Threat escalates as fast-moving severe storms could bring 75+ mph winds, power outages to Midwest metros
SEVERE WEATHER HQ ⛈️: Severe weather threats are escalating across the Midwest as dangerous storms take aim with lashing winds expected to exceed 75 mph and the potential for a derecho. FOX Weather Meteorologists Craig Herrera and Britta Merwin break down the multiday weather event that also bleeds into New England and the I-95 corridor:
Continuing the trend of an exceptionally active July across the Midwest and East, another multiday severe weather threat is once again targeting the region.
DANGEROUS, LIFE-THREATENING HEAT WAVE BAKES MORE THAN 85M AMERICANS ACROSS 20 STATES WITH TRIPLE-DIGIT TEMPS
While Sunday’s Level 3 out of 5 severe threat kept many in the Upper Midwest waiting, storms repeatedly delayed their arrival into the overnight hours.
Now, a very active Monday morning is shaping up as those storms are likely already underway across Wisconsin.
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Monday: Severe storms, potential derecho target Midwest
According to the FOX Forecast Center, severe storms on Monday morning are barreling through northern Wisconsin, targeting Green Bay just in time for the morning rush hour.
The storms are expected to form a quick-moving line pushing south through the state by late-morning, including places such as Milwaukee.
SUMMER HEAT FUELS WILDFIRES WHILE MONSOONS TRIGGER SEVERE FLOOD THREATS AS WEATHER WHIPLASH PLAGUES THE WEST
Forecast models indicate the storms push into Chicago by midday, and develop into a Mesoscale Convective System (MCS) — a large, organized cluster of storms that form an even bigger, single weather system.
This line will move south through Illinois and Indiana through the afternoon hours, even holding together and impacting portions of western Kentucky by the evening.
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According to the FOX Forecast Center, these storms could produce destructive winds exceeding 75 mph anywhere along the line.
While this could be the beginning of a derecho, it is still too early to verify, the FOX Forecast Center said.
WHAT IS A DERECHO?
A powerful derecho took down trees and knocked out power to thousands around northern Illinois including, Chicago, Joliet and Elgin.
Driven by a massive heat dome building to the west, the fast-moving line of storms will race across the region.
WHAT IS A HEAT DOME AND HOW CAN IT AFFECT YOU DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS?
Additionally, embedded tornadoes will also be an issue, but the destructive winds will be of major concern. Widespread power outages could multiply rapidly as the storms intensify.
While this line of storms will likely be the main event on Monday, farther east in the Ohio Valley and parts of New England, there could be additional storms.
Tuesday: Severe storms target Mid-Atlantic, Carolinas
Come Tuesday, another broad Level 2 out of 5 storm threat has been issued, but now more for the Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas.
Storms will be ongoing early from Pennsylvania and West Virginia into eastern Kentucky as a cold front moves through.
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This activity will continue shifting southeast into Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina through the day.
2 DEAD IN WEST VIRGINIA AFTER CATASTROPHIC FLOODING SLAMMED THE STATE, TRIGGERING STATE OF EMERGENCY
As temperatures rise and moisture increases, some storms could become stronger and more organized. A few supercells may develop, bringing a threat for large hail and damaging wind gusts.
The strongest wind gusts could become more widespread later in the day, while an isolated tornado or two will also be possible, especially from southeastern Virginia into North Carolina.
(FOX Weather)
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The storms are also bringing an increased flash flood threat for the I-95 corridor and New England.
Stay with FOX Weather for the latest on severe storms impacting the Midwest and East.