Thursday, June 23, 2016

Tornadoes, Low-End Derecho Leave Damage in Midwest; Severe Threat Continues in the East Thursday

June 23,2016
Severe thunderstorms will shift their emphasis to the East Thursday after tornadoes and a low-end derecho roared through parts of the Midwest and Appalachians Wednesday night and early Thursday.
At least four tornadoes were reported across parts of north-central Illinois Wednesday evening, according to the National Weather Service office in Romeoville. Damage was reported in Pontiac, Marseilles, and Seneca.
Shard of wood penetrates car's windshield in Pontiac, IL. (Credit: @weatherchannel FB friend Kyle Piers)

Just over 120 reports of either high thunderstorm winds or wind damage were reported to NOAA's Storm Prediction Center from midday Wednesday through early Thursday morning from northern Illinois to Virginia.
The temporal and spatial distribution of those wind reports qualified the event as a low-end derecho, according to the criteria used in a 2005 study.
(MORE: What is a Derecho? | Summer's Derecho Alley)
For more on Wednesday and Wednesday night's storm reports, click here to read our impacts article.
Radar, Watches, Warnings

Current Radar with Watches and Warnings
Guide to Watches and Warnings
(MORE: View National Interactive Radar Map | Difference Between a Watch and a Warning)
Below is our latest forecast thinking on the timing and magnitude of the severe threats through Friday.

Severe Weather Forecast

Thursday
  • Forecast: Scattered severe t-storms may fire up in the afternoon and early evening from the mid-Atlantic states and central Appalachians to the central High Plains of the Rockies.
  • Threats: Damaging straight-line winds, some hail
  • Cities: Cincinnati Denver | Richmond, Virginia

Thursday's Thunderstorm Forecast

Storm Reports Recap

Wednesday

As mentioned earlier, severe thunderstorms first fired up Wednesday evening across northern Illinois, spawning at least four tornadoes. Damage surveys will be conducted Thursday by the National Weather Service to solidify tornado counts and harden up tornado paths and intensity estimates.
The severe weather even disrupted a Copa America soccer tournament game at Chicago's Soldier Field.
In all, there were just over 120 reports of severe weather from roughly midday Wednesday through early Thursday morning, including a 100 mph wind gust apparently measured northwest of Battle Ground, Indiana.

Severe Weather Reports
For a complete recap on Wednesday and Wednesday night's severe weather impacts, click here to read the article.

Tuesday

Severe thunderstorms flared up in a broad zone from the mid-Atlantic states to the northern High Plains.
For a complete recap of Tuesday and Tuesday night's severe weather impacts, click here to read the article.

Monday

Strong wind gusts took down trees and power lines in parts of Indiana, Illinois and Missouri on Monday afternoon. The threat shifted eastward by Monday evening, taking down additional trees and power lines in portions of Upstate New York. Additionally, some small hail was reported in places like Rochester, New York, late Monday evening.

Father's Day Weekend

Hail as large as tennis balls, teacups and even grapefruits struck Minnesota Sunday evening as severe thunderstorms rolled through the state.
One tornado was reported near Staples, Minnesota, Sunday evening. No injuries were reported from that. However, strong wind gusts knocked a large tree onto a home in Deerwood, Minnesota, trapping three in the home and injuring one.
(LATEST NEWS: Injuries Reported in Minnesota Storms)
The same cold front brought severe weather to northeast Montana on Saturday. Hailstones up to 4 inches in diameter were reported in Wolf Point. A few locations measured wind gusts in excess of 70 mph.

Snapped An Awesome Shot? Share Your Photo!

If you crave pictures of severe weather, you've found your home here. Upload your photos or video (taking care to only take photos and videos from a safe location) to us and share your experience!
(PHOTO/VIDEO GALLERIES: Severe | Storms)

PHOTOS: Severe Weather - June 22-23, 2016

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