National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Regional Outbreaks of Severe Weather Through Early Next Week; Early Season Heat Wave across the South

Active spring pattern across the center of our nation with several episodes of severe weather and heavy rainfall expected into next week. The potential for very large hail, long track tornadoes, severe wind gusts, frequent cloud to ground lightning strikes and flash flooding are in the outlook. Furthermore, dangerous early season heat wave continues for the Gulf Coast states into early next week. Read More >

On July 2, 1980, a derecho with widespread damaging winds of 80 to 100 mph swept across portions of southeast Missouri, southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, and western Kentucky.  The storm toppled the tower for radio station W3D in Marion, Illinois, damaged the JC Penney at University Mall in Carbondale, Illinois, leveled a shopping center in West Frankfort, Illinois that was being constructed to house the current Kroger and former Kmart stores, and left thousands of residents without power for days amidst the sweltering July heat and humidity.

Click here for a summary of the July 2, 1980 derecho, including the path of the storm and damage summary from the July 1980 edition of Storm Data.