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Tim from Springfield (IL)

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Posts posted by Tim from Springfield (IL)

  1. Huge change this afternoon to tomorrow's Day 2 slight, now it covers basically STL eastward to the Mid-Atlantic, including roughly I-72 southward in Illinois:

    https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day2otlk.html

     

    ...The Ohio Valley Region and vicinity...
       Morning convection -- and possibly some accompanying severe
       potential -- should be ongoing over the Ohio vicinity, and will
       shift southeastward across the central Appalachians through the
       morning in tandem with a mid-level vort max.  Subsidence aloft in
       the wake of this feature -- within background ridging -- should
       maintain a capping inversion, which should hinder new convective
       development through the day ahead of a weak/advancing front/wind
       shift, associated with the next in a series of mid-level vorticity
       maxima progressing through west-northwesterly flow aloft.
    
       At this time, degree and timing of new storm development over the
       Ohio Valley remains quite uncertain, but current thinking is that
       scattered to isolated storms should develop along the weak boundary,
       from lower Michigan southwestward to Missouri, with the first storms
       possibly initiating by around sunset.  Convection would then spread
       east-southeastward with time across the Ohio Valley states,
       gradually increasing in coverage with time.
    
       Given steep lapse rates aloft, instability will support vigorous
       updrafts -- aided by the moderately strong west-northwesterlies
       through a deep layer.  Along with potential for large hail, damaging
       winds will also be possible -- particularly if storms can grow
       upscale locally into line segments/clusters.  The storms should
       continue through the overnight hours in an east-northeast to
       west-southwest band, crossing the central Appalachians and possibly
       moving into the Tennessee Valley through the end of the period.
    
  2. Not sure if the next three days warrant a separate severe thread but this was prompted by huge changes this afternoon to tomorrow's Day 2 outlook.

    The narrow marginal risk for today from the LOT CWA to NW OH remains intact at this time.  Also a marginal in C/W Minnesota too:

    https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html

     

    ...Great Lakes including portions of IL/IN/OH and Lower MI...
       Scattered thunderstorms are still expected to develop this evening,
       initially across northern Illinois and the southern Lake Michigan
       vicinity, and subsequently expand and develop eastward across other
       parts of the region through the overnight. This activity will be
       focused along/just north of a northward-advancing warm front as
       low-level warm/moist advection increases.
    
       In an environment characterized by steep mid-level lapse rates and 
       MUCAPE of 500-1000 J/kg in the presence of 30-45 kt effective-shear,
       the more robust elevated updrafts may produce occasionally severe
       hail. A seemingly less certain risk of locally damaging winds cannot
       be ruled out, particularly if storm mergers/organization occurs in
       immediate proximity of the surface warm front.
    
       ...Eastern Dakotas/western Minnesota...
       Isolated thunderstorms are expected to develop by evening across
       parts of the region, influenced by weak height falls and increasing
       warm advection related to an amplifying trough over the Canadian
       prairies. While the overall environment will not be particularly
       moist, given steep mid-level lapse rates and ample shear through the
       cloud-bearing layer, it is conceivable that a couple of the stronger
       storms could produce hail to near severe levels tonight.
    

     

  3. 2 hours ago, StormChaser4Life said:

    It's seriously embarrassing what ILX does. They always refer to SPC discussion. Like do your own analysis. DVN was uncharacteristically conservative. LOT great as always. Not sure what the other offices aren't seeing

    IMO, even the wording of both the local area forecast for Sangamon County and their point-and-click for my location (Chatham, IL) both make it appear that ILX doesn't seem impressed about this storm threat, at least for this area.  

    Their current Sangamon County forecast for tomorrow: "Warmer. Rain showers and thunderstorms."  No mention of severe yet.  Point and click only shows the generic "showers and thunderstorms" with no severe mention either.  That doesn't sound like "enhanced/moderate risk for severe" to me. 

    It was worse earlier today: "Rain showers and some thunderstorms."  That especially doesn't scream "severe" to me; more like a "few showers with a rumble of thunder or two."

    Either ILX's forecasting is a joke, or they're seeing something for this area that we and the other models/NWS offices are not.

    I'm sure tomorrow's morning ILX HWO will have the "conference call for emergency managers" statement at the end of the outlook, for sometime late in the morning for areas in at least the Enhanced risk.  Maybe even some of the Slight areas too.

    Also, how much stock does anyone on here take in local TV weathercast "Futurecast radars."  None of the ones I've seen on the three major newscasts in the Springfield/Decatur/Champaign market at 6PM seemed to put much activity (other than a few isolated cells) in the current MDT/hatched TOR area.  It looked as if they wanted to get more isolated storms going roughly along and east of a STL-LaSalle line, with some intensifying and expanding in size.  Not impressed with what I saw on local news tonight, even though they were emphasizing SPC's moderate risk prediction.

     

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  4. The Northern IL Severe Weather blog's take on Saturday, including an interesting map:

    https://nilsevereweather.weebly.com/blogs-weather-updates/severe-weather-threat-increasing-across-illinois-on-saturday-all-hazards-possible-nisw?fbclid=IwAR3Fl2HpqFhOeBgOlPMxSpq_jdqNQJaRwm5oWerPGRYns_cBgLWV7S-s_ag

    The blogger also linked to the following SPC map image, including a radar image of long-tracked cells tracking straight northeast west and north of Peoria.  With a serious-looking long-tracked cell shown from west of Canton to LaSalle-Peru.  Plus some nasty cells over and just northeast of PIA:

    Picture

     

    • Like 1
  5. Going to start a separate thread for the current end-of-week severe threats, especially what may be the big show in IL on Saturday (after the rare Day 3 afternoon update):

    https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day3otlk.html

     

    Also, the 2:49 CDT Day 1 now has a slight entering the STL Metro East area in IL, with a narrow hatched hail area from E KS to E MO:

    https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html

     

    Most of the sub is in Marginal for Day 2 at this time:

    https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day2otlk.html

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  6. ILX with the evening forecasts just extended the WWA to the I-55 corridor, including Springfield, Lincoln, and Bloomington.

    Snow/sleet/freezing rain mix in Chatham (10 miles southwest of State Capitol) now.  Glaze of snow and sleet on ground now.  Reports of roads starting to get slick, and Google Maps traffic map showing slow go on I-55 and I-72 here in Sangamon County.

    MIxed precip + Saturday night + lackadaisical snow/ice removal in Springfield area in recent years = Travel unadvisable in SPI tonight

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  7. Last night Flash Flood Watches were posted in the Peoria area and in much of northern Illinois for the threat of additional heavy rains on top of saturated soil from Friday's deluge.

    Looks like ILX dropped the ball completely on what happened in the Springfield area overnight (and early yesterday morning too).

    At least 2+ inches (and some reports of even higher) and flooded roads early this morning in the SPI area.  And not a single flood watch, warning, or advisory issued for Sangamon County.

    Some of the precip reports:

    PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
    NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
    929 AM CDT SUN SEP 29 2019
    
    ..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
    ..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
                ..REMARKS..
    
    0700 AM     HEAVY RAIN       3 NW SPRINGFIELD        39.83N 89.68W
    09/29/2019  M3.25 INCH       SANGAMON           IL   COCORAHS
    
    0700 AM     HEAVY RAIN       4 W SPRINGFIELD         39.80N 89.72W
    09/29/2019  M3.21 INCH       SANGAMON           IL   COCORAHS
    
    0700 AM     HEAVY RAIN       2 W RIVERTON            39.85N 89.58W
    09/29/2019  M3.15 INCH       SANGAMON           IL   COCORAHS
    
    0700 AM     HEAVY RAIN       7 SSE PETERSBURG        39.92N 89.80W
    09/29/2019  M3.09 INCH       MENARD             IL   COCORAHS
    
    0700 AM     HEAVY RAIN       1 N ATHENS              39.98N 89.72W
    09/29/2019  M3.04 INCH       MENARD             IL   COCORAHS
    
    0700 AM     HEAVY RAIN       3 W EDINBURG            39.66N 89.45W
    09/29/2019  M2.93 INCH       CHRISTIAN          IL   COCORAHS
    
    0700 AM     HEAVY RAIN       4 W SPRINGFIELD         39.80N 89.72W
    09/29/2019  M2.88 INCH       SANGAMON           IL   COCORAHS
    
    0700 AM     HEAVY RAIN       SE RIVERTON             39.85N 89.54W
    09/29/2019  M2.82 INCH       SANGAMON           IL   COCORAHS
    
    0700 AM     HEAVY RAIN       7 SSE SPRINGFIELD       39.71N 89.59W
    09/29/2019  M2.73 INCH       SANGAMON           IL   COCORAHS
    
    0700 AM     HEAVY RAIN       2 E CHATHAM             39.67N 89.66W
    09/29/2019  M2.29 INCH       SANGAMON           IL   COCORAHS
    
    0700 AM     HEAVY RAIN       2 W LINCOLN             40.15N 89.40W
    09/29/2019  M2.10 INCH       LOGAN              IL   COCORAHS
    
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  8. 5/15/15 probs (5% TOR) on the 1AM Day 1.  Still SLIGHT.  Higher probs possible later in lower MI:

    https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html

    ...Midwest into the Great Lakes and Mid MS Valley...
       A long-lived MCS over far southeastern MN and western/central WI
       early this morning will likely continue southeastward across WI for
       at least the next several hours along an instability gradient. This
       line of storms should continue to gradually weaken with
       southeastward extent this morning as it encounters a less unstable
       airmass. However, strong low/mid-level flow associated with a
       shortwave trough over the northern Plains may allow these storms to
       persist for longer than most model guidance suggests. An isolated
       hail/wind threat may be ongoing at the start of the period across
       parts of northern IL and vicinity if these storms can maintain their
       intensity, especially on the southwestern flank of the line where
       instability is relatively greater.
    
       The convective scenario for today remains rather uncertain given the
       potential for this morning MCS to delay/disrupt diurnal
       destabilization, particularly with northward extent into Lower MI. A
       relatively greater chance for moderate to strong instability to
       develop may occur along a trailing outflow boundary from these
       morning storms across parts of northern IL/IN into far southern
       Lower MI. Strong large-scale forcing for ascent attendant to a
       southeastward-moving shortwave trough will overspread these areas by
       this afternoon. Additional convective development appears likely
       along or just ahead of a surface cold front by peak afternoon
       heating.
    
       The presence of a 50-70+ kt mid-level westerly jet will support
       strong effective bulk shear values over this region. Any storms that
       can form in this environment will likely become organized and pose
       an isolated large hail and damaging wind threat. Initially
       semi-discrete storms will probably grow upscale fairly quickly along
       the cold front or remnant outflow boundary, with a damaging wind
       threat potentially continuing into the evening across parts of
       central IL/IN and northwestern OH. The degree of the tornado threat
       will be dependent on storm mode, but a southwesterly low-level jet
       will overspread much of the warm sector through the afternoon.
       Isolated tornadoes will be possible given the strong low-level shear
       that will be present. Greater severe probabilities may be needed
       across some part of the Midwest into southern Lower MI, but too much
       uncertainty exists regarding morning storms to introduce them at
       them at this time.
  9. Day 2 includes slight for SE WI, and most of the N half of IL and Southern Lower MI, as well as N IN and NW OH:

    https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day2otlk.html

     ...Great Lakes...
       Models are in good agreement in a scenario with morning storms over
       the western Great Lakes in association with a strong southwesterly
       LLJ.  A lingering severe risk may accompany this activity mainly in
       the form of isolated damaging gusts before dissipating by the late
       morning.  A plume of steep 700-500mb lapse rates will advect
       northeast into the southern Great Lakes during the day.  Despite a
       capping inversion, convergence near the boundary and strong heating
       will likely lead to local erosion of the cap and isolated to
       scattered storm development by late afternoon from northern IL east
       into southern Lower MI.  A moderate to very unstable airmass is
       progged by guidance with 3000+ J/kg MLCAPE possible across IL and
       decreasing to 1500 J/kg into Lower MI.  Hodographs are forecast to
       enlarge during the late afternoon/evening across the southern Great
       Lakes concurrent with diurnal storm development.  A mix mode of
       supercells and multicells capable of all severe hazards are possible
       primarily during the 21z-03z period.  
    
       Farther southwest over MO into western IL, lower storm coverage is
       forecast but large CAPE and a wind profile supportive of organized
       storms would lend a conditional risk for severe with the stronger
       storms.  
  10. ENH risk for severe on this Labor Day from eastern ND to W WI, with slight including most of the northern half of WI:

    https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html

    ...Northern Plains through upper Mississippi Valley...
    
       A shortwave trough will amplify as it moves east southeast through
       southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, reaching the northern Plains by
       early this evening and the upper MS Valley late tonight. Downstream
       from this feature, a warm front will advance northeast, and will be
       situated from a weak surface low in northwest ND through northeast
       SD and central IA by early evening. A cold front will extend
       southward from the low through the western Dakotas and advance east
       during the evening. 
    
       A moist warm sector will reside south of the warm front. Surface
       dewpoints will range from the mid 60s to upper 70s F beneath a plume
       of steep mid-level lapse rates associated with the eastward
       expansion of an elevated mixed layer (EML). Warm air at the base of
       the EML will result in a substantial cap in warm sector during the
       day. Theta-e advection along a southerly low-level jet will
       contribute to northeastward destabilization through the Dakotas and
       into the upper MS Valley this afternoon and evening with MUCAPE
       increasing from 2000-3000 J/kg north of the warm front. Isolated
       storms with a marginal hail threat may be ongoing from SD into NE
       within zone of warm advection. However, primary severe threat is
       expected during the afternoon into the evening when forcing for
       ascent associated with approaching shortwave trough and attendant
       strengthening low-level jet will result in development of storms
       north of the warm front over northern  ND. These storms will be
       elevated, but effective bulk shear from 40-50 kt and a favorable
       thermodynamic environment will support a few supercells with large
       hail the initial primary threat. Storms may eventually evolve into
       an MCS with primary threat transitioning to damaging wind during the
       evening and overnight as activity continues southeast through MN
       into WI along instability gradient. Given favorable low-level
       hodographs, a conditional threat will exist for a couple of
       tornadoes with any surface-based storms that can develop on the warm
       front. However, current indications are that the warm sector will
       probably remain capped to parcels originating in the boundary layer.
  11. New D1 outlook has Slight across most of southern IL, but the main focus will be outside the sub in C/W MO and E KS, where there's a hatched for hail:

    https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html

    Tomorrow's D2 has a Slight reaching western IL:

    https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day2otlk.html

    
     
     Day 2 Convective Outlook  
       NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
       0100 AM CDT Fri Aug 16 2019
    
       Valid 171200Z - 181200Z
    
       ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM SOUTH
       DAKOTA...NEBRASKA AND KANSAS EASTWARD INTO WESTERN ILLINOIS..

    [ . . . ]

    ...Dakotas and northern NE into IA and IL...
       Substantial height falls will occur over the Dakotas during the day
       with increasing deep-layer shear. Storms will form relatively early
       along the cold front over the western Dakotas, and will increase in
       intensity as they encounter a destabilizing air mass to the east.
       Damaging winds and hail will be possible. Models suggest storms will
       make it into western MN by late evening, but likely weaker.
    
       ...KS into MO...
       Storms are forecast to be ongoing from eastern KS into MO Saturday
       morning, possibly in the form of an MCS on the nose of the low-level
       jet. Damaging winds will be possible initially, but a weakening
       trend is expected after about 18Z.
    
       Behind this initial activity, strong heating of a moist air mass,
       beneath cool temperatures aloft will lead to strong to perhaps
       extreme instability, with MLCAPE values in excess of 3500-4000 J/kg
       over parts of KS, northwest MO, and into NE. There is spread between
       the models regarding where afternoon and evening convection will
       initiate, and this may depend on modifying outflow boundaries. At
       this time, the greatest probability of initiation appears to be
       across the KS/MO/NE/IA quad-state area. Supercells will be possible
       initially, with all modes of severe. An MCS is likely to evolve out
       of this activity by evening as it continues east toward IL.
    
       While significant severe is possible given the parameter space, will
       defer potential "sig" severe delineation to later outlooks when
       predictability is greater.
  12. ILX not ruling out storms extending into Sunday, and the possbility of heavy rain again too in parts of the CWA:

     

    Area Forecast Discussion
    National Weather Service Lincoln IL
    352 PM CDT Thu Aug 15 2019
    
    .SYNOPSIS...
    Issued at 345 PM CDT Thu Aug 15 2019
    
    Dry and pleasant conditions will continue through this evening
    across central and southeast Illinois with partly to mostly cloudy
    skies. Then more unsettled weather is expected to move into the
    area overnight into this weekend as a couple disturbances track
    into Illinois from the central plains. Ample cloud cover will
    keep moderate temperatures again on Friday, then more sunshine
    during this weekend into early next weekend, will warm temperatures
    to above normal levels along with more humid conditions.
    
    &&
    
    .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Friday)
    ISSUED AT 345 PM CDT Thu Aug 15 2019
    
    Weak 1015 mb surface high pressure ridge extending from Lake Huron
    and Lake Michigan down across IL was providing another dry day
    for central and southeast IL with partly to mostly cloudy skies
    this afternoon. Temps at 330 pm were in the upper 70s and lower
    80s while dewpoints were in the upper 50s from Peoria nw and low
    to mid 60s se of Peoria. Scattered to broken cumulus clouds over
    IL at mid afternoon while thicker cirrus clouds were spreading
    east into parts of northern and western CWA at mid afternoon.
    These clouds were from MCS over nw MO/SW IA, far se NE and far ne
    KS. Consensus of CAMs take this MCS ESE across central MO and into
    central/sw IL overnight with increasing chances of showers and
    thunderstorms over much of CWA during overnight, and lingering
    into mid Friday morning. More redevelopment of scattered
    thunderstorms possible late Fri afternoon into Friday evening
    especially over central and southern CWA. SPC day2 outlook has
    marginal risk of severe storms over much of CWA, with a slight
    risk of severe thunderstorms sw CWA including Schuyler, Sangamon
    and Christian counties sw. The risk of severe storms now appears
    stronger during the late afternoon into mid evening over sw CWA if
    redevelopment does occur in this area due to more unstable
    conditions. There is a marginal risk of excessive rainfall for Fri
    into Fri night over much of central IL, while slight risk is in sw
    IL. Lows overnight mostly in the lower 60s with some mid 60s in
    west central IL. Highs Friday similar to today, around 80 central
    il and 80-85F in southeast IL.
    
    
    &&
    
    .LONG TERM...(Friday night through Thursday)
    ISSUED AT 345 PM CDT Thu Aug 15 2019
    
    Another MCS possible to affect parts of CWA during Friday night
    into Sat morning and have increase pops to address this
    possibly as model consensus have trended higher with qpf/pops
    then. SPC day3 outlook has marginal risk of severe thunderstorms
    Saturday along and north of I-72 while a marginal to slight risk
    of excessive rainfall too over much of area. Convection chances to
    become more isolated Sat afternoon, then models show another MCS
    to affect IA/WI/northern MO and into parts of central and northern
    IL during Sat night into Sunday morning. Excessive rainfall again
    possible but shifting further north over IL and may be a few
    strong thunderstorms too. Highs Sat in the 80s, warmest in
    southern CWA. Highs Sunday in the upper 80s to around 90F with
    heat indices Sunday afternoon in the mid to upper 90s, approaching
    100F in southeast IL.
    
    Very warm and humid conditions look to continue from Mon thru Wed
    and a bit cooler on Thu. Mid/upper level ridge expands form the sw
    States toward IL early next week and also shifts the higher
    chances of showers/thunderstorms further north and east. Have dry
    conditions Sunday night thru Monday night, then slight chances of
    convection on Tue. Have 20-30% pops Tue night and Wed with a
    disturbance and weak front moving se thru area.
    
    &&
  13. The Day 3 for Saturday hints that most of the action will be in the Dakotas and Nebraska, but marginal extends to Chicago and Milwaukee.  With a Slight Risk eventually not ruled out:

    https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day3otlk.html

     

    ..Central Plains...
       A more nebulous surface pattern will exist south of I-80 over the
       Plains with only a weak surface trough over the High Plains, and an
       expansive area of moisture and instability. A moist and unstable air
       mass will exist over NE, KS, OK, MO, and IL, with possible early day
       storms from KS into IL. The strongest heating will occur over TX,
       western OK and into southern KS, and this will be an area for
       scattered afternoon storms as the capping is eroded. Other storms
       are possible along any outflow boundaries from earlier convection,
       but predictability is low this far in advance. While isolated to
       scattered strong to severe storms capable of wind or hail are
       possible, have opted to defer Slight Risk delineation to later
       outlooks when predictability is greater.
    • Like 1
  14. Just as soon as parts of central Illinois continue to recover from Monday night's severe weather (and the heavy rain last Sunday-Monday in parts of the sub), August severe weather returns tomorrow (Friday).  Today's Day 2 shows most of the action in the Plains, but the slight risk extends into to the Metro East and the SPI area.  And a hatched area across mid-MO to STL:

    https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day2otlk.html

    ...Central Plains into the Middle MS Valley...
       Showers and thunderstorms (remnant from an overnight MCS across KS)
       will likely be ongoing early Friday morning across central/southern
       MO. Outflow from these storms (which will likely extend back into
       central KS) will act as the effective front separating the warm and
       moist conditions across southern KS/MO/IL and the southern Plains
       from the cooler conditions across northern KS/MO and the remainder
       of the central Plains and middle MS Valley. This front is expected
       to act as the primary corridor for thunderstorm development,
       although two different forcing mechanisms appear possible.
    
       The first potential impetus for convective initiation is convergence
       along the front amidst diurnal destabilization. However, given the
       relatively warm layer between 850 and 700 mb and lack of stronger
       large-scale forcing for ascent, there is some question whether
       storms will be able to develop along the front during the late
       afternoon/early evening. If storms do develop, very strong buoyancy
       will contribute to strong updrafts capable of large hail and strong
       wind gusts. The lack of stronger vertical shear suggest storms
       should quickly become outflow dominant. Given the presence of a
       surface boundary, a brief tornado or two is also possible.
    
       The second impetus for convective initiation near the front is the
       low-level jet, which is expected to strengthen across the TX
       Panhandle, western OK, and southern KS Friday evening. Warm-air
       advection into the frontal zone is expected to result in the
       development of elevated thunderstorms from east-central KS, central
       MO, and far west-central IL. Mid-level flow will be stronger here
       and the potential exist for more organized storms capable of large
       hail. Isolated very large hail (i.e. diameter greater than 2") is
       possible.
  15. Don't mean to be late to the party, but another MD for IA/N IL for late tonight.  60% watch issuance likely.

    As discussed on the main short-term severe thread, Day 1 of the active pattern which includes marginals for parts of the subforum tonight and Saturday (plus Slight in IA Sat), and D4 (Sun) & D6 (Tue) risks already posted for parts of the sub too.

    https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/md0643.html

    Mesoscale Discussion 0643
       NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
       0714 PM CDT Thu May 16 2019
    
       Areas affected...Southern and Eastern Iowa...Northern Illinois
    
       Concerning...Severe potential...Watch possible 
    
       Valid 170014Z - 170215Z
    
       Probability of Watch Issuance...60 percent
    
       SUMMARY...An isolated severe threat is likely to continue developing
       across parts of southern and eastern Iowa eastward into northern
       Illinois. Wind damage and hail will be the primary threats. Weather
       watch issuance may be needed especially as uncertainty concerning
       convective coverage decreases.
    
       DISCUSSION...The latest surface analysis has a cold front from
       eastern Nebraska extending eastward across central Iowa into
       northern Illinois. An axis of maximized low-level moisture and
       enhanced convergence near an outflow boundary exists across northern
       Illinois where convective initiation has occurred in the last hour.
       Storm development in this area should remain relatively isolated,
       moving southeastward across north-central Illinois over the next
       hour or two. A wind damage and hail threat will be possible with
       this convection.
    
       Further to the west, An axis of moderate instability is analyzed
       across southern and eastern Iowa. The RAP is estimating MLCAPE
       values in the 1500 to 2500 J/kg range and shows 0-3 km lapse rates
       exceeding 8.0 C/km along this corridor. As a capping inversion
       decreases and low-level convergence becomes enhanced along the
       front, cell initiation is expected to occur. The latest short-term
       guidance suggests that scattered surface-based initiation will take
       place by 01Z to 02Z. In addition to the instability, the WSR-88D VWP
       at Davenport, Iowa shows 0-6 km shear near 35 kt suggesting that a
       severe threat may develop as cells increase in coverage. Wind damage
       and hail will likely be the primary threats.
    
       ..Broyles/Guyer.. 05/17/2019
    
  16. LOT considering a WWA but have held off for now.  Which surprises me considering tonight is St. Patrick's Eve, on a Saturday night to boot, and all the revelers that will likely be out on the roads who could get a messy surprise tonight.  I would have probably gone ahead and pulled the trigger on a WWA for at least between the I-80 and I-88 corridors plus IKK.
     

    000
    FXUS63 KLOT 162036
    AFDLOT
    
    Area Forecast Discussion
    National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville, IL
    336 PM CDT Sat Mar 16 2019
    
    .SHORT TERM...
    300 PM CDT
    
    Through Sunday...
    
    The quick hitting shot of accumulating snow from a clipper system
    late tonight into Sunday morning is the only forecast concern.
    Trends point toward a narrow band of about 2-4" of snow centered
    near the I-80 corridor. In the hardest hit areas, potential still
    exists for a few hours of moderate to heavy snowfall rates of
    1"+/hour. However, have opted to hold off on issuing a Winter
    Weather Advisory for these reasons: lingering uncertainty in a
    setup like this with narrow banded nature and exact placement
    being essentially a now-cast; and lower impact timing and milder
    antecedent road temps. Will let evening shift take a look at
    observational trends for continued possibility of needing to issue
    an advisory.
    
    In response to elongated short-wave trough approaching the region
    tonight, lower and mid level warm advection will ramp up quickly
    and result in fairly strong frontogenesis from 925 mb up to 700
    mb, noted on model cross sections. This will also be in the
    presence of unstable conditions aloft with negative saturated epv
    above the f-gen, along with strong omega centered in the DGZ.
    Furthermore, steep mid-level lapse rates of 7C/km or higher will
    be in place. The above ingredients continue to favor conceptually
    potential for a narrow but likely rather intense area of snow.
    Mesoscale nature of much of the setup makes for a very challenging
    forecast, especially considering that there isn`t much for
    upstream trends yet.
    
    A majority of the 12z guidance shifted northward with the main
    snow axis and several even brought northern edge of accumulating
    snow up to or a bit north of I-88 corridor including Chicago. In
    collaboration with WPC and neighboring WFOs, we followed suit and
    centered an axis of about 0.25 to 0.35" liquid equivalent QPF
    near/along the I-80 corridor, yielding swath of 2-4" snow amounts
    with ratios of 11-14:1. Some of the most bullish models had
    upwards of 0.40" QPF in max swath, lending concern toward the
    heavier convective rates with the snow and locally 4-5" accums
    depending exactly where things set up. With this all being said,
    RAP/HRRR guidance was consistently south of the guidance consensus
    through the day and a look at the latest 18z NAMs showed a bit of
    a southward shift as well. This all goes to show how
    uncertain/lower confidence pinpointing mesoscale driven snow
    banding is. The other wild card is the antecedent dry air under
    the surface high, plus typically sharper cutoffs with f-gen driven
    banding, making it such that the extent of minor accums up to an
    inch or two on the fringes will need fine-tuning.
    
    Temperatures will drop to the upper 20s to around 30 tonight, with
    much of the fall this evening until clouds roll in. Slowed the
    temperature rise in the morning with ongoing snow in portions of
    the area, as soundings indicate that the snow will end vs. any
    change to rain prior to tapering off. Extent/magnitude of any road
    impacts will be likely be tied to the narrow area that receives
    the heaviest rates and accums, considering mild road temps from
    today`s strong mid March sun. Nonetheless, those expecting to be
    out driving later tonight or Sunday morning should be prepared for
    possibility of some slick roads. Most or all of the snow that
    falls will quickly melt by mid day/early afternoon as at least
    partial clearing occurs and aforementioned strong March sun. For
    the rest of St. Patrick`s Day afternoon, expect steady northwest
    winds with temps most spots in low 40s, except upper 30s parts of
    northwest Indiana where clouds will clear latest and lakeside due
    to winds turning onshore.
    
    Castro
    
    &&
    
  17. If anything similar to some of the top 15 CIPS analogs verify Saturday, Central IL could also be in for a very long evening.  Some big severe days in and near the current ILX CWA among these analogs: 

    http://www.eas.slu.edu/CIPS/ANALOG/DFHR.php?reg=MV&fhr=F060&rundt=2019022112&map=tbl

     

    --#2 analog is 2/20/2014: http://www.eas.slu.edu/CIPS/ANALOG/Event.php?reg=MV&fhr=F060&rundt=2019022112&dt=2014022018

    --#4 analog is 3/13/2006 0300 (9PM Mar. 12, 2006--just one hour after the first round of tornadoes hit the south and east sides of Springfield): http://www.eas.slu.edu/CIPS/ANALOG/Event.php?reg=MV&fhr=F060&rundt=2019022112&dt=2006031312

    --#10 analog is 1/7/1989 1800--the same day as the F4 Allendale, IL tornado: http://www.eas.slu.edu/CIPS/ANALOG/Event.php?reg=MV&fhr=F060&rundt=2019022112&dt=1989010718

     

    • Like 1
  18. 15 hours ago, snowlover2 said:

    Don't know if yesterday's event can be called a derecho but it would have been ironic if it happened today being the anniversary of the 2012 derecho. That one was a beauty.

    Also the 20th anniversary of the 6/29/1998 "Corn Belt Derecho."  (IA, most of IL, C/S IN, N KY).  Which occurred primarily south of the areas affected 14 years later on 6/29/2012.  That day SPC issued tornado watches in anticipation of the event.  I can't remember for sure but the one that was in E IA/western and central IL might have even been a PDS tornado watch (but don't quote me on that).  Many areas didn't have power restored until at least July 4th.

    https://www.spc.noaa.gov/misc/AbtDerechos/casepages/jun291998page.htm

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