Sunday Evening Update: Massive Tornado Outbreak (Weather To Worsen In Vermont)

As expected, a huge tornado outbreak has hit the Midwest, so far especially in Illinois and Indiana.

Aerial view of severe
tornado damage Sunday
 in Washinton, Ill.  

At least four people have died so far in the twisters, and there's widespread property damage. As of 6:30 p.m. EST, there have been at least 77 reports of tornadoes, according to the National Severe Storms Prediction Center.

The tornado outbreak was still ongoing as of 6:30 p.m.. I fear the death toll and damage will rise. That's especially true because the forward speed of the tornadoes, 70 mph, doesn't give anyone much time to take shelter. And night has fallen, so you can't see them coming until they're right on top of of you.

This is likely to one of the biggest November tornado outbreaks in U.S. history, and it appears to be the furthest north of any major November tornado outbreak. (If you're going to get a tornado outbreak in November, it's usually along the Gulf Coast and in the southeastern United States.)

The wild weather continues to trundle toward the east.  I still expect we'll get in on the action here in Vermont and in surrounding states later tonight.

The Storm Prediction Center has moved the slight risk zone for severe storms eastward, and it now covers at least the western half of Vermont tonight.

Don't worry, we won't get any tornadoes. In fact, there probably won't be that much thunder and lightning. The main threat will be a period of strong, gusty, maybe damaging winds as a squall line surges west to east across New York, Vermont and New Hampshire later tonight and before dawn Monday.

So you might expect to see some power failures and fallen trees. (Don't be surprised if your alarm clock doens't go off Monday morning when it's supposed to.)

It'll all clear out during the day on Monday, though winds will remain gusty. Look for a return to winter, too, with some occasional spells of snow showers starting Tuesday and going right into next weekend.

Hell, I'll take snow showers over the terrible tragedies going on in the Midwest today.

Here's a video of one of Sunday's tornadoes. This one is a particularly destructive twister in Washington Illinois.