National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Snow Across the Great Lakes, Central Appalachians, and Northeast; Unsettled Weather in the West

Light to moderate snow will continue into Saturday over the Great Lakes, Central Appalachians, and Northeast. This weekend into next week, a series of atmospheric rivers will bring gusty winds, periods of heavy rain, and mountain snow to northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Colder temperatures are in store for the weekend from the Great Lakes to East Coast. Read More >

The events of Friday, May 30, 2008, spanned from strong winds not related to thunderstorms, to large hailstones, to heavy rainfall and flooding, and to strong winds that were related to thunderstorms. The following is a map of all reports received by the NWS office in Romeoville on Friday.
Weather Reports received by the NWS office in Romeoville on Friday, May 30 2008

 

The morning started off with a Tornado Watch across a portion of western Illinois into the Chicagoland area. No tornadoes occurred, but a wake low did develop off of a line of storms that traveled across Iowa and eventually weakened in Illinois. This wake low tracked along the Wisconsin/Illinois border through mid to late morning and produced sustained winds of 45 to 55 mph for up to a half hour at some locations, with gusts reported up to 65 mph. These strong winds caused tree damage and power outages, mainly across far northern Illinois. These winds also may have capsized a 37ft charter boat on Lake Michigan in which everyone fortunately was rescued. Here is a depiction of surface map from Friday morning showing the wake low near Rockford.
Wake Low Surface Map

 

The following two images from the Doppler radar in Romeoville show the effects of the wake low near Waukegan.   The first image depicts the strong wind velocities (> 80+ mph just above the surface) while the second shows the arcing band of rain left over after the earlier thunderstorms.
Radar Velocities of Mesolow
Reflectivity of Mesolow

 

After this wake low came through, the attention then shifted to an evolving severe weather threat across central Illinois and northwest Indiana in an airmass less affected by the earlier convection. Storms developed in the late afternoon and brought large hail, strong winds, and heavy rain from Grundy County down to Ford County and eastward into Indiana. Ping pong to tennis ball sized hail was reported from a storm that went through Manteno in Kankakee County. Two semi-trailers were overturned, one on Interstate 57 near Paxton in Ford County and another on Interstate 55 near Braidwood in Will County. Here is another radar image showing the strong thunderstorm that produced the tennis ball sized hail in Manteno. The first image shows the reflectivity while the second shows the Vertically Integrated Liquid (VIL). With VIL values at the highest end of the spectrum, especially for a storm fairly close to the radar, it is no surprise that such large hail was reported.
Tennis Ball sized hail storm in Manteno
As these storms started to develop and track over the same areas, flooding became the main concern as flood advisories and flash flood warnings were issued. Doppler radar estimates and spotter reports showed that about 3 to 6 inches of rain fell along a band from Iroquois County eastward into northern Benton County, where some roads remained closed as of Saturday morning.

 

Here is a listing of all the storm reports from Friday:
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO/ROMEOVILLE IL
1059 PM CDT FRI MAY 30 2008

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1015 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG 3 E ROCKFORD            42.27N 89.00W
05/30/2008                   WINNEBAGO          IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            LARGE TREE DOWN ACROSS WOODLAND DRIVE.

1015 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST ROCKFORD AIRPORT        42.20N 89.10W
05/30/2008  M63.00 MPH       WINNEBAGO          IL   ASOS

            MEASURED WINDS HAVE BEEN CONTINUOUSLY BETWEEN 45 AND 55
            KNOTS FOR OVER 15 MINUTES NOW. EVENT CONTINUES AS OF 1033
            AM CDT.

1015 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG ROCKFORD                42.27N 89.06W
05/30/2008                   WINNEBAGO          IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            ROOF BLOWN OFF A BUILDING AT ROCKFORD AIRPORT.

1045 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG 2 SE MCHENRY            42.32N 88.26W
05/30/2008                   MCHENRY            IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            WIND GUSTS UP TO AROUND 40 MPH WITH TREE LIMBS AND POWER
            LINES DOWN.

1050 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST ISLAND LAKE             42.28N 88.20W
05/30/2008  M64.00 MPH       MCHENRY            IL   MESONET

1055 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG WOODSTOCK               42.31N 88.44W
05/30/2008                   MCHENRY            IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            MEASURED WIND GUST OF 57 MPH WITH 4 FOOT IN DIAMETER TREE
            DOWN AND MULTIPLE POWER LINES DOWN.

1055 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG ROCKFORD                42.27N 89.06W
05/30/2008                   WINNEBAGO          IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SMALL LIMBS DOWN NEAR INTERSECTION OF I90 AND BUSINESS
            US-20.

1100 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG WOODSTOCK               42.31N 88.44W
05/30/2008                   MCHENRY            IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TREE ON HOUSE NEAR BIRCH AND JULIE STREET. INJURIES
            REPORTED.

1100 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG WOODSTOCK               42.31N 88.44W
05/30/2008                   MCHENRY            IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            UNKNOWN AMOUNT OF INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH FALLING DEBRIS
            NEAR INTERSECTION OF KISHWAUKEE VALLEY AND ROSE FARM
            STREET.

1100 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG WOODSTOCK               42.31N 88.44W
05/30/2008                   MCHENRY            IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            LIGHTPOLE IN INTERSECTION OF RT. 47 AND RT. 120.

1100 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG WOODSTOCK               42.31N 88.44W
05/30/2008                   MCHENRY            IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TREE ON HOUSE NEAR BIRCH AND JULIE STREET.

1100 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG 6 N MARENGO             42.33N 88.60W
05/30/2008                   MCHENRY            IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            LARGE TREE ON HOUSE WITH NUMEROUS TREES DOWN ALONG
            KISHWAUKEE VALLEY ROAD BETWEEN GARDEN PRAIRIE ROAD AND
            ILLINOIS 23.

1100 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 6 SSE BEACH PARK        42.35N 87.81W
05/30/2008  M58.00 MPH       LMZ740             IL   C-MAN STATION

1102 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST MUNDELEIN               42.27N 88.00W
05/30/2008  M51.00 MPH       LAKE               IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

1110 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG MARENGO                 42.25N 88.60W
05/30/2008                   MCHENRY            IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            LARGE TREE DOWN NEAR FOREST ST. AND HWY 23.

1110 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG LIBERTYVILLE            42.28N 87.97W
05/30/2008                   LAKE               IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TREE DOWN ON ELLIS AVENUE AT WINCHESTER RD.

1122 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG 2 E WAUKEGAN            42.37N 87.83W
05/30/2008                   LAKE               IL   BROADCAST MEDIA

            37 FT. LONG CHARTER BOAT CAPSIZED IN LAKE MICHIGAN WITH 7
            PEOPLE ON BOARD. ALL WERE RESCUED A HALF HOUR LATER BY US
            COAST GUARD.

1130 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG LIBERTYVILLE            42.28N 87.97W
05/30/2008                   LAKE               IL   AMATEUR RADIO

            ESTIMATED WIND GUST 55MPH. 30 FOOT TREE DOWN ACROSS POWER
            LINES NEAR RT. 137 AND DES PLAINES RIVER.

1132 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG MARENGO                 42.25N 88.60W
05/30/2008                   MCHENRY            IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            OVERTURNED SEMI ON RT. 20 AND I90.

1136 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST ROCHELLE                41.92N 89.06W
05/30/2008  M53.00 MPH       OGLE               IL   AWOS

            REPORT FROM ROCHELLE AIRPORT.

1145 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST GURNEE                  42.38N 87.94W
05/30/2008  M61.00 MPH       LAKE               IL   MESONET

            MEASURED AT SCHOOL MESONET.

1145 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG WAUKEGAN                42.37N 87.87W
05/30/2008                   LAKE               IL   AMATEUR RADIO

            ESTIMATED WIND GUSTS OF 55 MPH WITH TREES AND LARGE
            BRANCHES DOWN NEAR LEWIS AVENUE.

1153 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG MALTA                   41.93N 88.86W
05/30/2008                   DE KALB            IL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TREES DOWN.

1155 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST DE KALB                 41.93N 88.75W
05/30/2008  M52.00 MPH       DE KALB            IL   AWOS

            MEASURED AT DE KALB AIRPORT.

1200 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 E CHICAGO             41.88N 87.59W
05/30/2008  M58.00 MPH       LMZ741             IL   C-MAN STATION

            MEASURED AT HARRISON-DEVER CRIB.

1200 PM     NON-TSTM WND DMG STREAMWOOD              42.02N 88.17W
05/30/2008                   COOK               IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            ESTIMATED 55 MPH GUSTS WITH SMALL TREE LIMBS DOWN.

0401 PM     TSTM WND GST     5 S GILMAN              40.69N 88.00W
05/30/2008  M60.00 MPH       IROQUOIS           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            5 MILES SOUTH OF GILMAN ON INTERSTATE 57.

0410 PM     TSTM WND DMG     CISSNA PARK             40.57N 87.89W
05/30/2008                   IROQUOIS           IL   PUBLIC

            MULTIPLE LARGE TREES DOWN.

0413 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 SW PAXTON             40.45N 88.11W
05/30/2008                   FORD               IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            OVER TURNED SEMI IN MEDIAN ON INTERSTATE 57 NEAR MILE
            MARKER 264.

0445 PM     HAIL             FREELAND PARK           40.61N 87.49W
05/30/2008  M1.00 INCH       BENTON             IN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0445 PM     HAIL             DUNNINGTON              40.56N 87.49W
05/30/2008  M1.00 INCH       BENTON             IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

0515 PM     HAIL             S OXFORD                40.52N 87.25W
05/30/2008  M0.25 INCH       BENTON             IN   PUBLIC

0520 PM     HEAVY RAIN       EARL PARK               40.69N 87.42W
05/30/2008  M1.20 INCH       BENTON             IN   EMERGENCY MNGR

0520 PM     HEAVY RAIN       FOWLER                  40.62N 87.32W
05/30/2008  M2.85 INCH       BENTON             IN   EMERGENCY MNGR

0525 PM     HEAVY RAIN       5 W WATSEKA             40.78N 87.83W
05/30/2008  M1.52 INCH       IROQUOIS           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            STREETS IN WATSEKA ARE FLOODED AND FIELDS AND DITCHES ARE
            FULL.

0528 PM     HEAVY RAIN       MAPLE PARK              41.91N 88.59W
05/30/2008  M1.00 INCH       KANE               IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            1 INCH OF RAIN IN THE LAST 20 MIN. 3 MILES WEST OF 47 ON
            RT 38

0540 PM     TSTM WND DMG     5 SW MILFORD            40.58N 87.76W
05/30/2008                   IROQUOIS           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            NUMEROUS TREES DOWN WITH ONE ON A TRAILER.

0603 PM     FLOOD            MILFORD                 40.63N 87.70W
05/30/2008                   IROQUOIS           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            ROADWAYS FLOODED IN TOWN.

0613 PM     HEAVY RAIN       4 W BOSWELL             40.52N 87.46W
05/30/2008  M1.60 INCH       BENTON             IN   TRAINED SPOTTER

0639 PM     HEAVY RAIN       CHATSWORTH              40.75N 88.29W
05/30/2008  M2.48 INCH       LIVINGSTON         IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

0641 PM     HAIL             MAZON                   41.24N 88.42W
05/30/2008  M0.25 INCH       GRUNDY             IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

0642 PM     HAIL             MAZON                   41.24N 88.42W
05/30/2008  M1.00 INCH       GRUNDY             IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

0646 PM     HAIL             MAZON                   41.24N 88.42W
05/30/2008  M0.75 INCH       GRUNDY             IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

0646 PM     TSTM WND GST     MAZON                   41.24N 88.42W
05/30/2008  M50.00 MPH       GRUNDY             IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

0650 PM     HAIL             CARBON HILL             41.30N 88.30W
05/30/2008  M1.75 INCH       GRUNDY             IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            NEAR INTERSECTION OF REED ROAD AND JUGTOWN

0651 PM     HAIL             BRAIDWOOD               41.27N 88.22W
05/30/2008  M0.88 INCH       WILL               IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

0655 PM     TSTM WND DMG     S BRAIDWOOD             41.27N 88.22W
05/30/2008                   WILL               IL   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            TRACTOR TRAILER BLOWN OVER ON I55 NEAR MILE MARKER 232.

0659 PM     TSTM WND DMG     MAZON                   41.24N 88.42W
05/30/2008                   GRUNDY             IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            6 TO 8 INCH TREE LIMBS DOWN ON CENTER STREET.

0701 PM     HAIL             COAL CITY               41.29N 88.28W
05/30/2008  M0.75 INCH       GRUNDY             IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

0701 PM     FLOOD            1 E MAZON               41.24N 88.41W
05/30/2008                   GRUNDY             IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            RT. 47 IS COVERED WITH WATER. TYNAN ROAD ALSO WATER
            COVERED.

0702 PM     HAIL             LOWELL                  41.29N 87.41W
05/30/2008  M1.00 INCH       LAKE               IN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            QUARTER SIZE HAIL REPORTED NEAR RT. 2 AND COMMERCIAL
            STREET.

0713 PM     HAIL             MANTENO                 41.25N 87.84W
05/30/2008  M1.75 INCH       KANKAKEE           IL   AMATEUR RADIO

0714 PM     HAIL             MANTENO                 41.25N 87.84W
05/30/2008  M1.00 INCH       KANKAKEE           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

0715 PM     HAIL             W WILMINGTON            41.30N 88.16W
05/30/2008  M0.25 INCH       WILL               IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            REPORTED NEAR STRIP MINE ROAD.

0717 PM     HAIL             MANTENO                 41.25N 87.84W
05/30/2008  M2.50 INCH       KANKAKEE           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            PING PONG BALL TO TENNIS BALL SIZE HAIL COVERING THE
            GROUND NEAR MAIN STREET AND RT. 50.

0736 PM     HAIL             4 E GRANT PARK          41.24N 87.57W
05/30/2008  M0.25 INCH       KANKAKEE           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            PEA TO MARBLE SIZED HAIL COVERING THE GROUND.

0740 PM     FLOOD            4 W MILFORD             40.63N 87.77W
05/30/2008                   IROQUOIS           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SEVERAL ROADS CLOSED FROM FLOODING WITH 3 TO 4 INCHES OF
            FLOWING WATER.

0740 PM     HEAVY RAIN       4 W MILFORD             40.63N 87.77W
05/30/2008  M6.00 INCH       IROQUOIS           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            6 INCHES OF RAINFALL IN THE LAST 2 HOURS.

0742 PM     FLOOD            COAL CITY               41.29N 88.28W
05/30/2008                   GRUNDY             IL   EMERGENCY MNGR

            ROADS FLOODED WITH 4 TO 5 INCHES OF STANDING WATER.

0743 PM     FLOOD            E MANTENO               41.25N 87.84W
05/30/2008                   KANKAKEE           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            STATE LINE RD AT 10500 N. 1 TO 2 INCHES OF STANDING WATER
            IN INTERSECTION AND LOW LYING PARTS OF THE ROAD.

0747 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 E GRANT PARK          41.24N 87.59W
05/30/2008                   KANKAKEE           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            POWER LINES AND LARGE BRANCHES DOWN NEAR IL. RT. 1 AND
            10050 N.

0749 PM     HAIL             HEBRON                  41.32N 87.20W
05/30/2008  M0.50 INCH       PORTER             IN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            REPORTED NEAR RT. 2 AND INTERSTATE 65.

0753 PM     TSTM WND DMG     GRANT PARK              41.24N 87.64W
05/30/2008                   KANKAKEE           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TELEPHONE POLES DOWN.

0753 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 N GRANT PARK          41.27N 87.64W
05/30/2008                   KANKAKEE           IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            POWER LINES DOWN.

0800 PM     HAIL             KOUTS                   41.32N 87.03W
05/30/2008  M0.25 INCH       PORTER             IN   EMERGENCY MNGR

0802 PM     HAIL             LOWELL                  41.29N 87.41W
05/30/2008  M1.00 INCH       LAKE               IN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            QUARTER SIZE HAIL REPORTED NEAR RT. 2 AND COMMERCIAL
            STREET.

0827 PM     FLOOD            BRADLEY                 41.15N 87.86W
05/30/2008                   KANKAKEE           IL   AMATEUR RADIO

            RAILROAD VIADUCT FLOODED NEAR INTERSECTION OF BROOKMONT
            ST. AND SCHUYLER AVE.

0930 PM     FLOOD            2 W FOWLER              40.62N 87.36W
05/30/2008                   BENTON             IN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            US 41 2 MILES WEST OF FOWLER IS FLOODED FOR A STRETCH OF
            3 MILES.

0930 PM     FLOOD            FOWLER                  40.62N 87.32W
05/30/2008                   BENTON             IN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            HIGHWAY 18 WEST BOUND LANE IS FLOODED.

0930 PM     FLOOD            FOWLER                  40.62N 87.32W
05/30/2008                   BENTON             IN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            MERIDIAN ROAD CLOSED FROM 100 NORTH TO 300 SOUTH.