It’s been so quiet since early January in terms of severe weather, the Chicago area has
slipped into the heart of its annual tornado season with little notice. But make no
mistake, we’ve entered a time of year in which the weather can swing from tranquil to
violent quickly. Weather records prove this. Of a total of 309 twisters logged by NOAA’s
National Climatic Data Center over the 16-county region which includes and surrounds
Chicago since 1950, 73 of them—nearly a quarter of this area’s tornado touchdowns
since 1950—have spun up in April. A June tally of 75 twisters makes it the only month
more active.
WEATHER WATCHES WITH LATE DAY STORM OUTBREAK?
Some active northeast-bound thunder- storms over parts of the area early today could
be followed by a more important thunderstorm outbreak this evening and early tonight.
The hours of sunlight warmth between the two clusters of storms and a surge in
atmospheric moisture in the day’s powerful, south to southwest wind gusts to 35-40
m.p.h. at times, set the stage for a late day severe weather outbreak that may
necessitate tornado or thunderstorm watches in the area.
