A weather warning from C. Kent McKenzie, Emergency Management Coordinator for Lake County

Lake County Emergency Tuesday, June 11, 2013 – 4:40 p.m.

Lake County IL – Severe Weather Threat

Lake County Emergency Management staff on Tuesday afternoon participated in a conference call with the National Weather Service (NWS), in which the threat for severe weather for our area was discussed. Current forecasts suggest that there is a chance of thunderstorms tonight, with an increasing threat for organized severe weather Wednesday morning and again Wednesday evening and night.

Storms are expected to develop in southern Minnesota overnight Tuesday, and move eastward into northern Illinois around daybreak. The most significant threat with this round of storms would likely be strong winds with gusts from 55-65 mph, large hail, frequent lightning, and heavy rain. Some public forecasts on Tuesday included the mention of the possibility of a derecho forming with this line of storms, in which strong straight-line winds are sustained across a great distance. There is no way to accurately predict whether a derecho will form or, if so, where the strongest winds would be likely to occur.

The first round of storms is expected to move east of the Lake County area by mid-day on Wednesday, allowing the atmosphere to “re-charge” for another round of potentially more significant severe weather later Wednesday afternoon and evening. The second round of storms could produce winds in excess of 65 mph, large hail, frequent lightning, and torrential rain. There is also a small risk of tornados with discrete storms that form Wednesday afternoon, though the greater risk appears to be for very strong and damaging winds and for local flash flooding due to the intense rain.

People should continue to monitor the evolving weather situation through their usual sources of weather information, and should be prepared for likely severe weather on Wednesday. If motorists encounter a flooded roadway, the safest approach is to “turn around, don’t drown,” because fast-moving water can undermine road surfaces and sweep vehicles off the roadway.