HIGH WIND WARNING IN REGION THAT INCLUDES ARLINGTON HEIGHTS
AND THE CITIES OF…ROCKFORD…BELVIDERE…WOODSTOCK…
WAUKEGAN…OREGON…DIXON…DEKALB…AURORA…WHEATON…CHICAGO
AND THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES …
WINNEBAGO-BOONE-MCHENRY-LAKE IL-OGLE-LEE-DE KALB-KANE-DUPAGE-COOK
The National Weather Service issued at 11:00 a.m. CDT Monday a HIGH WIND WARNING effective 7:00 a.m. Tuesday through 7:00 p.m. Wednesday. A line of severe thunderstorms with the possibility of a tornado may develop ahead of the sustained high winds associated with a low pressure system passing to the north of our region. Sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph are forecast with gusts up to 60 mph.
The low end wind speed range of an EFO tornado is 65 mph. The low end wind speed range of a Category One Hurricane is 74 mph.
The sustained winds from the southwest are expected to begin about 7:00 a.m. Tuesday morning with the highest winds occurring Tuesday afternoon. The winds are expected to diminish as the center of the low pressure system is closest to our region. Then as the low pressure passes to the east, winds will spin back down from the northeast most of the day Wednesday. The winds Wednesday are also forecast to be sustained at 30 to 40 mph with gusts in the 50 to 60 mph range.
If the forecast holds true, some roof peeling of shingles could occur, large branches could fall with power failures, small trees could be pushed over at the roots, and large weakened trees could be blown totally over at the base roots. Signage could also be damaged. Outdoor furniture is also susceptible to high winds. Garbage bags for pickup are likely to blow around Tuesday on the south side of town — south of Oakton. High profile vehicles, such as trailers, SUVs, buses and vans may be difficult to drive.
Keep in mind the forecast puts the region in a windy period for 36 hours starting Tuesday morning.
In June 2009 a wind gust of 63 mph damaged a Southwest Airlines cargo hangar, and a fence at Midway Airport. Many trees were downed in Cicero, Burbank and the south side of Chicago.