Damaging Winds in Indiana, March 25, 2022

Name: Damaging Winds in Indiana, March 25, 2022
Start: 2022-03-25T16:20
End: 2022-03-25T16:42
Location: Indiana

March 25, 2022 · NWS LOT · 5 events in 2 counties and zones

Convective showers moved across parts of far northwest Indiana during the late afternoon of March 25th, producing localized wind damage.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 5

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS LOT wrote it up.

Convective showers moved across parts of far northwest Indiana during the late afternoon of March 25th, producing localized wind damage.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Chicago, IL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 25, 2:11 PM CST, 2 hours 9 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 25, 2:11 PM CST, 2 hours 9 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion...CORRECTED
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville, IL
311 PM CDT Fri Mar 25 2022

.SHORT TERM...
Issued at 309 PM CDT Fri Mar 25 2022

Through Saturday night...

The wind advisory continues for the area through 3 am Saturday
morning. No additional changes to headlines are planned this
afternoon.

The primary weather concerns late this afternoon
through this evening are:
-Showers and potential thunderstorms with rain graupel and snow
-Potential for wind gusts of 55+ mph in these rain and snow
 squalls
-Potential for localized hazardous travel due to low visibility
 and winds with the heaviest snow showers this evening

A stout mid/upper level PV anomaly continues to dig southeastward
across southeastern MN and into adjacent areas of northeastern IA
and southwestern WI early this afternoon with the aid of a
northwesterly 100+ kt upper level jet. Strong mid-level height
falls and cooling associated with this feature (500 mb
temperatures dropping to around -30C) is resulting in sharply
steepening lower level lapse rates with the aid of some insolation
just northwest of the area. Convection continues to deepen in
this area, and it will be shifting into the Rockford region prior
to the 4 pm hour. Thereafter, the expectation continues to be that
this scattered convective activity will continue to develop
across much of northern IL and northwestern IN late this afternoon
and will continue this evening.

High wetbulb zero heights will initially lead to rain and graupel
(small soft hail) being the primary weather type. However, as
wetbulb zero heights fall after 6 pm this evening, we should see
snow and graupel become the primary weather type over much of far
northern IL. Given the convective elements expected, the snow is
likely to (at least briefly) fall at a very heavy rate under some
of the strongest updrafts. Visibilities in these heavier burst of
snow could easily be reduced to a quarter mile or less, and
localized convectively enhance wind gusts could approach 55 to 60
mph given the strengthening ambient wind field. Lightning and
thunder will also be possible with this activity into this
evening.

The potential for very brief heavy snow rates raises concern for
at least brief localized travel impacts across the area this
evening. The main wild card is the warm payment temperatures,
which are likely to limit actual accumulations on area roads.
However, the snow may fall at a heavy enough rate this evening to
accumulate on grassy and elevated surfaces, so some slushy slick
accumulations could materialize on bridges and overpasses, but
confidence on the extent of travel impacts due to accumulations
remains low. While this is the case, some travel impacts are
likely due to the combination of at least brief periods of reduced
visibility (to a 1/4 or less) and the strong gusty winds likely
to accompany these snow showers and squalls. The plan is to
continue to highlight the strong winds and heavy snow showers,
both in and outside the convective activity with the wind
advisory. If conditions from any stronger convective cells look to
support 60+ mph winds a short fused warning could be needed.

The snow shower activity may continue into the overnight hours,
but will be waning in magnitude. However, expect wind gusts of 35
to 45 mph to continue through the evening, before abating some
overnight. Some lighter snow showers or flurries could continue
for some during the day Saturday, but the main story for Saturday
will be the well below normal temperatures, with highs only in the
middle 30s.

KJB

&&

.LONG TERM...
Issued at 229 PM CDT Fri Mar 25 2022

Saturday night through Friday...

Conditions will remain unseasonably cold through Sunday. After
lows in the low to mid 20s Saturday night, -13 to -16C 850 hPa
temps on the southwest flank of the low-level cold air core will
brush the area on Sunday. Temps will struggle to rise out of the
mid 30s even under mostly sunny skies.

The substantial spread in guidance next week has narrowed some
over the past 24 hours, offering a little more clarity on the
forecast. The establishment of a pronounced NW to SW low-level
baroclinic zone across the mid-MS Valley under strong NW flow
aloft Monday into Tuesday will provide a focus for initial precip
chances in the area by late Tuesday. While there is an initial
overall lack of deep- layer moisture, the juxtaposition of an
upper-jet entrance over the low-level baroclinic zone should
induce enough F-gen to generate a persistent and somewhat stagnant
axis of light rain across the area Tuesday. The baroclinic zone
will lift north into WI as a warm front Wednesday in response to a
broad surface low developing over the central Great Plains.
Overall guidance favors a loose phasing of a southwest CONUS
trough and Canadian Prairie trough over the central and northern
Great Plains on Wednesday, forcing an expansive swath of rain and
possibly some storms over the area Wednesday. The now occluded low
will begin to slow over the northern Great Lakes Thursday into
Friday, supporting blustery and seasonably cold conditions with
spotty showers.

Kluber

&&

.AVIATION...
For the 18Z TAFs...

The concerns include:

* Short period of 800-1400 ft CIGs and 2-4SM VSBY through 19z
* Non-convective gusts of 30-39 kt from WNW mid afternoon-evening
* Most intense SHRA/SHSN and squalls capable of producing 40-45+ kt
  gusts, graupel, and isolated lightning
* Most intense SHSN/squalls could produce LIFR VSBY and patchy
  slushy coating on runways

Higher impact aviation period, with issue out the gate being a
short window of low CIGs and VSBY as a narrow band of drizzle
pushes across the Chicago metro. The forecast remains on track for
convective showers and squalls developing later this afternoon and
persisting through this evening. Snow showers and flurries appear
likely to continue until a few hours after sunrise Saturday.
Strong and gusty west-northwest winds will be most pronounced in
the vicinity of heavier showers and squalls.

The overall worst conditions with snow and GS and gusts possibly
up to or in excess of 45 kt will be the evening. Not enough
confidence yet for explicit mention of LIFR VSBY in the TAFs, but
it is certainly possible. In addition, some of the showers/squalls
could be intense enough to produce TS, but also no mention yet in
the TAFs due to low confidence. Mild pavement temps, initially
well above freezing temperatures, and short duration of any heavy
snow rates should mean most runways remain primarily wet. If very
heavy snow rates occur for a time, patchy slush may develop. Snow
showers and flurries with high MVFR CIGs and possibly MVFR VSBY at
times will persist into Saturday morning, followed by improving
conditions. Gusty northwest winds will persist through Saturday
afternoon.

Castro

&&

.LOT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IL...Wind Advisory...ILZ003-ILZ004-ILZ005-ILZ006-ILZ008-ILZ010-ILZ011-
     ILZ012-ILZ013-ILZ019-ILZ020-ILZ021-ILZ023-ILZ032-ILZ033-
     ILZ039-ILZ103-ILZ104-ILZ105-ILZ106-ILZ107-ILZ108 until 3 AM
     Saturday.

IN...Wind Advisory...INZ001-INZ002-INZ010-INZ011-INZ019 until 3 AM
     Saturday.

LM...Gale Warning...nearshore waters until 1 AM Saturday.

     Small Craft Advisory...LMZ740-LMZ741-LMZ742...1 AM Saturday to 7
     PM Saturday.

     Small Craft Advisory...LMZ743-LMZ744-LMZ745...1 AM Saturday to 4
     PM Sunday.

&&

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Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 25, 2:54 PM CST, 1 hour 26 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook...CORRECTED
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville IL
354 PM CDT Fri Mar 25 2022

ILZ003>006-008-010>013-019>021-023-032-033-039-103>108-INZ001-002-
010-011-019-262100-
Winnebago-Boone-McHenry-Lake IL-Ogle-Lee-De Kalb-Kane-DuPage-
La Salle-Kendall-Grundy-Kankakee-Livingston-Iroquois-Ford-
Northern Cook-Central Cook-Southern Cook-Northern Will-
Southern Will-Eastern Will-Lake IN-Porter-Newton-Jasper-Benton-
354 PM CDT Fri Mar 25 2022 /454 PM EDT Fri Mar 25 2022/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of North Central
Illinois...Northeast Illinois and Northwest Indiana.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Weather hazards expected...

  Limited Thunderstorm Risk.
  Elevated Non Thunderstorm Wind Risk.
  Limited Snow Risk.

DISCUSSION...

Scattered rain showers, mixed with small hail, will transition to
snow showers by early evening. Some of these showers will produce
lightning, gusty winds of 55 to 60 mph and brief heavy snow rates
into this evening. Gusty winds to 45 mph are also expected
through the evening outside of the showers, and may be enough to
down small limbs. Sharply reduced visibility will also be likely
with any of the more vigorous snow showers and squalls this
evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Saturday...
  Limited Non Thunderstorm Wind Risk.

Tuesday and Wednesday...
  Limited Thunderstorm Risk.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

  Spotter activation will not be necessary through tonight.

LMZ740>745-262100-
Winthrop Harbor to Wilmette Harbor IL-
Wilmette Harbor to Northerly Island IL-
Northerly Island to Calumet Harbor IL-
Calumet Harbor IL to Gary IN-Gary to Burns Harbor IN-
Burns Harbor to Michigan City IN-
354 PM CDT Fri Mar 25 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the Illinois
nearshore waters of Lake Michigan and the Indiana nearshore
waters of Lake Michigan.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Weather hazards expected...

  Gale force winds and or very hazardous waves.
  Limited Thunderstorm Risk.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Saturday and Sunday...
  Hazardous conditions for small craft are likely.
Tuesday and Wednesday...
  Hazardous conditions for small craft are likely.
  Limited Thunderstorm Risk.
Thursday...
  Hazardous conditions for small craft are likely.

KJB

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In the hours before

Local storm report, Mar 25, 3:57 PM CST, 23 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO IL
457 PM CDT FRI MAR 25 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0445 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 S DOWNERS GROVE       41.77N 88.01W
03/25/2022                   DUPAGE             IL   NWS EMPLOYEE

            SEVERAL TWO INCH DIAMETER TREE LIMBS DOWN.
            HAIL ALSO BRIEFLY COVERED THE GROUND BEFORE
            MELTING.

&&

Local storm report, Mar 25, 4:05 PM CST, 15 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO IL
505 PM CDT FRI MAR 25 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0418 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 W SUGAR GROVE         41.77N 88.48W
03/25/2022  M72 MPH          KANE               IL   ASOS

            ASOS STATION KARR SUGAR GROVE - AURORA ARPT.

0430 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 SW NORTH AURORA       41.79N 88.36W
03/25/2022  M56 MPH          KANE               IL   MESONET

            MESONET STATION FW0906 2 SW NORTH AURORA.

0435 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 NW PERU               41.35N 89.15W
03/25/2022  M51 MPH          LA SALLE           IL   AWOS

            AWOS STATION KVYS PERU AIRPORT.

0430 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST GRAND RIDGE             41.24N 88.83W
03/25/2022  M50 MPH          LA SALLE           IL   MESONET

            MESONET STATION DW9746 GRAND RIDGE.

0446 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST ROSEMONT                41.99N 87.87W
03/25/2022  M50 MPH          COOK               IL   MESONET

            MESONET STATION EW1098 ROSEMONT.

0427 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST DUPAGE AIRPORT          41.92N 88.25W
03/25/2022  M48 MPH          DUPAGE             IL   ASOS

            ASOS STATION KDPA WEST CHICAGO - DUPAGE
            ARPT.

0446 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 N UTICA               41.37N 89.01W
03/25/2022  M48 MPH          LA SALLE           IL   MESONET

            MESONET STATION FW2874 UTICA.

0445 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 SSW LOMBARD           41.86N 88.02W
03/25/2022  M46 MPH          DUPAGE             IL   MESONET

            MESONET STATION GMBRD 1 SSW LOMBARD.

0438 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 4 ESE VALPARAISO        41.45N 87.00W
03/25/2022  M45 MPH          PORTER             IN   ASOS

            ASOS STATION KVPZ VALPARAISO AIRPORT.

0441 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST OHARE AIRPORT           41.98N 87.90W
03/25/2022  M45 MPH          COOK               IL   ASOS

            ASOS STATION KORD CHICAGO O''HARE.

&&

Local storm report, Mar 25, 4:06 PM CST, 14 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO IL
506 PM CDT FRI MAR 25 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0418 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 W SUGAR GROVE         41.77N 88.48W
03/25/2022  M72 MPH          KANE               IL   ASOS

            ASOS STATION KARR SUGAR GROVE - AURORA ARPT.

0349 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 WSW CLARE             42.00N 88.88W
03/25/2022  M60 MPH          DE KALB            IL   PUBLIC

0319 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST ROCKFORD AIRPORT        42.20N 89.10W
03/25/2022  M58 MPH          WINNEBAGO          IL   ASOS

            CORRECTS PREVIOUS NON-TSTM WND GST REPORT
            FROM ROCKFORD AIRPORT.

0430 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 SW NORTH AURORA       41.79N 88.36W
03/25/2022  M56 MPH          KANE               IL   MESONET

            MESONET STATION FW0906 2 SW NORTH AURORA.

0435 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 NW PERU               41.35N 89.15W
03/25/2022  M51 MPH          LA SALLE           IL   AWOS

            AWOS STATION KVYS PERU AIRPORT.

0430 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST GRAND RIDGE             41.24N 88.83W
03/25/2022  M50 MPH          LA SALLE           IL   MESONET

            MESONET STATION DW9746 GRAND RIDGE.

0446 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST ROSEMONT                41.99N 87.87W
03/25/2022  M50 MPH          COOK               IL   MESONET

            MESONET STATION EW1098 ROSEMONT.

0347 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 NE DEERFIELD          42.18N 87.84W
03/25/2022  M48 MPH          LAKE               IL   MESONET

            MESONET STATION FW8573 DEERFIELD.

0355 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 SSW ROCHELLE          41.89N 89.08W
03/25/2022  M48 MPH          OGLE               IL   AWOS

            AWOS STATION KRPJ ROCHELLE AIRPORT.

0427 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST DUPAGE AIRPORT          41.92N 88.25W
03/25/2022  M48 MPH          DUPAGE             IL   ASOS

            ASOS STATION KDPA WEST CHICAGO - DUPAGE
            ARPT.

0446 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 N UTICA               41.37N 89.01W
03/25/2022  M48 MPH          LA SALLE           IL   MESONET

            MESONET STATION FW2874 UTICA.

0315 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 W MOUNT MORRIS        42.05N 89.49W
03/25/2022  M47 MPH          OGLE               IL   MESONET

            MESONET STATION FW3055 MOUNT MORRIS.

0320 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 W SUGAR GROVE         41.77N 88.48W
03/25/2022  M47 MPH          KANE               IL   ASOS

            ASOS STATION KARR SUGAR GROVE - AURORA ARPT.

0404 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 WSW CRYSTAL LAWNS     41.56N 88.20W
03/25/2022  M47 MPH          WILL               IL   MESONET

            MESONET STATION DW9022 PLAINFIELD.

0233 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST ROCKFORD AIRPORT        42.20N 89.10W
03/25/2022  M46 MPH          WINNEBAGO          IL   ASOS

            ASOS STATION KRFD ROCKFORD AIRPORT.

0445 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 SSW LOMBARD           41.86N 88.02W
03/25/2022  M46 MPH          DUPAGE             IL   MESONET

            MESONET STATION GMBRD 1 SSW LOMBARD.

0329 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST DUPAGE AIRPORT          41.92N 88.25W
03/25/2022  M45 MPH          DUPAGE             IL   ASOS

            ASOS STATION KDPA WEST CHICAGO - DUPAGE
            ARPT.

0350 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 5 NW MARENGO            42.31N 88.66W
03/25/2022  M45 MPH          MCHENRY            IL   MESONET

            MESONET STATION IMC02 MARENGO 5 NW (MCHENRY
            DOT).

0438 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 4 ESE VALPARAISO        41.45N 87.00W
03/25/2022  M45 MPH          PORTER             IN   ASOS

            ASOS STATION KVPZ VALPARAISO AIRPORT.

0441 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST OHARE AIRPORT           41.98N 87.90W
03/25/2022  M45 MPH          COOK               IL   ASOS

            ASOS STATION KORD CHICAGO O''HARE.

&&

Local storm report, Mar 25, 4:17 PM CST, 3 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO IL
517 PM CDT FRI MAR 25 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0420 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 NE YORKVILLE          41.66N 88.43W
03/25/2022                   KENDALL            IL   PUBLIC

            REPORT OF POWER LINES DOWN ACROSS US 34 AT
            TUMA ROAD, BLOCKING PORTIONS OF THE ROAD.

&&

Local storm report, Mar 25, 4:18 PM CST, 2 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO IL
518 PM CDT FRI MAR 25 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0440 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 W NWS CHICAGO-ROMEOVI 41.60N 88.09W
03/25/2022                   WILL               IL   NWS EMPLOYEE

            WITNESSED BUILDING MATERIALS FLYING THROUGH
            AIR AT LEWIS UNIVERSITY AIRPORT.

&&

SB

Local storm report, Mar 25, 4:20 PM CST, 0 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO IL
520 PM CDT FRI MAR 25 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0459 PM     TSTM WND GST     3.0 SW MIDWAY AIRPORT   41.74N 87.78W
03/25/2022  M52 MPH          COOK               IL   CO-OP OBSERVER

&&

SB

The radar

The Chicago radar (KLOT), 49 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:22 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

5 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lake

When: March 25, 4:20 PM CST
Where: Lake County, Dyer
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.490, -87.520

A wind gust to 60 mph was measured and a fence was damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lake

When: March 25, 4:25 PM CST
Where: Lake County, (Gyy) Gary Airport
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 41.620, -87.420

Thunderstorm Wind, Lake

When: March 25, 4:25 PM CST
Where: Lake County, 0.89 mi NNW of East Chicago
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 41.652, -87.466

A wind gust to 62 mph was measured at the Cline Avenue Bridge.

Thunderstorm Wind, Porter

When: March 25, 4:40 PM CST
Where: Porter County, Ogden Dunes
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.620, -87.190

Power lines were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Porter

When: March 25, 4:42 PM CST
Where: Porter County, Portage
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.580, -87.180

A half inch galvanized steel pipe supporting a bird house was blown over.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Indiana in 2022 Every state in 2022 This day in weather history Warnings in Indiana, March 2022

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1013988, 1013986, 1013987, 1013990, 1013989.