3/23/2012 - Upper-low Showers and T-storms

A large upper low across the lower Missouri Valley and strong low-level flow ushering in high 50s dew points promoted a narrow axis of modest instability across Illinois. Showers and thunderstorms moved across the area in waves, from early afternoon into the evening. Below are a couple lapses from the day. More lapses can be found in this directory.

Showers and a t-storm develop in eastern DeKalb County (Davis Hall, looking east). 

Convective tower (foreground torrent) generated by the Byron Nuclear Generating Station (radar illustrates the nearly stationary shower southwest of Rockford).

Showers and thunderstorms move across the far southern section of DeKalb.

3/12/2012 - Early Season Thunderstorms

A mid-level low and elevated March low-level moisture permitted a tiny bit of instability to form across northern Illinois on Monday. A couple rounds of weak thunderstorms passed through the area, bringing a few claps of thunder and some very small hail. Below are some images of the first round of t-storms I captured on the way back from the store in the late morning. Black-and-white theme as it has been that kind of a day.

Sorry, no tripod ... handheld makes for some jumpiness.