5/25/07 DISC: IL

[Robert Rohloff]

I got a call this afternoon from a friend who was driving east on Interstate 70 who stated they had seen a "half mile wide" tornadao. Upon checking there was a Tornado Warning out on the storm. They said they think they got some photos. Since it was four cops heading to Indy for the 500 I am not too sure it was on the ground. I could not find any damage reports from the area. Any one in Illinois have any information?

 

[Gary Stofer]

The LSR for that storm didn't make the SPC's page, I thought I'd read an updated warning that indicated it was spotted on the ground by the public.
Radar signature was not at all impressive on the cell and the warning didn't last too long.

* AT 302 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR
MARTINSVILLE...OR ABOUT 12 MILES SOUTHWEST OF MARSHALL...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 20 MPH.

 

[Andrew Pritchard]

I would highly doubt that occured. Not calling your friend dumb or anything, but the environment over there was barely favorable for spin up tornadoes, let alone wedges. Also, if a half-mile wide tornado passes by Interstate 70 I have to think at least someone else would see it besides just them.

As is often the case, when a tornado warning comes out, the general public starts seeing things everywhere. The storms were linear, so I'd venture it was a low piece of scud/shelf cloud on the gust front.

 

[Darin Kaiser]

From a severe weather statement from ILX..
THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHERN CLARK COUNTY EXPIRES AT 345 PM
CDT...

AT 343 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THAT
THE THUNDERSTORM THAT HAD PROMPTED THE WARNING HAD WEAKENED...THUS
THE WARNING HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.

CALLS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT INDICATE...AT THIS TIME...THAT NO
CONFIRMED TORNADO TOUCHDOWNS HAD OCCURRED.

 

[Darin Kaiser]

Here's the real story behind the tornado report.

http://blogs.trb.com/news/weather/weblog/wgnweather/2007/05/tornado_on_the_ground_friday_a.html

 

[Robert Rohloff]

Darin, Thanks I looked at the radar about 40 minutes after they called, I did not see anything that led me to believe there was a major storm. I am looking forward to their photos when they get back. Keep in mind they are not chasers. However I had no doubt they saw what they felt was a tornado.

 

[rdale]

Half-mile wide gustnado??? The 'ultimate' sheriffnado report.