Chicago Weather Update: Brace for High Winds on March 13th
The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning for much of central Ohio, including areas around Chicago, effective from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. on March 13th. Residents are urged to prepare for potentially damaging wind gusts reaching up to 60 mph. This warning impacts Franklin, Delaware, Licking, Madison, and Union counties.
What to Expect: Wind Speeds and Potential Impacts
Expect sustained southwesterly winds between 25 and 35 mph, with gusts potentially hitting 60 mph. These strong winds pose several risks:
- Downed Trees and Power Lines: The high winds could easily topple trees and bring down power lines, leading to widespread outages.
- Flying Debris: Unsecured objects outdoors are at risk of becoming airborne projectiles.
- Difficult Travel: High-profile vehicles, such as trucks and buses, will likely experience challenging driving conditions.
This warning follows a recent round of thunderstorms that swept through the region on March 11th, which, thankfully, spared Columbus and central Ohio from severe damage. However, that system did trigger a tornado watch, a wind advisory, and a flash flood warning for Pickaway, Fayette, and Ross counties.
Detailed Forecast
Friday, March 13th
Partly sunny, with a high near 56°F. Expect windy conditions with a southwest wind of 26 to 35 mph, and gusts as high as 60 mph. Tonight, partly cloudy with a low around 31°F, and breezy with a northwest wind of 15 to 20 mph, decreasing to 7 to 12 mph after midnight. Gusts could reach 37 mph.
Saturday, March 14th
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51°F. Light and variable wind becoming east 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Tonight, mostly cloudy with a low around 42°F.
Sunday, March 15th
Mostly cloudy and windy, with a high near 69°F. Overnight, rain is expected, mainly after 2 a.m. Monday, with a low around 33°F. There’s a 90% chance of precipitation.
Safety Tips During High Winds
- Secure outdoor objects that could be blown away.
- Stay indoors as much as possible.
- If you must travel, be cautious and aware of your surroundings.
- Report downed power lines to your local utility company.
- Be prepared for potential power outages.
Stay updated with the latest weather information from the National Weather Service and local news sources.
Reporter Shahid Meighan can be reached at smeighan@dispatch.com, on X, and at shahidthereporter.dispatch.com on Bluesky.
