Saturday, June 5, 2010

Intense Rotation Continues In Northeast Illinois


The above storm relative velocity (wind motion) image was taken within the last 5 minutes by the Chicago area (KLOT) doppler radar.  It shows very strong wind motion toward and away from the radar (where the red/orange and blue/green colors meet in a couplet near the center of the image) just East of Aroma Park, Illinois.


At the center of the couplet, the radar estimates the wind is blowing toward and away from the radar (i.e., in a circular pattern like a tornado)  at 118 knots, which is about 135 mph.  The radar is located about 34 miles North/Northwest of the center of the couplet, which means the 135 mph winds are being measured at about 2700 feet above ground level.  This location is about 1.5 miles East of Aroma Park.  A tornado is likely on the ground in this area.  This is a very dangerous tornado situation moving through a populated area.


As I was typing this, a storm report came in with spotters indicating a "mile wide" tornado on the ground near the radar indicated rotation couplet.  As I stated above, this is a very dangerous situation.  This storm will be entering Northwest parts of Indiana over the next 30-60 minutes.

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