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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

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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