Powerful Thunderstorms Bring Damaging Winds to the Region
A stationary cold front combined with
several upper level disturbances provided the focus for
powerful thunderstorms Thursday and Friday August
23-24. Thunderstorms raced through sections of northern
Indiana, southern Michigan, and northwest Ohio both days
producing widespread wind damage in many areas. The
first round of thunderstorms developed in western
portions of Illinois on the 23rd and raced toward the
region at speeds approaching 60 mph. The thunderstorms
were responsible for widespread wind damage across
Illinois and northwest Indiana including the Chicagoland
area. By 4:00 pm CDT, the thunderstorms rolled into
LaPorte county and subsequently produced widespread
damage across LaPorte and Berrien counties. A wind gust
of 81 mph was recorded at the Michigan City Lighthouse
as the thunderstorm complex took on a bowing/spearhead
shape…a typical feature of thunderstorms that produce
damaging wind. Numerous trees and power lines were
reported toppled along with some structural damage to
buildings. There were also a few reports of trees
falling onto cars. Luckily no injuries were sustained.
The thunderstorms also impacted the annual Michigan City
Boat Show…coincidentally one year to the day in which
thunderstorm winds of over 100 mph produced heavy damage
to the area. The thunderstorms continued to produce wind
damage as they pushed across southern Michigan and
extreme northern Indiana through the evening.
