Damaging Derecho

Earlier this morning, while those of us in the Kansas City Metro were preparing for another 100+ degree day, many others in the upper Midwest dealt with a derecho causing all sorts of damage. For those of you who are unfamiliar with a derecho, the word derecho comes from Spanish and means "straight." In weather, a derecho describes a windstorm that is long-lived and often produces extended stretches of straight-line wind damage. Derechos are similar to gust fronts in the sense that their movement is in the direction of the thunderstorms they are associated with. Unlike a gust front, a derecho's winds are sustained and often increase in strength behind the "gust front." Derechos are a warm weather phenomenon found mostly in the summer months, however, they can occur at anytime during the year, day or night!

Here is a picture from the Storm Prediction Center showing the number of reports from this storm.

Damage reports from this storm tracked across Iowa and into Illinois. Winds were reported to be around 80mph and some places also experienced heavy rain, almost 2in in 24 hours! Damaged grain bins, significant tree damage, downed power lines, and power outages were also a result of this storm.
Damage near Cedar Rapids, IA (Photo courtesy of KCRG-TV)
  
If there is one group of people who may remember this storm, it would be the folks from WHO TV Channel 13 in Des Moines. Their radar was destroyed and parts of it (as shown below) was thrown into the yard of a nearby home.



Back to us here in the KC metro, it is just going to remain hot and humid. We are under an excessive heat warning until 7pm Tuesday. Drink plenty of water and stay in air-conditioned rooms whenever possible. If you find yourself outside, be sure take necessary precautions like wearing sunscreen and light colored clothing. If you are working outside, take frequent breaks in a shaded or air-conditioned environment.

Stay Cool!
Kristy