Thunderstorms lambasted northern Missouri and sections of central Illinois producing
stunning 6 to 8" rains in a region still reeling from flooding and wet ground. The
stunning rains were part of a complex of thunderstorms -- what meteorologists refer
to as an "MCS or Mesoscale Convective Complex. These are the bright clusters of
thunderstorms visible on satellite animations which seem to spring from thin air --
then linger for hours. A powerful and persistent low level wind extending from the Gulf
of Mexico north to the Plains fueled early Wednesday's storms, supplying them a rich,
nearly unlimited supply of moisture of hot humid air which has dominated the Plains.
Thunderstorms with MCS's are prolific lightning producers and can linger for 6 to 8 or
more hours. Linneus, Missouri was hardest hit with 8.61" while nearby Ethel reported
7.88" . New storms, towering to heights of 55,000 ft., flared late Wednesday in Iowa
and threatened a new round of heavy. Golf ball size hail and 60 m.p.h. accompanied the
storms in Nevada, Iowa -- just east of Ames.
KANSAS BROILS NEAR 100∞ WEDNESDAY
Temperatures reached the century mark in Kansas. The hot dome of air will continue
supporting t-storm clusters along its northern periphery.
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
