November Severe Weather Potential

The National Weather Service (NWS) office for Chicago in their hazardous weather outlook (HWO) is forecasting severe weather in the Northern Illinois and Northwestern Indiana from tonight (Saturday) through tomorrow (Sunday) evening.  The NWS Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman, OK, has also issued a moderate risk for our area extending from the I-39 Corridor eastward to the eastern border of Ohio in their 2-Day outlook.  

The threats of this system that the NWS is concerned about include damaging and high winds, heavy rain, hail, lightning, and a possibility of tornadoes.  The timing of the severe weather threat is based on where you are located.  The early morning will affect the western portions of the area that include Ogle, Lee, DeKalb, and surrounding counties.  The storm system will be moving from west to east.  Starting around 9AM, the areas around Cook County will start seeing the weather move in.  Between 12PM through 3PM, expect the severe weather to be affecting the Chicago area.  The movement of the system will see the storms to be out of the area around 6PM.

From a historical perspective, records from the 1950s through present, there have been twelve tornadoes in the area in November.  Seven of these tornadoes were considered significant meaning they were EF2 (111-135 MPH) or stronger.

Updates over the next 12 to 16 hours will provide further detail of the movement of the storm system and severity.  Please monitor the Chicago NWS website, Facebook, and Twitter webpages for additional updates.  

This is just a notice of the possibility for severe weather, do not panic, but be extra aware of the weather and be prepared for rapidly changing and degrading weather conditions.  The Chicago Bears game is during this time frame.  Whatever venues you are at, be aware of the emergency shelter locations in the event that severe weather does warrant action.  

There is a multimedia briefing on their webpage along with additional updates and graphics.

The National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville office websites and social media pages:

WWW: http://www.weather.gov/chicago

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/US.NationalWeatherService.Chicago.gov

Twitter: @NWSChicago