The Weather Centre: 04/30/10

Friday, April 30, 2010

Excerpt from tonight's Chicago forecast

Strong thunderstorms likely. Storms may produce large hail and strong winds. Low 61F. Winds SSW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 80%.

UPDATE ON PDS

A squall line currently entering illinois is producing hail, mesocyclones, and winds. You are urged to secure your outdoors belongings by about 6pm

Tornado watch until 8pm CDT

A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes

With strong winds surface and aloft, increasing moisture and an approaching cold front all systems are go for severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes in the Chicago area and the Midwest.

Currently a line of severe thunderstorms is racing northeast from Iowa towards northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin at speeds approaching 70 mph. These storms have produced wind damage to trees and powerline in Iowa and dropped hail up to 1 inch in diameter.

Currently these storms pose no threat to Chicago but are targeting areas in northwest Illinois west of Rockford to Dubuque and areas in southwest Wisconsin west of Madison and Janesville to the Mississippi River.