pen_artist

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.

Chasing in true midwestern fashion!

LOT does mention a few tornadoes being possible tomorrow night but really looking like an intense wind event regardless of convection. Gusts around 60mph not out of possibility.

Am I wrong in assuming we will experience a decent wind threat in the Chicago area tomorrow night? Full disclosure, I am rather novice with forecasting so mainly go off what others share in the forums but I am surprised there hasn't been as much activity here. Just curious, thank you in advance.

Just got put under the DuPage TOR warning. Wind really gusting now. Getting to safe spot.

Just got the upgrade to enhanced a bit west of Chicagoland. Fully expecting the 60% hatched tor next update, high risk next update

Adding on to the great weather recently trend, enjoyed a beautiful day at Wrigley today watching Cubs pull out a win at the very end

Mesoscale disco out highlighting tornado watch incoming for NE & E IL, N IN, and extreme SW MI.

Curious what the 00z HRRR will show. 18z HRR showing around 18z Saturday a bit more of a decent environment entering into N IL/S WI. Has anyone had any thoughts on this threat for Chicago area?

Most recent HRRR run (20z) returning to showing some discrete cells in Chicagoland between 6PM-11PM.

Thought I would get a thread started. Models looking relatively consistent today for an event early next week in Great Lakes region. Day 6 Day 7

Thought I would go ahead and get a thread started for what is looking to be a more consistent signal for an subform wide severe weather event this coming weekend. Day 4-5 discussion: A rather potent mid/upper shortwave trough for this time of year will develop eastward from the Mid/Upper MS Valley to the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic vicinity Sunday and Monday. At the surface, a deepening low will move across IA and WI/MI on Sunday, before lifting east/northeast across Ontario and Quebec on Monday. A trailing cold front will sweep across the Midwest and likely be approaching the I-95 corridor by Tuesday morning. Enhanced midlevel southwesterly flow associated with upper trough atop a very moist/unstable boundary layer will set the stage for a multi-day severe weather episode ahead of the eastward-advancing cold front. All severe hazards appear possible on Sunday from portions of eastern IA through southern WI/MI into much of IL/IN, northern KY, and western OH, as a linear convective system moves east across the region. Tornado potential likely will be focused closer to the surface low track, and along a warm front extending from the low east/southeast across parts of southern WI/MI into northern IL/IN. The system will continue east on Monday, impacting portions of the upper OH Valley/Lower Great Lakes/central Appalachians vicinity. The surface low will be shifting further northeast into Canada. Nevertheless, large-scale ascent associated with the upper trough, and moderate vertical shear atop very moist and unstable boundary layer will continue to support severe convection ahead of the eastward advancing cold front. Damaging winds will likely be the greatest concern on Monday.

Looks to be some initiation occurring west of Madison now. Looking to be the first start of something breaking through the cap regionally.

Just got a decent hail storm here. Some penny to marble sized hail. Although this hasn't been the *ideal* spring pattern with some cold shots (and as others have mentioned this has been a relatively on par spring for the Great Lakes) recently, it has been relatively active svr wise IMBY compared to recent springs.

Tornado watch out now for Chicagoland into NW Indiana and Southern Wisconsin until 10 CDT. Don't know probs yet but will update on that.

Agreed, is crazy to see some counties in Northern Iowa in both WWA and the PDS watch.

Is anyone able to get an image of this outlook on a county level for N IL?

00z HRRR showing pretty quick recovery after first round of cells move through C IL. Has a 2nd round of more intense moving through the heart of the metro between 6-9pm.

Not to put too much stock into it (and this is more so my compensation for not having as deep of a knowledge in meteorology) but the end of the 0z HRRR has STP values ranging from 6-12 over much the Chicagoland area.