into more of a stable air mass.  So the heavy rain will be the main threat with these storms this morning.

Rain/Storms moving in

(9:43:57 AM) nwsbot: LOT: Polo [Ogle Co, IL] trained spotter reports HEAVY RAIN of M1.00 INCH at 09:15 AM CDT -- 0.55 inch in last 45 minutes. standing water in yards.


(9:00:25 AM) nwsbot: LOT: 5 Nw Polo [Ogle Co, IL] co-op observer reports HEAVY RAIN of M0.95 INCH at 08:57 AM CDT -- last 4 hours. standing water in low spots.


(8:35:06 AM) nwsbot: LOT: Sandwich [De Kalb Co, IL] fire dept/rescue reports LIGHTNING at 07:50 AM CDT -- house struck by lightning - 3rd st. relayed by bristol-kendall fire dept.


(7:09:41 AM) nwsbot: DVN issues THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCING HEAVY, MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE for Bureau, Henry, Putnam, Whiteside [IL] till 8:00 AM CDT


(6:21:46 AM) nwsbot: LOT issues SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT for Winnebago, Ogle, Lee, DeKalb, Kane, La Salle, Kendall, Grundy, Will, Kankakee, Livingston, Iroquois, Ford [IL] and Benton [IN] till 7:00 AM CDT

Rain with a few embedded thunderstorms will continue to lift to the northeast this morning.  Rain showers are already beginning to overspread the Stateline.  Heavy rain, frequent lightning and even gusty winds will be a possibility with these storms as they move through.  A Tornado Watch has been issued just to the south of the immediate Stateline closer to the warm front and better instability.

Joplin Again?

Another tornado warning for the Joplin, MO area. It looks like this cell may miss the city to the north. Let's hope so! Better yet... Let's hope and pray there IS no tornado touchdown here.

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN JASPER AND EAST CENTRAL CHEROKEE COUNTIES...

AT 937 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO NEAR CARL JUNCTION...OR 10 MILES NORTHEAST OF
GALENA...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH. THIS STORM HAS HAD A HISTORY
OF PRODUCING FUNNEL CLOUDS.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE AIRPORT DRIVE...ASBURY...BROOKLYN
HEIGHTS...CARL JUNCTION...CARTERVILLE...CRESTLINE...LAKESIDE...
LAWTON...NECK CITY...NORTHERN JOPLIN...ORONOGO...PURCELL...WACO AND
WEBB CITY.

IN ADDITION TO A TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 AM CDT WEDNESDAY MORNING
FOR SOUTHEAST KANSAS AND SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI.

Rotating Wall Cloud near Shawnee, OK

Heather Brinkmann also sent this photo in from just east of Shawnee, OK. This is a rotating wall cloud, sometimes seen just before a tornado touch-down.

Update on Tornadoes in Southern Plains

While following storms just west of the Stateline viewing area, I've been keeping an eye on the severe weather in the southern Plains. Several storms developed along the dryline this afternoon -- a boundary separating moist air to the east from hot, dry air to the west -- and have raced to the east at about 50 mph. Here's a summary of what's happened so far in terms of tornado strength and damage courtesy of accuweather: http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/news/story/50084/tornadoes-about-to-swarm-the-o.asp

Fairview, OK Tornado

Our former FirstWarn Weather intern Heather Brinkmann is currently in Oklahoma this afternoon chasing and sent in these photos from Fairview, OK. 

Tornadoes in the southern Plains

Tornado Emergency coming from NWS for NW side of Norman, Moore, and south side of OKC. TAKE SHELTER NOW.



The Weather Channel is reporting that the Canadian County, OK sheriff has confirmed injuries and fatalities in their area.

LIVE streaming weather coverage from NewsChannel4 KFOR.com in Oklahoma Ciy, OK.

 

Storms developing to the west/southwest this afternoon

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for southern Whiteside County until 3:30pm

...FUNNEL CLOUD REPORTED IN WHITESIDE COUNTY ILLINOIS...


TRAINED SPOTTERS REPORTED SIGHTING A FUNNEL CLOUD NEAR ERIE IN WHITESIDE COUNTY. THE FUNNEL CLOUD IS ASSOCIATED WITH SHOWERS OR WEAK THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRING ALONG A STATIONARY BOUNDARY. THESE FUNNELS ARE TYPICALLY SHORT LIVED AND RARELY TOUCH DOWN. THE ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS THESE FUNNELS ARE DEVELOPING IN DO NOT SUPPORT STRONG...DAMAGING TORNADOES.

IN THE UNUSUAL CASE THEY DO TOUCH DOWN...THEY SHOULD BE ON THE GROUND
ONLY BRIEFLY AND PRODUCE MINIMAL...IF ANY DAMAGE. HOWEVER...IF THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS APPROACH YOUR LOCATION...MOVE INDOORS
TO A PLACE OF SAFETY.

Severe weather outbreak in the south today and tomorrow

Some areas that have been hard hit with severe weather look to have another couple long days ahead of them.  A strong jet stream combined with heat and humidity have put residents in parts Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas under the gun for what could be a possible severe weather outbreak later this afternoon.  The Storm Prediction Center has placed a high risk for severe weather over the southern and central Plains and Ozarks. A stalled boundary just to the south of us connects with an area of low pressure developing in the central Plains and this will be focus for thunderstorms to redevelop later this afternoon.  Possible long tracked tornadoes, significant damaging winds and hail will all be likely.  Elsewhere, severe storms will remain possible all along the front extending out to the Mid-Atlantic and East coast.

As the surface low and jet stream shift further east and northeast Wednesday, the severe weather threat will exist from eastern Texas through the mid and lower Mississippi River Valleys up through the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys.  Just like today the possibility will be there for significant tornadoes, damaging winds and hail.

We will remain on the northern side of this system Wednesday afternoon, however we would have to watch for the potential for a few storms south of us that may become 'elevated' if they move over the warm front.

Update on weather radios not receiving tone alerts

We've received a few questions in regards to the weather radios, Midland included, not going off during Sunday's severe weather. 

It appears that the NWS NOAA radio system in Rockford has a transmission problem that resulted in a failure of yesterdays storm announcement on most modern Weather Radios (including the Midland WR100 models that your folks were helping to get out into the public through the Logli stores). The problem appears to be in the transmitter, not the radio receivers, since all six of our company’s (as well as home units) failed to announce the tornado warning. I understand from emergency personnel that NWS is aware of the problem. Our warning came through the TV broadcasts, Weather.com alerts, and county siren.


Regards and keep up the good work.
I J "Hank" Terhorst

I did speak with someone at the Chicago NWS and they said that a tech was sent out yesterday, Monday, to look at the transmitter.  It appeared as if something was off balance and because of that it wasn't sending out the SAME codes correctly.  The problem should be fixed, but we won't know for sure until the weekly test is sent out tomorrow.

Joplin, MO tornado touches close to home

While the Joplin, MO. tornado didn't directly hit our sister station, KODE-TV, numerous employees working for the station have lost their homes.  Unfortunately, KODE's morning director did sustain injuries during the tornado and remains in intensive care.

From: Perry A. Sook - President/CEO of Nexstar

"I want to update all of you on the status of our fellow employees in Joplin. Once employees were actually able to get to their homes, the damage was greater than originally thought. In total, twelve of our Joplin employees have lost their homes. Despite their tremendous losses, every one of these employees is working extended shifts at our stations, getting news out to the people of Joplin both on air and on line.


Additionally, Matt Stevens, our KODE morning show director was transported last evening via care flight to KU Medical Center in Kansas City where he remains in intensive care for injuries sustained in Sunday’s tornado. Please keep Matt and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Nexstar has started a fund to assist our employees in Joplin that are injured or have lost their homes in Sunday’s tornado. If you wish to donate please give cash or a check to your General Manager and he/she will send it to Shirley Green at the corporate office. Corporate employees or others may send your donation directly to Shirley Green. The company will match all donations received though June 5th.

I am proud to say that the fund has an opening balance of $10,000, based on donations from our CFO Tom Cater and myself. Shirley Green and John Hoffmann will jointly oversee disbursement of these funds to our employees. If any monies are left over after our employees needs have been taken care of, we will see to it that it is donated to the local relief efforts for the people of Joplin.

Our St. Joseph, MO station, KQTV held a “drive through” fundraiser Monday evening from 5-7pm and raised $10,000 for the relief efforts for the people of Joplin. Similar fundraising activities are planned at our other stations in the region for later this week."

EF1 Tornado Near Polo

9:30pm Update: Another one near Stillman Valley.
Stillman Valley, IL

TORNADO CONFIRMED - MAXIMUM RATING EF1: 90-110 MPH
PATH WIDTH: 50 TO 100 YARDS
PATH LENGTH: 1/2 MILE
LOCATION 2.9 MILES NORTH OF STILLMAN VALLEY TO 3.1 MILES NNE OF STILLMAN VALLEY

A brief tornado took out a dual wood truss electrical transmission line tower, tore off the gable and part of the roof of a house, peeled sofit and shingles from a couple other houses, and knocked down trees and limbs. Truck trailers were also overturned.

8pm Update: Another tornado confirmed in Stateline
** CONFIRMED EF1 TORNADO **

MAXIMUM RATING: EF1
PATH LENGTH: 17 MILES
PATH WIDTH: 200 YARDS
LOCATION: 2 MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF FORRESTON TO 1 MILE SOUTH
OF WINNEBAGO, IL
TIME: 6:25 TO 6:45 PM CDT (PRELIMINARY)




Polo, IL

TORNADO CONFIRMED - MAXIMUM RATING: EF1 (86-110 MPH WINDS)
PATH LENGTH: 1 1/2 MI
PATH WIDTH: 200 YARDS
LOCATION: 1 MILE SOUTHEAST OF POLO, IL
TIME: TBD

The tornado touched down just south of incorporated Polo, just south of the intersection of Union Road and Judson Rd. A power pole was blown leaning over the road. At this point the tornado was rated EF1 with winds estimated at 85 mph.

The tornado widened slightly as it progressed to the east along Judson road, and uprooted a 20 inch diameter fir tree. At this point the tornado was still at EF1 strength, and there were branches down. The tornado then moved east and its width widened to 200 yards. There was roof damage to sheet metal roofing on 4 buildings and a wood outbuilding that was left leaning over by the tornado. In this area several 2X4’s were speared into the ground from different directions and insulation was plastered on the east and northeast face of buildings.

Another property just to the northeast of this point experienced six 16 inch diameter Norway Spruce trees snapped off, and a new wood power pole was snapped in half. It was here where the tornado reached its maximum intensity with winds at 100 mph. The tornado continued to the east maintaining its intensity (EF1 strength) another ¼ mile to the east where a grain bin was ripped off its foundation and a portion of the roof blown off to the north up against a fence. After this the winds weakened as the tornado lifted. A couple of additional grain bins were blown over, small branches snapped off, and shingles blown off roofs. Winds were estimated at 70-80 mph. Tornado lifted at 10506 Judson Road at Dailey Rd.


Rockford, IL
STRAIGHT LINE WIND DAMAGE CONFIRMED - MAXIMUM WIND RATING: 90-100 MPH WINDS DAMAGE WIDTH: 5 MILES
LOCATION: WEST AND NORTHWEST ROCKFORD, ROSCOE, AND ADJACENT WINNEGAGO CO
TIME: 6:49 PM TO 7:09 PM CDT

A fairly wide swath (up to 5 miles wide) of sporadic wind damage was observed across the west and northwest sides of Rockford and adjacent parts of rural Winnebago County. Preliminary survey results indicate this damage was due to straight line winds. However additional surveying continues and this information is preliminary only. Damage was somewhat more concentrated around the Roscoe Fire Station, where a large garage door was blown in, and around the Kennedy middle school which had part of a roof blown off.

Debris all across this area were observed to have been blown from southwest to northeast. Other than to the fire station and middle school, no structural damage was observed except where trees fell on houses. Winds were estimated to have been 50 to 70 mph across the wide swath of damage area, with a few concentrated areas of winds as high as 90-100 mph, equivalent to EF1 strength.

Joplin, MO tornado as it moves through gas station

While the video isn't clear, the audio paints a very clear picture of what those people went through. This was taken at a gas station in Joplin, MO. ****Some of the audio may not be suitable for younger people****

Viewer Photos

Chicago NWS to conduct damage survey later today

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO IL
750 AM CDT MON MAY 23 2011 /850 AM EDT MON MAY 23 2011/

...STORM SURVEY TO BE CONDUCTED TODAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILL BE SENDING METEOROLOGISTS OUT ACROSS PORTIONS OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST INDIANA TODAY TO ASSESS DAMAGE WHICH WAS SUSTAINED FROM THE PREVIOUS NIGHTS THUNDERSTORMS. SEVERAL REPORTS OF A POSSIBLE TORNADO ACROSS WINNEBAGO COUNTY IN ILLINOIS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED...AS WELL AS REPORTS OF POSSIBLE TORNADO DAMAGE IN JASPER COUNTY IN INDIANA.  THIS ASSESSMENT WILL TAKE A GOOD PORTION OF THE DAY WITH ANY NEW INFORMATION NOT LIKELY RECEIVED UNTIL LATER THIS AFTERNOON.

Monday Morning Update

Watching a few pop up showers move across south-central Wisconsin and northern Illinois this morning.  Nothing severe expected with this just a few showers, maybe a very brief down pour.  Still a potential for a few more storms later this afternoon as the mian cold front passes.

Tornado hits another major U.S. city

photos: slttoday.com

While we had some pretty significant damage here across the Stateline, nothing compares to what occurred this evening in Joplin, MO.  A tornado ripped through the city killing 24 people, according to a local newspaper.  Jasper County Emergency Management Director Keith Stammer said the St. John's Regional Medical Center on the city's south side took a "direct hit." Witnesses said windows were blown out on the top floors of the hospital.

Weather Update Continues

Severe weather threat contiues to wind down tonight as the storms move to the east into Chicago.  A few rain and thunderstorms will continue into the early morning hours.



Watching a particular line just to the west of Amboy.  It appears as if it's bowing out some.  Watch out for strong, damaging winds with this.

(9:46:51 PM) nwsbot: LOT: 5 Nw Polo [Ogle Co, IL] co-op observer reports HEAVY RAIN of M2.00 INCH at 09:35 PM CDT -- since 715 pm.

(9:44:47 PM) nwsbot: LOT extends Tornado Watch for Boone, Cook, De Kalb, DuPage, Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, La Salle, Lake, Lee, Livingston, McHenry, Ogle, Will, Winnebago [IL] and Benton, Jasper, Lake, Newton, Porter [IN] till May 23, 12:00 AM CDT

(9:39:27 PM) nwsbot: LOT issues Severe Thunderstorm Warning [wind: 70 MPH, hail: <.50 IN] for De Kalb, Lee, Ogle [IL] till 10:30 PM CDT(9:25

4

8 PM) nwsbot: DVN continues Severe Thunderstorm Warning [wind: 60 MPH, hail: <1.00 IN] for Henry, Rock Island, Whiteside [IL] till 10:00 PM CDT

(9:22:58 PM) nwsbot: LOT: 3 E Davis Junction [Ogle Co, IL] trained spotter reports HAIL of nickel size (E0.88 INCH) at 08:10 PM CDT -- near byron exit of interstate 39.

(9:14:44 PM) nwsbot: LOT expires Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Boone, De Kalb, McHenry [IL]


(9:18:47 PM) nwsbot: LOT cancels Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Cook, De Kalb, Kane [IL]

9:14:44 PM) nwsbot: LOT expires Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Boone, De Kalb, McHenry [IL]


(9:52:11 PM) nwsbot: DVN: 5 Nw Lanark [Carroll Co, IL] trained spotter reports TSTM WND GST of M60.00 MPH at 05:54 PM CDT -- wind sustained at 45 with gusts to 60 mph


(9:52:11 PM) nwsbot: DVN: 5 E Fulton [Whiteside Co, IL] trained spotter reports TSTM WND GST of M50.00 MPH at 06:08 PM CDT -- delayed report.

(9:52:11 PM) nwsbot: DVN: 1 E Milledgeville [Carroll Co, IL] trained spotter reports TSTM WND GST of E60.00 MPH at 06:13 PM CDT -- branches down.

(9:52:11 PM) nwsbot: DVN: 4 Nne Stockton [Jo Daviess Co, IL] trained spotter reports TSTM WND GST of M54.00 MPH at 06:22 PM CDT --

(9:52:11 PM) nwsbot: DVN: Freeport [Stephenson Co, IL] trained spotter reports TSTM WND GST of M52.00 MPH at 06:25 PM CDT --

(9:52:11 PM) nwsbot: DVN: S Freeport [Stephenson Co, IL] emergency mngr reports TSTM WND GST of M60.00 MPH at 06:32 PM CDT --

(9:52:11 PM) nwsbot: DVN: E German Valley [Stephenson Co, IL] emergency mngr reports TSTM WND GST of M65.00 MPH at 06:36 PM CDT --

(9:52:11 PM) nwsbot: DVN: 1 Ssw Rock City [Stephenson Co, IL] trained spotter reports TSTM WND GST of E40.00 MPH at 06:36 PM CDT --(9:52:11 PM) nwsbot: DVN: Milledgeville [Carroll Co, IL] fire dept/rescue reports TSTM WND GST of E60.00 MPH at 06:38 PM CDT -- 8 to 10 inch tree limbs down. estimated one inch of rain in the last 30 minutes.

Storms continue to move east this evening across northwest Illinois.  We're currently watching a line of storms stretching from Beliot in southern Wisconsin down through the Quad Cities.  The potential is still there for damaging wind gusts.  Extensive damage has been reported across northern Illinois.