MORE GOOD THAN BAD...

Apr 5, 2023
What looked to be a volatile weather situation for many around the central U.S. (fortunately) didn't live up to its potential. That's not to say there wasn't severe storms, as there were quite a few. However, most of the problems came from hail as opposed to tornadoes. The warm sector was somewhat capped and the cold sector far too chilly for anything but elevated hailers. Despite adequate shear, updrafts struggled to get rooted to the surface where conditions for tornadoes were most favorable. For the most part we caught a break regarding the tornadic threat.

However, a couple significant long tracked supercells did impact central Iowa and WC Illinois southeast of Macomb. At one time a large and dangerous tornado was reported on the ground near Lewistown, Ill. A longtime friend and storm chaser of mine, Kholby Martin out of Galesburg got the storm of the day near Table Grove, Illinois. He graciously shared these photos of a healthy tornado with T. Swails.com.

Debris from the tornado as it touches ground in open country.
It later grazed Table Grove causing tree and structural damage.
Hail with the storm reached 2.2 inches in diameter.
Unfortunately, the hailstones did a number on Kholby's chase vehicle. However, not to be deterred, he forged on despite shattered windows to watch the storm as it entered Table Grove before weakening on it's journey east.
MORNING MIGRAIN
Earlier in the day Tuesday, morning storms caused problems in and around the Quad Cities. Hail from what has been classified as an EF a tornado caused damage in Rock Island and Colona. Power was out in some areas all day. Donovan Buchanan sent me this golf ball sized stone that rattled things in Davenport Tuesday morning.
This is a destroyed gas station in Colona, the result of an EF2 NWS surveyed tornado.
As of late Tuesday night, 13 reports of additional tornadoes had come in to SPC with another 391 reports of hail.
By daybreak Wednesday the last of the storms will be out of the area as a strong cold front slashes its way across the Mississippi. Look at the projected temperatures around 9:00am. Can you spot the cold front!
Later around 4:00pm, everybody will be shivering in gusty winds and chilly temperatures. 
In my southern counties where Burlington reached 86 Tuesday, readings will be as much as 30 degrees colder.
Nobody wants the chill but as I alluded to in my previous post Monday, we are finally transitioning into a pattern that will bring us our first prolonged stretch of spring like temperatures this year. Wednesday's cool down will be with us again Thursday as highs remain in the 50s. However, things improve steadily after that and by Easter weekend highs are near or above 60 degrees. Easter itself looks fantastic with highs of 65 north to 70 south under mostly sunny skies. Break out the bonnet girls!
At that point, we are into the good stuff as you can see reflected in the 10 day average temperature departures for the period April 9th-19th. I would not be surprised to see a couple days in the 80s. I am so looking forward to the warming trend.
Precipitation looks limited the next 10 days too. Here's the departures April 5-15th. Mild and dry conditions, now that's a combination we can all embrace after a cold wet 2 month period.
That's all for now. Everybody take a deep breath. Severe weather is out of the forecast for the foreseeable future! Roll weather...TS