Fri-Sat, Feb 18-19th High Wind Episode Recap

(12:30PM - 2/20/22) A brief recap of the Fri-Sat, Feb 18-19th high wind episode that affected the state and region.

Recap Summary...
​A storm system quickly moved through the region, Friday through Saturday Feb 18-19th. This storm system tracked from the Southern Canada Prairies Thursday night, through the Northern Midwest and Northern Great Lakes on Friday, and then into the Northeast Saturday morning. This storm system brought a high wind episode to portions of the state and region.

​Event Recap...
​Early Friday Afternoon - Early Saturday Morning, Feb 18-19th...
As ​a storm system tracked from the Southern Canada Prairies Thursday night, through the Northern Midwest and Northern Great Lakes on Friday, and then into the Northeast Saturday morning...It was accompanied by a strong jet streak aloft as well. High winds aloft characterized by a low level jet (850mb) of 45-65KT and 925mb winds of 35-55KT, translated through the region with the storm system. Adequate mixing occurred, at least up to 925mb, which transported higher winds to the surface. Additionally, as the cold front associated with the storm system moved through it was accompanied by a significant snow squall, which produced isolated higher wind gusts. During this period, wind gusts of 35-55MPH occurred across Northern and portions of Central Illinois.

Below is a list of measured/observed peak wind gusts across the state during this event.

JP