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 >

Overview

July 21st through July 24th brought a very humid and hot pattern across the Midwest, including northern Illinois and northwest Indiana. The high moisture and heat brought dangerous heat index readings as well as high to extreme instability for thunderstorms. Many of these storms were heavy rain producers, with some also bringing damaging winds. The upper level pattern was one that meteorologists refer to as "the ring of fire", in that there was a semi-circular pattern of storm complexes around the large dome of heat.  

  • July 21st:  Heat indices of 100° to 115° across the area.  Two rounds of thunderstorms bring isolated wind damage in far northwest IN, near the IL/WI state line, and in Streator, IL, as well as 1" to 2" of rain.
  • July 23rd:  Strong to severe thunderstorms bring heavy rainfall of 2" to 5" including flooding in Belvidere and near Rockford that briefly closed a lane of Interstate 39. Flooding also occurred in the north metro of Chicago. Isolated wind damage was observed in the strongest storms..
  • July 24th:  Heat indices 100° to 115° across the area. Thunderstorms sweep through Chicago area bringing isolated wind damage in the city as well as localized flooding.    
Radar Loop Regional radar loop from 12 a.m. July 21st through 12 pm July 25th. Created by using radar graphics from College of DuPage Meteorology

 

 

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