08/04/08 DISC: IA/IL/IN/MI

[John Wetter]

Another example of crap reporting:

I don't know that chasers can do anything about this other than have it not be you, but here is another fine example of reports just taking up someone's time.

With the online distribution of things like SN, it just makes more visible all of the completely idiotic reports that the NWS gets in during an event. I've taken my fair share of these and I shake my head every time. It's refreshing to get a well informed person reporting.

On to the storm, it looks like Chicago will be picking up for a while. Just saw the 94mph gust on the waterfront posted.

 

[Skip Talbot]

Looks like a mesovortex or possibly an embedded supercell just passed over Knox, IN. Pretty interesting to watch on radar.

I was watching the storm come in from Will County, IL and saw no rotation and not even a well defined shelf cloud, just a rather mushy gust front. Winds were subsevere and no hail. A tornado warning went up on the west end of town minutes later though, spurring IKEA to move all of their customers including my folks into the center part of the warehouse to take shelter. They seemed to be quick and organized in their disaster plan, but remembering the Roanoke F4, I'm not sure the center of a warehouse is the best place to take shelter. Luckily nothing came of the warning.

 

[Tony Lyza]

CLTV is Chicago is reporting "widespread major damage" in Mt. Morris, Ogle County, IL. A fairly intense circulation at the front of the line did push through that area. What has been reported in LSRs so far include a home destroyed, grain bins blown out, and a cell tower toppled. There was also a report of several homes severely damaged in Bolingbrook, Will County, IL (where there was another fairly intense mesovortex on radar), and widespread damage from a possible tornado in Griffith, Lake County, IN, the town bordering mine to the NE (that was the product of another rather intense circulation).

 

[Danny Neal]

Intense storms moved through at about 8:07 PM

Video #1 - 7:50 PM - Tornado Warning issued for Southern Cook County

Video #2 - 7:56 PM - Tornado Sirens going off in Evergreen Park

Video #3 - 8:00 PM - Gust Front coming in with frequent lightning

Video #4 - 8:10 PM - Derecho Hits

Video #5 - 8:14 PM - Worst of it moves to the east

Overall it was fun! I measured a 68 MPH gust.

 

[Adam Lucio]

Fun little summer bow echo moved through. First time I heard the sirens from my house in about 6 years...all the other times I was chasing somewhere else. Some tree damage around the neighborhood, noted a few power flashes and a local buisiness had its roof sign blown off. Finally managed to get some lightning pics from this year. Ill take it!

From my neighbors tree:

 

[Darrin Rasberry]

Craig Maire reported 60+ mph winds and penny-sized hail on a "50 yard long chase" outside his new Des Moines apartment at midnight last night. The storm came out of nowhere, and caught us both by surprise. Not Chicago-quality, but enough to go SVR and do some damage around Des Moines. Too bad I stayed in Ames thinking it was going to die off with the hot 7h temps and what I thought to be lack of forcing to keep it going up.

Was there actually a tornado near Chicago, or was it just wind damage?

 

[Steve Mirsky]

According to the DVN sounding the capes were about 7000 ( forecast surface capes almost 7800) and the lifted index about -13. Thrown in the fact the on SPC mesoscale analysis the downdraft capes were running about 1000. Seldom have I seen the the atmosphere that was so unstable in this area. It was obvious that somewhere in Southern Wisconsin/ Northern Illinois was going to get hammered.

 

[Danny Neal]

There were 3 confirmed tornadoes in and around the Chicago Metro area. I am really interested in seeing if they will send a team to the Mount Morris area in Ogle County. The amount of damage that I have heard from around there is indicative of 90+ mph.

 

[Tony Lyza]

The tornado in Griffith was rated EF2, with winds of 120 MPH. 5mi path, 30y wide. It's 6mi from my house as the crow flies. The tornado struck right across Cline Ave./IN 912 from where my mom's cousin and his wife (her Godparents) live. I will probably go up there to check out the scene after the situation calms down a bit. Damage even outside the tornado track is extensive in central Lake County.

 

[Jim Zandonai]

Saw the storms coming toward us on Monday evening and saw the strongest part heading south of my location..So headed south from my house into S. Winnebago county..Looking at the radar saw a massive complex with 60kft tops..I thought man this going to be good ! As I Got down to the New Milford area it got very dark and windy and rain poured in..I could hardly see. A very impressive storm. So my target for N. Ogle county wasnt reached due to late decision. Ran into 55-60mph winds and saw a tree down on 251 and called in my report.Lightning was the most intense I have seen in a long time too..Followed it east a little and then headed back..A cornfield was flattened in N. Ogle county in addition to numerous trees down..Sorry didnt get any pics this time around..some video clips but havent had time to upload..nice clips Danny.. Love those local chases

 

[Skip Talbot]

Well this is how close you can get and not see anything. The black dot just above the word Tornado is the location of my house:

That's less than a mile. Between the houses and trees I doubt I would have been able to see anything even if I had known it was there. Official report:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=lot&storyid=17139&source=0

 

[Adam Lucio]

Dang Skip, talk about your backyard nader.

Heres a clip taken from my bedroom window, since my window faces north and the winds blew in a wall of water as the complex moved SE i couldn't keep rolling. Interesting to see the power get knocked out across the street from me, yet the power in my house only flickers, you can also hear the winds knocking glasses off my shelf.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgtyHbzr4ao

This on is sorta the "calm before the storm" eeryness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hTSAbjT0jo

 

[Danny Neal]

Has anyone heard whether the damage in Ogle County was purely straight-line winds? NWS LOT issued a report found in Skips post above, but failed to mention any of the damage around the Mt. Morris area. Some of the most significant damage was said to be reported around there, perhaps they are still investigating?