Thunderstorm Update

The line of thunderstorms is crossing into western Indiana. The intensity has diminished overall with the system. No watches or warnings have been issued with this squall line. Right now it looks like the heavier structure will go to our north. Everything will be moved out by morning allowing for another sunny day.

Storms On Radar For The Overnight

It took a while and is a good 6 to 8 hours slower than I expected but the storms are finally happening. Besides the larger storm events in Texas and Oklahoma, Illinois and Indiana are primed and ready.

A squall line has formed across Illinois and should be able to sustain its energy or slowly intensify as it moves into more unstable air which is over eastern Illinois and most of Indiana. The SPC did extend the slight risk area on the last update in include most of Indiana including Kokomo.

Look for storms to be over our area around midnight. This squall line has the potential for 1/2" hail. A possible watch box might be issued in the next hour.

Tuesday Chase Cancelled - Storms Locally Tonight

I definitely made the right decision to cancel the chase into central Illinois today. Central Illinois was selected as the chase location for a couple of reasons. It did appear the the lower 1/3 of Illinois would see clouds for most of the day and that would restrict heating. The middle 1/3 looked to be clear allowing sunshine to create heat and better instability. The only variable would be moisture and I was banking on enough of it combined with the sun to get things fired up by 3 PM.

Fast forward to this morning and the clouds covered the chase area and even extended over into Indiana. Precipitation in the form of rain has moved in to Illinois over the morning keeping temperatures down. The dewpoints also have not risen to an acceptable level. It looks like nothing everyone expected yesterday will come to fruition today.

We will still see a fast moving squall line set up hit the west edge of Indiana sometime around 8 PM and clear the state a few hours after midnight. Some strong winds and hail look to be the real threat with a possible tornado.

Stay tuned for a later update and some information about an uncoming outbreak for Thursday and Friday.

Chase Update

It looks like I will be holding back from chasing in Illinois today. Things do not look as favorable this morning so I am going to stay around home and make a noon time decision on any chase plans.

Tuesday Severe Weather Update (& Chase)

Severe weather should be over our area in the evening and overnight. As usual you can expect more of a squall line type of scenario. I will give a better update tomorrow around noon.

Also I will be out tomorrow doing a chase in Illinois. I anticipate better chances tomorrow for tornadoes and will be start in Normal around 1 PM.

Severe Weather Tuesday

This update will focus on the potential for severe weather Tuesday across our area. A slight risk covers a portion of the western area of Indiana and to the south. This includes a large portion of Illinois.

Storms should move into Indiana late afternoon into the evening and cross the state during the overnight. Storms will likely be ahead of a weak cold front and most will be linear in nature. Some isolated cells could proceed the squall line.

Hail and wind in addition to lightning look to the the predominant threat with tornadoes always possible. Severe weather will be very dependent on dew points and clear skies across Illinois allowing afternoon heating providing enough energy to get storms going before they run into cooler evening weather in Indiana.

Severe Weather Possible Tuesday & Thursday

Several waves of severe weather will make their way across the US this week. Those waves look to cross our area on Tuesday and Thursday even though a small potential exists other days as well. It will be a week of watching the SPC forecasts and models and seeing how predictions verify.

Where are we?

I know many times people read a forecast and and hear generic geographic terms used and are never quite sure where they are. For us, we are right on the boundary between Ohio Valley and Upper Great Lakes.

Great Weather for the Weekend

The rain is moving out was wasn't a soaker here like in the south. The weekend is shaping up with 60 degree temperatures and sunshine for both days. Enjoy them as Monday looks to flip back on the rain switch.

The active severe weather pattern looks to make it up our way by the middle of next week.

To all of the spring break people heading south, watch out for severe weather as it will continue through the weekend across large portions of the Dixie and plain states.

Cold Front Pushing Through

A cold front will push across the state this morning allowing a high pressure to move in and clear out the rain by noon. Look for a cooler and drier afternoon and tomorrow with highs near 50. Tonight the clear skies bring rapid cooling to the upper 20's. Rain moves back in for Thursday and Friday.