Long-track tornadoes, destructive winds target millions across the Midwest with a Level 4/5 threat issued
The FOX Forecast Center said intense tornadoes and damaging winds are the biggest risk Wednesday across the Midwest.
Tornadoes, destructive winds likely as Level 4 outbreak targets Midwest
Intense tornadoes, destructive winds, and very large hail target the Midwest Wednesday, with parts of Illinois and Indiana under an elevated Level 4 out of 5 risk. FOX Weather Meteorologist Stephen Morgan breaks down the growing threat of another severe wether outbreak and exactly how this dangerous system could play out:
Just on the heels of last week’s severe weather outbreak across the Midwest, the threat of additional severe storms is increasing. Concerns are rising for another potential outbreak on Wednesday, just days after tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail battered many of these same areas.
Last week, a severe system unleashed dozens of tornadoes ranging from EF0 to EF3 across the region.
FILE: Extensive damage reported in Merrillville, Indiana after tornado
The city of Merrillville, Indiana, saw extensive destruction from a tornado that tore through the area on Thursday night. The National Weather Service was out surveying the area this afternoon to rate the tornado.
Accompanied by destructive straight-line winds, the storms left communities with catastrophic damage, destroying homes, toppling trees, and downing power lines that knocked out electricity to thousands of residents.
WIDESPREAD DESTRUCTION: TORNADOES CAUSE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE IN ILLINOIS AND INDIANA COMMUNITIES
These hard-hit communities have faced a relentless onslaught since the severe season kicked off in March.
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In fact, Illinois has been one of the hardest-hit states this year, leading the nation in tornado reports.
Photos from the ground in Aroma Park, Illinois, on March 12 capture the devastating destruction in Kankakee County after a tornado ripped through March 10 (FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne )
As the potential for another severe weather outbreak takes shape Wednesday, the FOX Forecast Center said intense tornadoes and damaging winds are the biggest risk.
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Ahead of the next system, the Storm Prediction Center has issued a Level 4 out of 5 severe storm threat for Wednesday across north-central Illinois and western Indiana.
Along with that, a Level 3 out of 5 risk spans from Kansas City to St. Louis and northward into Chicago, while a broader Level 2 out of 5 risk blankets a wider zone from Kansas to Louisville, Indianapolis, and Columbus.
The FOX Forecast Center said there could be two distinct rounds of severe storms: One in the morning to afternoon hours bringing damaging winds and large hail, followed by a second round as atmospheric conditions rapidly destabilize by Wednesday afternoon.
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Wind gusts will likely top 80 mph, and very large hail up to 2.5 inches is possible.
Additionally, with a significant amount of wind shear in place, discrete supercells capable of producing intense, long-track tornadoes are expected to develop initially.
Through the evening hours, these storms will develop into an intense line of severe storms bringing a widespread threat of destructive, straight-line winds through the region.