Severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings issued for US Midwest

The US National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for multiple areas, including Madison and several counties in Wisconsin. The advisory remains in effect until 4 a.m. Saturday due to the risk of strong storms.

Dangers of lightning strikes

Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, mostly during summer. According to the National Weather Service, around 20 people lose their lives annually due to lightning. The risk is highest when a thunderstorm is directly overhead and decreases as the storm moves away.

Intense storms bring tornado and thunderstorm warnings

Following an unusually warm and sunny day, the Chicago region experienced a sudden shift in weather as severe storms triggered multiple warnings.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued in LaPorte County, where winds reached speeds of 60 miles per hour (approximately 96 km/h), posing risks to homes and trees. The storms moved northeast at the same speed, affecting several areas.

Tornado warnings were also issued late Friday night for Chicago’s western suburbs and later for northwest Indiana due to radar-detected rotations in storm clouds. While no confirmed tornado touchdowns have been reported, there were possible sightings of funnel clouds in Illinois’ DeKalb County.

In Indiana’s Lake County, storms suddenly intensified before moving over Lake Michigan. Despite the severity, no confirmed tornado landings have been reported so far.

Widespread power outages and strong winds continue

Even in areas without tornado warnings, strong winds exceeding 60 miles per hour caused significant damage. These winds resulted in power outages for tens of thousands of residents, with Winnebago and Kane counties particularly affected.

Although the storms are expected to pass, strong winds will persist. A high wind warning is in effect until noon Saturday, with sustained winds of 40 to 55 km/h and isolated gusts reaching up to 88 km/h. A wind advisory remains for the Chicago area until 5 p.m., warning of gusts up to 80 km/h.

Residents have been advised to remain cautious as these strong winds may cause tree branches and power lines to fall, leading to further disruptions.