Sat-Sun, March 5-6th Severe T'Storm & High Wind Event Recap

(6:45PM Monday - 3/7/22) A brief recap regarding the Sat-Sun, March 5-6th severe t'storm and high wind event that impacted the region and state during this time.

Overview...
A storm system impacted the region Saturday, March 5th through Sunday, March 5th, which brought a severe t'storm and high wind event to the region and state during this time. Model guidance showed the potential for a high wind event several days out, with the severe t'storm risk not really ramping up potential wise until the last minute. ​A strengthening storm system moved from the Plains Saturday morning, through the Midwest Saturday night, and then through the Great Lakes by Sunday morning. This storm system will bring a severe t'storm risk and a period of high winds to portions of the state and region, this afternoon through Sunday morning.

Summary...
Saturday Evening - Early Sunday Morning, March 5-6th ~ Severe T'Storm Episode:
The severe t'storm activity that occurred across a large portion of the state Saturday night well exceeded forecast expectations. A few isolated showers and t'storms occurred across Northern and Central Illinois, Saturday morning into early Saturday afternoon...However, none of this activity posed a severe t'storm risk. An additional like of scattered showers and t'storms developed across Iowa and Missouri Saturday afternoon, which then moved across Northern Illinois late Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening. An isolated t'storm was severe with this activity. The main action came later, as the main line of severe t'storms that had developed and had been moving across Iowa and Missouri Saturday afternoon and evening, then pushed across much of Illinois Saturday night. Scattered to widespread severe t'storms occurred with this activity as it spread across the state, with damaging winds having been the mains severe weather occurrence.

​Below is a map representation of the severe weather reports and a listing of observed/measured severe t'storm damaging wind gusts across the state and adjacent areas. 

Saturday Afternoon - Sunday Morning, March 5-6th ~ High Wind Episode:
A strengthening storm system moving the region brought a period of high winds to the state and region, Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning. High winds aloft, characterized by a low level jet (850MB) of upwards to 50-70KT and 925MB winds of 40-55KT, translated across the area. Adequate mixing occurred at least up to 850MB, along with strong warm air advection ahead of the storm system and cold air advection behind the storm system, which aided in transporting higher winds to the surface. During this event there were two distinct period of higher winds. The first period featured southerly winds Saturday afternoon through early Saturday night, with wind gusts of 35-55MPH having occurred across Northern and Central Illinois. The second period featured westerly winds Saturday night through Sunday morning, with wind gusts of 35-65MPH having occurred across Northern and Central Illinois.

​Below is a listing of observed/measured high wind gusts from both periods of high winds across the state and adjacent areas. ​

​Wrap Up...
-Scattered to widespread severe t'storms occurred across the state Saturday night, with damaging winds having been the main severe weather occurrence.
-A period of high winds occurred across Northern and Central Illinois, Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning. Wind gusts of 35-60MPH occurred during this period.

JP