6/27/2009 - Northern Illinois Shelf Cloud

A short chase today to intercept an eastward-moving MCS straddling I-88 and I -74 corridor. Sharon and I left late in the afternoon -- well after initiation in eastern Iowa -- intercepting the shelf cloud south of Dixon, IL. We tried to stay ahead of the system as it "gusted out" near Waterman, eventually driving back to DeKalb as the northern end of the line decayed.

Shelf cloud south of Dixon, looking north.

South of Dixon, looking west.

Mendota "Hills" windfarm, near Paw Paw.

Another view of the shelf at the wind farm.

A small bit of time lapse from the short chase.

Animated gif illustrating the MCS -- we were chased by the northern surge across Lee County.