Fri-Sat, March 25-26th High Wind Event Recap

(5:15PM Saturday - 3/26/22) A brief recap regarding the Fri-Sat, March 25-26th high wind and convective squalls event that impacted the region and state during this time.

Overview...
A storm system impacted the region Friday, March 25th through Saturday, March 26th. This storm system brought a high wind event to portions of the region and state during this time. The weak and fast storm system moved from Southern Canada Thursday night, then through the Great Lakes on Friday, and eventually into the Northeast on Saturday.

Summary...
​Friday Afternoon - Saturday Morning, March 25-26th ~ High Wind Event:
A weak and fast moving storm system tracked through the region Friday into Saturday, bringing a period of high winds to portions of the state Friday afternoon through Saturday morning. High winds aloft, characterized by a low level jet (850MB) of upwards to 30-50KT and 925MB winds of 25-45KT, translated across the region. The combination of adequate/deep mixing up to at least 700MB, strong cold air advection and high lapse rates aided in transporting higher winds to the surface. During this period, northwesterly synoptic wind gusts of 35-55MPH occurred across a large portion of Northern and Central Illinois, Friday afternoon through Saturday morning.

In addition to windy conditions, convective squalls moved across portions of Northern and Central Illinois, Friday afternoon into Friday night. Some of these squalls produced graupel (Small hail) and damaging high winds...In addition to rain, snow and ice pellets.

Wrap Up...
-A period of synoptic high winds occurred across Northern and Central Illinois, Friday afternoon through Saturday morning. Wind gusts of 35-55MPH occurred during this period.
-Convective squalls moved across portions of Northern and Central Illinois, Friday afternoon through Friday night. Some of this activity produced graupel (Small hail) and damaging high winds.

JP