pen_artist

Got a TOR warning now just west of Elgin

Will see what happens, got activity blowing up west now near I-39

Got some quarter hail and strong winds, not sure of what the wind damage looks like though in Downers Grove/Woodridge area.

Lots of branches down here in the Woodridge/DG area. Agreed with above, best storm of year so far

Solid wind bag here in Downers Grove

Things starting off with a bang I guess. Got a few TOR warnings and a PDS warning in Wisconsin.

Sneaky ENH risk issued on this latest update. Still looks like activity dies some as it gets to NE IL though.

18z HRRR doesn't look as bad for Chicagoland showing some stronger convection firing off around noon and racing NE.

I can see the dust coming and sky darkening to my south. Not the best picture unfortunately since it's so fine.

Crazy weather day but as others have confirmed dust storm heading north through Chicago area. Just got the warning.

I know wording should always be taken with a grain of salt but this is from Paul Sirvatka at College of DuPage. Maybe a little overzealous but still eye catching nonetheless: ATTENTION: The following is a message from COD Meteorology Staff... THREAT: Explosive thunderstorms are expected to develop late this afternoon across northeast Illinois. TIMING: Expect the first and most significant storms to move across DuPage County in the 4-6PM time range with additional development into the evening. AREAS AFFECTED: Storms will be numerous across the entire Chicago metropolitan area but the exact impacts on College of DuPage are not exactly known. DETAILED INFORMATION: Near-record warmth and rising dew points will bring us our first real taste of summer today, with heat indices climbing into the 90s this afternoon. An upper-level disturbance, combined with an approaching dryline, will lead to at least scattered thunderstorm development during the afternoon rush. In what will be an extremely unstable atmosphere, any storms that form will be capable of producing very strong winds and large to very large hail, with hailstones potentially exceeding 2 inches in diameter. Depending on how low-level winds evolve, a few tornadoes will be possible—including the potential for strong (EF2+) tornadoes across the region. Additional storms may develop after the initial round and track through the Chicago metro during the early evening hours before conditions turn drier and windier overnight. Tomorrow, while the threat is expected to be less intense, scattered severe storms remain possible in the afternoon ahead of a cold front. That front will bring cooler and drier air to the region overnight Friday. ⚠️ Reminder: We will move people to shelter in the event of a tornado warning affecting any COD campus, or if a severe thunderstorm produces 2.5” hail or winds of 80 mph. Please stay alert to evolving forecasts and warnings. Stay safe and prepared! Paul Sirvatka Professor of Meteorology College of DuPage – NEXLAB

Got a bit greedy with how last year's spring went (if I recall a good amount of 60's and 70's?) and forgot this weather is very much on par for a typical April here...just a few more weeks

More of a weenie thing since storms may not be able to take advantage of it but latest HRRR 03z showing insane STP values of 12.7 near Will, Kane, Kendall counties.

Not a bad run on 18z HRRR. Timing looking optimal for Chicago area and some period of discrete-ness in storms. Dews in mid 50s with temps around low to mid 60's.

Will get new outlook in a little over 35 minutes so we shall see. For those interested, Convective Chronicles just added new video highlighting the threats.