Severe Thunderstorms Bring 70 mph Winds to Illinois and Golf-Ball Hail to Indiana
Severe thunderstorms are producing damaging winds and large hail across parts of Illinois and Indiana while a cold snap has brought heavy snow to multiple provinces in South Africa and a deepening drought is affecting the Po River in northern Italy.
Severe Thunderstorms Sweep Illinois and Indiana
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Grundy County, Illinois, with storms moving east at 60 mph and producing 70 mph wind gusts capable of considerable tree damage and harm to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings. [1] Locations impacted include Aurora, Joliet, Plainfield, Oswego, Morris, Channahon, Minooka, Coal City, Dwight, Montgomery, Diamond, Gardner, Odell, Mazon, and Br. [1] At 1044 AM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Mokena to near Manhattan to Lakewood Shores to 8 miles southeast of Dwight. [1] Radar indicated the hazard of 70 mph wind gusts. [1] Expect considerable tree damage with damage likely to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings. [1]
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning covers Pulaski County in northwestern Indiana until 1230 PM EDT, with golf-ball-size hail and 60 mph winds that can injure people and animals and damage roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. [2] At 1143 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Medaryville, or 11 miles west of Winamac, moving east at 40 mph. [2] The National Weather Service in Northern Indiana issued the warning for Pulaski County. [2] Radar indicated the hazard of golf ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts. [2] People and animals outdoors will be injured with hail damage expected to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. [2]
Low Water Levels on Italy's Po River Trigger Drought Emergency
The Po River in northern Italy is running at exceptionally low levels approaching or exceeding 2022 drought records, forcing tanker water deliveries to over 100 municipalities, reducing irrigation for farms in the Food Valley, and promoting algae growth. [3] At the confluence with the Ticino, boats now sit in shallow, muddy water surrounded by sand, algae and exposed gravel banks. [3] The Po River Basin Authority says flows are well below seasonal averages, with levels at several monitoring stations approaching or exceeding records set during the severe drought of 2022. [3] The Po is vital to northern Italy’s agricultural heartland, including the Food Valley around Parma, where fruit, vegetables and rice depend on its water. [3] Exceptionally low levels are also affecting supplies, with Ansa reporting tanker deliveries to more than 100 municipalities in Piedmont and Lombardy. [3] Around Pavia, the river has narrowed to a shallow channel, leaving large areas of riverbed exposed and making navigation increasingly difficult for leisure boats and rowing clubs. [3] In the rice-growing Lomellina area, officials warn that the situation could worsen without significant rainfall, forcing farmers to rely increasingly on groundwater and emergency measures. [3] Further downstream, near Parma, tributaries and irrigation canals serving intensive fruit and vegetable farming are also running low. [3] Farmers report that water rationing is already affecting irrigation schedules, while the basin authority has identified the stretch below Piacenza as particularly vulnerable as falling water levels expose tree trunks and other debris. [3] In Turin, the Po has been reduced to a slow-moving, algae-covered channel. [3] Municipal crews have been using excavators mounted on barges to clear dense growth of invasive aquatic plants near the city centre. [3] Regional data show that the river’s flow through Turin has fallen by more than half since June, while at the Sant’Antonio island monitoring station downstream, discharge has at times dropped to around a quarter of its normal level. [3] Officials warn that heat and low water are accelerating algae and invasive species, disrupting navigation and recreation. [3]
Heavy Snow and Icy Blast Hit South African Provinces
A bitter cold snap has brought heavy snow to high-lying areas of South Africa's Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, and Western Cape, along with freezing temperatures, strong winds, rain, and rough seas. [5] Snow has covered high-lying areas while forecasters warn of more wintry weather and rough seas along the coast. [5] Snow has fallen across high-lying parts of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Free State, while mountain peaks in the Western Cape have also turned white. [5] The snowfall has created striking winter scenes across the country, with snow-covered landscapes contrasting with the milder conditions South Africa typically experiences during winter. [5] Further snowfall remains possible, particularly over mountainous areas as the cold system continues to move across the country. [5] The South African Weather Service has warned of wet, very cold and windy conditions across several regions. [5] The southern Free State, Northern Cape, Gauteng and Mpumalanga are among the areas experiencing the cold spell, while similar conditions are affecting the interior of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. [5] Strong winds and persistent wet weather are adding to the difficult conditions. [5] Gauteng is experiencing cloudy, cold to very cold conditions, with scattered showers and rain. [5] Snow is also possible over the province’s western high ground, according to the weather service. [5] The combination of freezing temperatures, rain and strong winds could make travel and outdoor activities difficult in affected areas. [5] The cold weather is also being accompanied by rough seas along parts of South Africa’s coastline. [5] Authorities are urging members of the public and farmers to take precautions as the wintry conditions continue. [5] Residents in affected areas have been advised to prepare for the cold, wet and windy weather, while motorists are encouraged to exercise caution in areas affected by snow and poor visibility. [5]
Forecast and Impacts for Affected Regions
The South African Weather Service warns of continued very cold, wet, and windy conditions across Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, and interior regions with possible additional snowfall on high ground. [5] Forecasters expect the cold snap to continue bringing wintry conditions to parts of the country, with further snowfall possible in elevated areas. [5] A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Grundy County, Illinois, with storms moving east at 60 mph and producing 70 mph wind gusts capable of considerable tree damage and harm to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings. [1] A Severe Thunderstorm Warning covers Pulaski County in northwestern Indiana until 1230 PM EDT, with golf-ball-size hail and 60 mph winds that can injure people and animals and damage roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. [2] The Po River in northern Italy is running at exceptionally low levels approaching or exceeding 2022 drought records, forcing tanker water deliveries to over 100 municipalities, reducing irrigation for farms in the Food Valley, and promoting algae growth. [3] Officials warn that heat and low water are accelerating algae and invasive species, disrupting navigation and recreation. [3]
Broader European Weather Context
The prolonged heat has also worsened drought and wildfires across Europe, putting further pressure on water resources. [3] Officials warn that heat and low water are accelerating algae and invasive species, disrupting navigation and recreation. [3] The Po River Basin Authority says flows are well below seasonal averages, with levels at several monitoring stations approaching or exceeding records set during the severe drought of 2022. [3]
What to watch next: Forecasters expect the cold snap to continue bringing wintry conditions to parts of South Africa with further snowfall possible in elevated areas, while the Po River situation could worsen without significant rainfall.
