Thanks to Dr. Walker Ashley , meteorology professor at Northern Illinois University snapped these pictures as a long-lived derecho with origins in North Dakota and southeast Saskatchewan moved thorugh the DeKalb area early Thursday afternoon.
Photos by Dr. Walker Ashley NIU Meteorology Department
Thanks to Chris Wolff who captured this dramatic shot as thunderstorms swept across Pistake Lake in McHenry around 2 p.m. this afternoon.
Photo by Christopher Wolff
Thanks to Jacob Shipley from Yorkville and Chuck Hagen from Oak lawn for sending us these timely pictures as severe thunderstorms swept through the Chicago area Thursday afternoon.
Storm over Yorkville
Photo by Jacob Shipley
Storm over Argo, Illinois
Photo by Chuck Hagen
Snapshot of the towering Wednesday afternoon cumulonimbus--one of a group which doused south suburban areas with lightning-peppered downpours
Walt Stagner of southwest suburban Yorkville, Illinois sends us this terrific shot of the towering cumulonimbi (thunderheads) responsible for thundery downpours which erupted across many of Chicago's south and southwest suburbs. Doppler radar scans put cloud tops at up to 42,000 ft.
Thanks Walt for the great shot!
Tom Skilling
Photo courtesy of Walt Stagner, Yorkville, Illinois
Thanks to frequent contributor Dan Hanson of Winter, Wisconsin for this dramatic picture of a
sunlight cumulonimbus cloud taken last Friday evening July 25th.
Photo by Dan Hanson
Steve Kahn WGN Weather Center Meteorologist
Julie Pavletich was on her morning ride in suburban Busse Woods bike trail around 5:50
a.m. Monday morning (July 28) when she came upon this scene and photographed it.
Julie explains:
" This is exactly how it looked - the fog over the ground, and the sun just poking out
over the trees in the distance."
It's a great photograph, Julie. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Tom Skilling
Photo courtesy of Julie Pavletich, Elk Grove Village
These summertime cumulus clouds were photographed by our friend Anson
Mount. Anson is a pilot and snapped this Thursday at the 7,000-foot
level over central Wisconsin. Thanks Anson!
Photo courtesy of Anson Mount
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Take a look at this image shot on a remote camera operated by SRI International under
a grant from the National Science Foundation in northern Alaska's western Brooks
Range! That's snow in the photo shown covering the ground this past Monday (July 21)
this week. It was called to our attention by Mark Vogan who was forwarded the image
by Fairbanks, Alaska National Weather Service Lead Forecaster Rick Thoman. Rick
shares this assessment of the snowfall pictured here:
Photo courtesy of SRI International and the National Science Foundation
"Looks like we've made the transition to late summer here, with cooler temps and more
clouds and stratiform rain. Cold pool of air over NW Alaska has produced some snow in
the western Brooks Range. Attached is a pix from this (Monday) morning at Ivotuk
(elevation about 1,8000 feet MSL."
"Accumulating snow at 1,800' elevation on the north side of the Brooks Range in July is
not especially unusual; it does not happen every July, but is by no means unheard of.
There are of course no long term climate sites in the this part of the world; Ivotuk is
100 miles (or so) from the nearest community."
Thanks Rick and Mark!
One note: Subsequent pictures from the site indicate the snow has melted. It's a little
early to keep snow on the ground even at this elevation and latitude.
Photo courtesy of SRI International and the National Science Foundation
Rick points out summer has returned for the time being at the same location. Above is
Friday's image from the same location.
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Kevin lange from about 60 miles northeast in Seneca took this photo of the thunderstorms as they rolled through Peoria and Bloomington around 9 p.m., Monday, July 21.
Thanks for the photos Kevin!
Photo courtesy of Kevin Lange
Keith and Rita Matthews and their daughter were on a Caribbean cruise last week when,
in Georgetown, Grand Cayman, a developing thunderstorm entered the picture.
Keith takes us from there:
"Suddenly there was a lot of lightning--huge bolts! My wife and daughter were up
on the top deck by the pool and quickly took cover as the storm rolled in. As they
looked toward the city they said they did a double-take. They couldn't believe what they
saw. It was a funnel cloud. Fortunately they had the camera and took several pictures of
it. I don't believe it ever touched down but it was incredible to see. This was just an
island storm, not associated with a hurricane. Again this was last Wednesday, July 16.
We have lived in the Chicago area all our lives and have never seen a funnel cloud or
tornado. We go to the Caribbean and, viola! A funnel cloud! Who'd of thought!"
Thanks for sharing this with us Keith and Rita! Terrific photos and quite a story!
Tom Skilling
Photos courtesy of Keith and Rita Matthews
Thanks to Chuck Hagen for this shot of a shelf cloud taken as thunderstorms raced through Iroquois County this morning.
Photo by Chuck Hagen
Thunderstorms--some towering to heights of 32,000 feet according to
Doppler scans--erupted across Chicago's northwest suburbs before noon
Friday, and then proceeded eastward.
Our friend and regular weather blog photo contributor Anson Mount sent us
this photo of the downpours as they first arrived in Algonquin.
Photo courtesy of Anson Mount
These storms won't be the last in coming days. The atmosphere is primed
to erupt with thunderstorms at regular intervals heading into the weekend. Anson
reports 0.75" fell in 20 minutes--an early indication of how much rain the heavier
thunderstorms will be producing in coming days. Many thanks for the report and
photo, Anson!
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
This gorgeous sunset was taken Monday evening in New Buffalo, Michigan by Jenna
Durante of Woodridge, IL while taking a brief vacation with her family. Thank you for the
photo Jenna.
Bill Snyder, WGN Weather producer
Frequent contributor Tracey Surface sends us photos of these amazing lightning
strokes late Friday night---one looking west from her high rise in the Montrose Avenue
area toward Lincoln and Western Avenues and the second streaking earthward toward
Lake Michigan east of Montrose Harbor.
-Tom Skilling
Mike Frankowski has outdone himself again. He sends us this shot taken in Sycamore Thursday evening right after thunderstorms swept through the area. Here lightning out of a thunderstorm anvil arcs across a sky which included this rainbow. Nice job, Mike! This is the first time I've seen anything quite like this!
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Photo courtesy of Mike Frankowski, Sycamore, Illinois
This funnel cloud spun up over Hickory Hills as Thursday evening's derecho roared into the area. Deb Kozik shares this photograph with us. She took it in her backyard around 8 p.m. Thursday. It's a terrific shot, Deb! Many thanks!
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Photos courtesy of Deb Kozik, Hickory Hills
Sue Lencioni is a flight medic with Air Angels, Inc., and has sent us these airborne shots of Thursday evening's derecho. Sue was in the air returning from Peoria when she and her crew came up on the storm. Thanks a very different angle on Thursday evening's storm!
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Photos courtesy of Sue Lencioni, flight medic with Air Angels, Inc.
Pam Moralde of WGN witnessed Thursday's ominous storm clouds near her home in Tinley Park, and was kind enough to share this picture with us for our blog. Thanks Pam for the wonderful image!
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Photo courtesy of Pam Moralde, Tinley Park, Ill.
Thursday was a busy day for Dr. Walker Ashley, a member of Northern
Illinois University's meteorology faculty, who forwards these amazing
shots to us. He storm-chased twice during the day in the De Kalb and
Kane County areas west of Chicago. It was during one of his chases he
photographed Thursday evening's southeastbound squall line sweeping into
the area. Many thanks to Dr. Ashley for the amazing shots and our best
to all involved with NIU's highly regarded meteorology program!
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Photos courtesy of Dr. Walker Ashley, Northern Illinois University, De Kalb
Many thanks to storm chaser Chad Cowan who has sent us these photos of Thursday evening's impressive storm. Great shots, Chad!
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Photos courtesy of Chad Cowan, Chicago
Many thanks to Carolyn Szepanski of Whiting, Indiana, for sharing these shots of Thursday's storm.
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Photos courtesy of Carolyn Szepanski, Whiting, Indiana
Our former intern and Northern Illinois University meteorology graduate Patrick Korellis shares this photo of Thursday evening's shelf cloud. Great shot -- and great hearing from you, Patrick!
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Photos courtesy of Patrick Korellis
Barry Hass, who shares these photos with us, reports there was "lots of
turning and churning" going on as the shelf cloud associated with
Thursday evening's derecho moved into Frankfort. We like the
description, Barry -- well put!
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Photos courtesy of Barry Hass, Frankfort, Illinois
Patti Mullen shares with us these views of Thursday evening's stormy skies over Frankfort. Thanks Patti!
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Photos courtesy of Patti Mullen, Frankfort, Illinois
That's how Noreen Stewart of South Elgin described the scene Thursday evening around 7 p.m. in that west suburban community. "As it moved over our house, it looked like a spaceship passing over." It's a great description, Noreen! This shelf cloud, which spanned the entire Chicago area and beyond as it moved in, caught the eyes of nearly everyone who saw it across the Chicago area.
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Photo courtesy of Noreen Stewart, South Elgin, Illinois
Trish Schager's photo of the storm sweeping into Joliet Thursday evening all but takes us there. Great shot Trish!
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Photo courtesy of Trish Schager, Joliet, Illinois
Photo courtesy of Rich Ricar, Western Springs
Stephani Ross, who shares this shot with us, was driving west on Route 20 in Elgin with her grandmother and cousin when she snapped this shot of the storm moving in! It's great, Stephani! Thanks!
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Photo courtesy of Stephani Ross, Elgin
Christopher Morsch sends us these dramatic shots from the Golf Club of Illinois in McHenry County Thursday evening. Thanks Christopher!
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Photos courtesy of Christopher Morsch, McHenry County
Thanks to Julie Schroeder for e-mailing us these shots from Sycamore, Illinois!
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Photos courtesy of Julie Schroeder, Sycamore, Illinois
Thanks to Tracey Surface for these revealing shots of Thursday evening's ominous skies.
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Photos courtesy of Tracey Surface, Chicago
The Lilianstrom family of Streamwood was at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet as Thursday's squall line moved in around 7:30 p.m. Al Lilianstrom took this photograph and shares it with us. Many thanks Al -- great shots!
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Photo courtesy of Al Lilianstrom of Streamwood
Photos courtesy of Rich Ricar, Western Springs
Video from north suburban Round Lake of the arrival of Thursday¹s storms.
Watch as the storm sweeps into Lake County's Round Lake courtesy of this video from Bob Fesus shot at one frame every four seconds. Great video Bob!
Many thanks!
Storm hitting Chicago
Photo by Dennis Erickson
Storm moving into Oswego, Illinois
Photo by Eric Karl
Storm in Alsip
Photo by Mike Z.
Chicago's Northwest side
Photo by Thomas Nava
Storm blasting Woodstock, Illinois
Photo by Brett Hansen
Storm at Grayslake
Photo by Dean Haverkampf
Crystal Lake Blasted
Photo by Ryan Kinross
Elgin getting hit
Photo by Tyler Christiansen
Storm at Algonquin, Illinois
Photo by Anson Mount
Storm in Malta, Illinois
Photo by Nick and Erin Flink
Storm hitting Elburn, Illinois
Photo by Steve Parsons
Gust front passing Waukegan, Illinois
Photo by Robbie Culver
A fast-moving line of thunderstorms accompanied by high winds and heavy rain known as a derecho is sweeping the Chicago area this evening. Our viewers have passed on dozens of dramatic storm pictures as the storms moved thorugh the area Thursday evening.
Steve Kahn WGN Weather Center
Approaching Hampshire, Illinois
Photo by Brittney Misialek former WGN Weather Intern
Storm over Cary, Illinois
Photo by Matt Hoelter
Storm approaching Huntely, Illinois
Photo by Max Sanches
Storm bearinbg down on McHenry, Illinois
Photo by Tom Esser
The thunderstorms pictured here in photos relayed to us by Carolyn Szepanski of
Whiting, Indiana doused scattered sections of Chicago’s west and southern suburbs
then swept into northwest Indiana Tuesday evening. Carolyn’s photos capture the
ominous appearance of these storms as they swept into the area. The storms’
downpours were so intense they produced large rainfalls in a short period of time.
Thanks Carolyn for these terrific shots!
Tom Skilling
Photos courtesy of Carolyn Szepanski, Whiting, Indiana
We're never disappointed by Mike Frankowski's always amazing photos--and the set
of late last evening's spectacular cloud to ground and intracloud lightning as
thunderstorms raced across the northwest suburbs are NO exceptions! Check these out
and enjoy and our sincere thanks to Mike for sharing another spectacular group of
photos! Though Mike hails from South Elgin, he photographed the storm depicted in
these photos near Belvidere, Illinois.
Photos courtesy of Mike Frankowski
Thanks to Dennis Erickson for sharing this shot from Chicago's fireworks extravaganza taken on a clear, cool evening with a crescent moon in the background.
Photo by Dennis Erickson
Steve Kahn WGN Weather Center Meteorologist
Bob Carnes of Simi Valley, California took this picture at the Santa Barbara Airport shortly before sunset on Thursday July 3. Smoke from the nearby Gap Fire is filtering the setting sun.
Photo by Bob Carnes
Steve Kahn WGN Weather Center Meteorologist
"The sky got dark and it looked like rain was coming in--but it was dirt," explains P.
Cummings, who shares this photo he took two weeks ago of dust blowing through the
air while he was in Dallas, Texas. Included in his photo set are aerial shots of towering
cumulonimbus taken while flying over Oklahoma. Our thanks for P. Cummings for
sharing these photos with us.
Photos courtesy of P. Cummings
--Tom Skilling, Chief Meteorologist, WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Midwesterners haven’t been the only ones dodging thunderstorms. Our friend Mark Vogan from Glasgow, Scotland tells us folks in his part of the UK have had their share of thunderstorms too in recent days. Here, Mark photographs the rainbows after the thundery weather. He writes:
“Captured these images this evening as a beautiful raindow shawn in the foreground of as today's 2nd pulse of thunderstorms darkened our evening sky. Steady and persistent rain follows the initial downpour as lightning lit the skies with embedded
rattles of thunder.”
Thanks for the great shots, Mark!
Photos courtesy of Mark Vogan, Glasgow, Scotland
Paul Havlik and his wife Karen cruised the waters of southern Alaska early last month
(June) and share these photos of the region with us. The sunset shot included here was
taken off the coastal islands near Ketchikan in the state’s Inside Passage. Paul and
Karen then proceeded north to Prince William Sound where they sailed College Fiord.
There, amid the mist and fog which can dominate the area given the abundance of
atmospheric moisture and the presence of mountains to lift and cool it, layered clouds
caught their eyes. These cloud formations can be driven or altered at times by the
cooling effect of glaciers. The chill which emanates from the huge masses of glacial ice
which can and does influence cloud formation there in many instances.
In commenting on his trip to Alaska, Paul tells us, “I have to admit that I was
enthralled with the landscape, views and wildlife.” That’s so well put!
It’s a truly amazing place and we thank Paul and Karen Havlik for being so good
about sharing their beautiful photos with us!
Tom Skilling
Photos courtesy of Paul and Karen Havlik, Mundelein, Illinois
Jeremy and Sarah share these storm damage photos taken in the Crystal Lake area
(northwest of Chicago in McHenry County) around 6 pm Wednesday evening. Some trees
and tree limbs snapped in the high winds. Many thanks for the revealing shots, Jeremy
and Sarah!
Tom Skilling
Photos courtesy of Jeremy and Sarah of Lake in the Hills
Photos courtesy of Tracey Surface, Chicago
Jay Kleeman sends us these photos of the northwest sububan storms at their height
this afternoon. Torrential downpours riding wind gusts as high as 50 to 60 mph
accompanied local 2.10” totals near Barrington in just 30 minutes Wednesday
afternoon while nearby Algonquin recorded 1.80”. Rainfall of 1.29” in 20 minutes was
reported 6 miles northeast of Buffalo Grove. Water 6” deep covered sections of Rt. 83
in Deerfield while as much as 5” was across a number of Highland Park roads for a
time. Fire department personnel in some northwest suburban communities arrived
with chain saws to tackle downed trees and tree limbs in some areas.
A swimming ban has been declared on Chicago’s beaches Wednesday evening
because of the feat of seiche conditions—rapid fluctuations in lake levels brought on
as winds surging out the front of fast moving, eastbound t-storms push domes of
water against the Michigan shoreline, producing reflected waves which return to the
Chicago and Illinois/Wisconsin shoreline of Lake Michigan leading to lake level
gyrations predicted this evening to generate lake level fluctuations of as much as 2
feet. Lightning in with the storms was prolific. As many as 1,300 cloud to ground
strokes were reported in a ten minute period as the powerful thunderstorms swept
through. More storms threaten sections of the Chicago metro area Wednesday
night---settlling slowly south with time. Complete weather coverage on WGN-TV
News and on our weather program tonigtht at 9 pm.
Photose courtesy of Jay Kleeman
Shortly after 5 p.m. a severe thunderstorm downed trees in Barrington. Anson Mount sent
in these pictures taken at 5:07 p.m. at Spring Creek near Rogers Bend Road.
Photos courtesy of Anson Mount
Sherry Forsee tells us the towering clouds pictured here, responsible for a storm
which swept into Roodhouse, Illinois—50 miles north of St. Louis---last Friday (June
27) were so tall, she couldn’t get the entire cloud in the picture! These are some
amazing shots---THANKS Sherry!
Tom Skilling
Photos courtesy of Sherry Forsee, Roodhouse, Illinois
My colleague and WGN-TV Director Mike Lasky shares these photos of lightning
discharges--even a rainbow--associated with towering cumulonimbus clouds last
week in Denver, Colorado. Spectacular shots-----THANKS Mike!!
Tom Skilling
Photos taken in Denver, Colorado last week courtesy of Mike Lasky
