Hurricane Sandy....

We were almost out of the hurricane season with only one storm that hit the United States earlier this year.......and then, Sandy came knocking on the door.  Over the past week, Sandy has been given several other names from "Superstorm" to "The Perfect Storm."  With just over 100 lives claimed and up to $30 BILLION in damage, this one goes down in the record books. 


Facts on Hurricane Sandy:

• Storm was 900 miles wide which was roughly twice the size of Texas
• The lowest barometric reading ever recorded for an Atlantic storm north of Cape Hatteras NC
• The storm surge in New York City was 13.88 breaking the old record from 1960 at 10.02 feet
• At least 8 million people without power.  The biggest loss of electricity at one time

         Photo Courtesy of Andrew Burton.  Damage in New York City.

       Jessica Hill/Associated Press. Damage from Brant Beach, NJ


Eric Szos
Chief Meteorologist

Late Season Severe Weather....

A strong cut off low pressure system developed across the Central Plains on Saturday 10/13 and moved into the Upper Midwest on Sunday 10/14.  Due to sufficent wind shear, moisture, and a lifting mechanism, this was a good enough setup for severe thunderstorms.  The images below show convection beginning around 2pm and blasting through the Chicagoland area over the next couple of hours.  Brief heavy downpours and gusty winds were the main issues with this event.  The highest wind gust of 65 mph was reported in Peotone, IL. 

A TORNADO Warning was issued across northern Cook County and a possible brief touchdown occurred in Schaumburg.  Several trees were uprooted and a few roofs were damaged.  The National Weather Service is conducting a survey today and an answer will likely be given later today. 

Another strong system is forecasted on Wednesday with a few more strong storms possible.  This is very typcial during the spring and fall seasons.  When seasons make their transition from summer to winter or vice versa, low pressure systems become stronger to due the enhanced jet sreams across the U.S.   

2:00pm Radar

3:35pm Radar

Eric Szos
Chief Meteorologist