NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has upgraded Thursday’s severe storm risk for millions in Chicago and other parts of the Midwest, warning of widespread damaging winds and tornadoes, part of an ongoing outbreak that spawned a 350-mile derecho Wednesday.
CHICAGO, Illinois – Severe weather tore through parts of Illinois, Wisconsin and Missouri Wednesday, with winds topping 80 mph in areas, splintering trees and knocking down power lines.
And the threat isn’t over yet. A Level 4 out of 5 severe storm risk has been issued, encompassing major metropolitan hubs including Chicago and Milwaukee, placing more than 22 million Americans in the risk zone on Thursday.
OVER 400K RESIDENTS WITHOUT POWER IN THE MIDWEST AFTER DESTRUCTIVE DERECHO SLAMMED THE REGION
Renewed threats of hail, damaging winds and tornadoes will all be possible, along with the potential for flash flooding.
A powerful derecho took down trees and knocked out power to thousands around northern Illinois including Chicago, Joliet and Elgin.
According to FOX Forecast Center, a derecho occurred Wednesday—a swath of damaging winds that is at least 250 miles long and 60 miles wide impacted the area.
Stretching over 350 miles, it started in Iowa and tore through Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana.
Timelapse video shows a severe storm moving into Chicago bringing heavy rainfall, gusty wind and thunderstorms. Currently, close to 172,000 customers are without power in Cook County, Illinois.
Some of these same areas are bracing for more damaging severe hazards Thursday, while storms increase the flash flood potential.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, moisture-rich storms are expected to produce widespread rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches across Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois.
MAN KILLED BY FALLING TREE IN DES MOINES, IOWA, DURING SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK
(FOX Weather)
Meanwhile, localized amounts exceeding 2 to 3 inches are possible where storms move slowly or repeatedly track over the same areas.
Let’s see what prediction markets are saying about how much rain Chicago will get this month.
Due to the rainfall, a Level 2 out of 4 flash flood risk is in place through Thursday night, which includes Chicago.
