I was not expecting much this day. I watched an intense bow echo move through Iowa and into west central IL during the morning hours. The forecast called for the anvil blowoff from this complex to impede thunderstorm development over my area with storms likely reforming over central MI back through IN and central IL. Its a pretty common scenario around here as the FROPA [frontal passage] is usually ill timed in this part of the state.
It was 12:01pm and I was preparing to leave my house for a BBQ when I suddenly heard a barrage of loud, booming thunder out of my window. Normally I can hear thunder gradually approach but this was a sudden onslaught of loud, close thunder. I fired up GR3 and noticed a tiny yet electric storm had fired over Romeoville and was B-lining for my house. I figured I would watch the storm out my window before heading out. Something I always enjoy.
I should have fired up the video camera right away because conditions went from calm to near hurricane like in a matter of seconds. Tree leaves and limbs began flying everywhere in horizontal rain and I scrambled back into my room to find my video camera. I was able to fire it up after a minute to record the rest of the storm.
Needless to say I was quite shocked at the punch this little storm dealt, but upon returning to my radar it was now severe warned and was forming into a line segment. The storm intensified really quick. I was surprised it was able to do so this early in the day especially since we were under cloud cover all morning. I guess thats what a 90/72 environment is capable of when there is a proper lifting mechanism.
I made a poor estimate of wind speed of 55mph and sent in my damage report on SN. Moments later an official 69mph gust was clocked at Midway Airport.
1744
69
MIDWAY AIRPORT
COOK
IL
4178
8775
Anyways, here is a radar shot followed by the video and damage photos.
I really wish I had been filming the storm at its beginning, normally I do but on this day I was on my way out the front door and the puny appearance on radar made me think it was just a little popcorn storm. Never judge a book by its cover.
Photos just after the storm passed [same ones in the video.]
Chicago weather event 7 18 2010
