Overview
- Powerful storms tore across the Midwest on Wednesday, toppling trees, ripping roofs and producing measured gusts as high as 94 mph at Oshkosh while causing widespread structural damage.
- Hundreds of thousands lost electricity across multiple states and more than 1,000 Chicago flights were delayed or canceled, with air service showing improvement by Thursday morning as utilities began large restoration efforts.
- The Storm Prediction Center has kept multiple watches and mesoscale discussions active Thursday and warns of repeated rounds of storms that could deliver 55–80 mph gusts, very large hail and brief but potentially strong tornadoes.
- Forecasters say the threat is tied to a strong frontal boundary, a 40–55 kt low‑level jet and mesoscale features such as an MCV and outflow boundaries that favor repeated convective development and rapid storm evolution.
- Residents should prepare for another high‑impact afternoon and evening by securing loose items, confirming shelter plans, monitoring local warnings and expecting continued service disruptions and road hazards during recovery.