Monday Midwest Tornado Threat
The first of two severe weather outbreaks this week will target the middle of the nation into Monday evening.
A cold front is slicing into warm air in place over the middle Mississippi Valley.
As Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski pointed out earlier on Monday, the front will trigger damaging wind gusts with and without thunderstorms over a broad area in the Midwest.
However, the thunderstorms that do form could become strong enough not only to produce hail and gusty, straight-line winds, but also a few tornadoes.
As of 7:30 p.m. EST, 1 to 2 inch hail fell in western and northwestern Illinois. Tornado watches are in effect in Missouri, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan.
A tornado a half-mile wide was reported at Rock Cut State Park near Caledonia in Boone County, Ill., with another reported nearby in Winnebago County, Ill. This tornado injured several children when a bus rolled on its side. Grain silos, barns and other buildings were damaged or destroyed. Power lines were also knocked down, cutting off electricity to thousands of people.
Another tornado touched down in McHenry County, Ill. Other tornadoes touched down in Walworth and Racine Counties, Wisc. These tornadoes downed trees, overturned semis and caused structural damage with debris on roadways.
Missouri is having its share of severe weather, with hail reports and a tornado watch for eastern, southern and southwestern Missouri until midnight, CST.
The area of greatest concern for tornadoes through the evening hours Monday stretches from southeastern Wisconsin and southwestern Michigan to central and eastern Missouri and western Kentucky. The threat area includes Milwaukee, Chicago and St. Louis.
The severe weather threat added to woes at Chicago's O'Hare Airport and connecting hubs in the region, as the weather has affected both departures and arrivals through the evening.
Motorists may be surprised by sudden gusts of wind and blinding downpours. Interstates 55,57,70,72, 74 and 80 would be most impacted by the thunderstorms.
A second, dangerous severe weather outbreak that includes tornadoes may hit the central and lower Mississippi Valley Wednesday into Thanksgiving Day.
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Severe Storm Threat Wisconsin to Nebraska
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Everest Death Toll 4 from Weekend Rush
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East Daily Downpours This Week
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Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 107° | Death Valley, CA |
| Low | 28° | Daniel, WY |
| Precip | 2.39" | Alexandria, MN |
WeatherWhys®
People need to pay close attention to the UV index during this time of year. On a sunny day late in the spring and into the summer, the UV is usually at least an 8, which is very high. Readings over 11 are considered extreme values in which only 10 minutes of full exposure to the sun will produce a sunburn.
This Day In Weather History
New Hampshire (1814)
A tornado crossed Merrimac, Litchfield, Londonderry and North Chester. The same storm produced hailstones that had an 11-inch circumference and weighed 1/2 pound.
Northeast (1989)
More rain in an already wet month. Monthly totals topped 11 inches at New York City, 9 inches at Bridgeport, Conn., and 8 inches at Baltimore (all three totals set records for May).
Rough Weather
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