By Tammie Souza, FOX 32 News Weekend Meteorologist - bio | email
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Severe storms rumbled through Chicago early this morning. The cluster of storms packed damaging winds up to 85 mph.
There were nearly 100 reports of winds in excess of 50 mph from southern Wisconsin through northern Illinois and into northwest Indiana. Damage included numerous large trees toppled onto roads, cars and homes along with downed power poles and lines and power outages for more than 180,000 homes.
There have been individual reports of 100 pound barbeques being flipped across yards and swing sets flying through the air in addition to a grain silo that collapsed in Indiana.
Many traffic lights were not operating due to the power outages and morning commuters faced multiple delays. Delays were also reported at both airports.
The silver lining to the storms was ¼" to 1" of much needed rainfall for most of the area. The weather pattern which spawned this morning's severe weather is known as the "Ring of Fire" and consists of a strong ridge of high pressure across the plains to our west.
Under the ridge areas of Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and southern Illinois have baked in triple digit heat while moisture from the gulf is pulled around the high pressure through the Rockies, Montana and the Dakota's in a clockwise fashion.
The resulting storms cascade down the eastern side of the ridge over Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. This pattern will be in place through early Friday and we will face several more rounds of severe weather on Wednesday and Thursday. Wind and hail are the main threats.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:32 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:32:17 GMT
A couple accused of murdering a 1-month-old boy and allegedly dumping the body in the Des Plaines River pleaded not guilty to the crime during a Thursday court hearing in Maywood.
A couple accused of murdering a 1-month-old boy and allegedly dumping the body in the Des Plaines River pleaded not guilty to the crime during a Thursday court hearing in Maywood.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:06 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:06:33 GMT
As the country looks at the relief efforts in Oklahoma, Illinois is training for the same kind of disaster. The Illinois National Guard prepares every year for disaster events.
As the country looks at the relief efforts in Oklahoma, Illinois is training for the same kind of disaster. The Illinois National Guard prepares every year for disaster events.
Thursday, May 23 2013 4:46 PM EDT2013-05-23 20:46:28 GMT
Thieves have struck a Streeterville area construction site a handful of times over the past week, taking tools and construction materials, police said.
Thieves have struck a Streeterville area construction site a handful of times over the past week, taking tools and construction materials, police said.
Thursday, May 23 2013 4:36 PM EDT2013-05-23 20:36:47 GMT
The Obama administration has picked a private attorney and former federal prosecutor to head the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced Thursday.
The Obama administration has picked a private attorney and former federal prosecutor to head the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced Thursday.
