HIGH WIND WARNING IN REGION THAT INCLUDES ARLINGTON HEIGHTS
AND THE CITIES OF…ROCKFORD…BELVIDERE…WOODSTOCK…
WAUKEGAN…OREGON…DIXON…DEKALB…AURORA…WHEATON…CHICAGO
AND THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES …
WINNEBAGO-BOONE-MCHENRY-LAKE IL-OGLE-LEE-DE KALB-KANE-DUPAGE-COOK
The National Weather Service issued at 11:10 a.m. CDT Monday a HIGH WIND WARNING effective IMMEDIATELY at 11:10 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. Wednesday. Sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph are forecast with gusts up to 60 mph.
The low end wind speed range of an EFO tornado is 65 mph. The low end wind speed range of a Category One Hurricane is 74 mph.
The sustained winds from the southwest and south-southwest are expected to continue until no later than 7:00 p.m. Wednesday. The winds appear to be as severe or worse than Tuesday in Arlington Heights. Winds are expected to diminish about 6:00 p.m. and then switch to wind direction from the west at about 5:00 a.m. Thursday. On Monday forecasters originally forecast a HIGH WIND WARNING from Tuesday morning through Wednesday night. Then a high wind warning issued at 8:52 p.m. Monday, October 25, 2010 limited the HIGH WIND WARNING to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday. Forecasters were concerned that the wind might increase to WIND WARNING LEVELS but were indicating that the forecast wind might not warrant a HIGH WIND WARNING on Wednesday. Then winds reached the high levels today, and the warning was re-issued.
During 60 mph winds, some roof peeling of shingles could occur, large branches could fall with power failures, small trees could be pushed over at the roots, and large, weakened trees could be blown totally over at the base roots. Signage and traffic signals could also be damaged. Outdoor furniture is also susceptible to high winds. Garbage bags for pickup are likely to blow around Wednesday on the north side of town — north of Oakton. High profile vehicles, such as trailers, SUVs, buses and vans may be difficult to drive.