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Severe Thunderstorms in the Central U.S.; Heavy to Excessive Rainfall in the Ohio Valley and Central Appalachians

Severe thunderstorms producing damaging winds, hail, and a few tornadoes are expected through Tuesday across parts of the central Plains and lower to mid Missouri Valley. Heavy to excessive rainfall could produce flooding across portions of the Ohio Valley into the Central Appalachians through Tuesday. Read More >

Overview

Fast Facts:

  • A major storm system impacted a large amount of the U.S., from heavy rain in the mid-Mississippi Valley to Great Lakes, heavy snow in Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska, severe storms and tornadoes including in Texas, and gusty winds.
  • Multiple periods of moderate to heavy rain, at times occurring with thunder, fell across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana during the weekend of April 29-30.
  • Two-day rain totals of 1.50" to over 5" were observed across the entire area, with the heaviest of 3" to 5+" centered on the Illinois River Valley to Chicago during the afternoon and evening of April 29th.
  • The highest rainfall amounts were 5.42" in Minooka near the Grundy/Will County border, and in central LaSalle County including 5.34" in LaSalle, 4.90" near Ottawa, and 4.74" in Peru. 
  • Chicago (O'Hare) officially recorded 3.27" of rainfall.
  • The rainfall brought localized flooding in numerous locations as well as sharp rises on tributaries of the Illinois River and the Illinois River itself.
  • Gusty winds were observed on Saturday evening, April 29.  The highest gusts were between 40 and 55 mph.
Radar Loop
Radar Loop from Saturday, April 29 - Sunday April, 30
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