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Heat Wave Expands to the East Coast; Flash Flooding Likely in the Central Plains into the Midwest; Severe Thunderstorms in the Northeast

Dangerous, prolonged heat is ongoing in the Mid-South to Mid-Mississippi Valley and heat expands into the Northeast for a brief period today. Widely scattered instances of flash flooding due to heavy rains are forecast from northeast Kansas to much of Indiana. Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across parts of New England, northern Mid-Atlantic, and North Dakota. Read More >

Overview

Fast Facts:

A supercell thunderstorm developed over Will County, Illinois in the very early morning hours of August 17 shortly after 2 a.m. This storm would end up sustaining itself for well over an hour as it moved into northwest Indiana. The storm was substantially deep and very well organized, a combination that resulted in large hail and severe winds. While severe storms certainly can produce both, to happen concurrently in the same location is much more rare especially with hail of 1.5" and larger and winds of 70+ mph. This storm had this based on reports, degree of damage, and radar signatures. Hail and wind damage occurred from Peotone, IL in Will County to Wheatfield, IN in Jasper County.

Radar Cross Section
NWS Chicago radar (KLOT) cross section of the powerful thunderstorm.
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Additional recaps can be found on the NWS Chicago Past Events Page
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