TORNADO WARNINGS and reports

[WXBUFFJIM]

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/today.html

24 tornadoes have been reported so far today as of 8:30 PM EDT. that number continues to rise. A tornado was recently sighted in Will County south of Chicago. There has also been reports of major damage in Lasalle County with people trapped. A supercell storm near Joliet could reach Chicago's southern suburbs in the next hour or two. This supercell is one of many that are spawning destructive and deadly tornadoes tonight. Seek shelter in a basement or in the lowest floor of your home if warnings are issued.

Will keep you updated on this dangerous situation throughout the night!!!

Jim

[Guest]

And all this from a SLight risk of severe weather. Goes to show ANYTHING can happen no matter the risk level.

[Matthew5]

This is a tornadoe outbreak I hope every one is all right

[wx247]

And all this from a SLight risk of severe weather. Goes to show ANYTHING can happen no matter the risk level.

Very good point. I believe that this goes to show the point that you made. SLIGHT risk of severe weather is different than a SLIGHT chance of rain. The wording of the outlooks is something I have wondered about for some time now.

[Guest]

Exactly, Garret. I have seen a HIGH risk of severe weather before, but only a 20% chance of storms. The HWO went on to say something like "if a storm develops, it will be severe..." Usually this is when a capping inversion is present. The same is true the other way. You may be seeing a good chance of thunderstorms, but only a slight risk of severe weather from them.

Personally, I take the three risk levels seriously when I am affected by them.

[Hoosierwxdude]

SPC didn't even have a slight risk in there before the outbreak! To be fair though everyone busted on this one.

[michaelwmoss]

We only had a slight risk of severe storms on Sept 20, 2002 in Central Indiana when the area was hit by an F3 Tornado that went 113 miles. One of the most destructive storms in 20 years. On the other hand, we had a High Risk last May. Nothing

Here is a link to one of the Tornadoes in Central Indiana this evening

http://www.indystar.com/articles/3/139773-3243-092.html

[michaelwmoss]

Something else about these storms: These were LOW TOPPED SUPERCELLS. No higher than about 45000 ft high. Not like the typical tornado producing supercell in the plains that can reach almost 70,000 ft high!!

Almost Tropical System Like

[pawlee]

SPC didn't even have a slight risk in there before the outbreak! To be fair though everyone busted on this one.

true that... i snagged yesterday's HWO for our area. i wonder if it is a typo and should read "northeast" versus "southwest". i say that as Champaign saw some significant action but not Springfield, Decatur or points S and W for that matter. p

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
1130 AM CDT TUE APR 20 2004

ILZ027>031-036>038-040>044-047>054-061-211200- CASS- CHRISTIAN- DE WITT- FULTON- KNOX- LOGAN- MACON- MARSHALL MASON- MCLEAN- MENARD- MORGAN- MOULTRIE- PEORIA- PIATT- SANGAMON- SCHUYLER SCOTT- SHELBY- STARK- TAZEWELL- WOODFORD- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF... BLOOMINGTON... DECATUR... GALESBURG... HAVANA... JACKSONVILLE... LINCOLN... PEORIA... SHELBYVILLE... SPRINGFIELD AND TAYLORVILLE
1130 AM CDT TUE APR 20 2004

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL ILLINOIS.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT...

WARM MOIST AIR WILL COMBINE WITH A WARM FRONT MOVING NORTH THIS AFTERNOON TO PRODUCE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE AREA. SOME OF THESE STORMS COULD BECOME SEVERE...LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. THE AREA WITH THE GREATEST THREAT IS FROM SPRINGFIELD SOUTHWEST. LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS ARE THE PRIMARY THREAT WITH THESE STORMS.