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Tag: National Weather Service
Each year, Illinois gets hit with more than 60 tornadoes, on average, and ranks in the Top 10 for the most tornadoes of any state in the nation. The odds of one or more tornadoes hitting a portion of DeKalb County is at least one in three every year. Our area also encounters 60 mph...
An early shot of the tornado near Franklin Grove, Ill. Photo courtesy Walker Ashley, NIU Deparment of Geography
On the early evening of April 9, 2015, a large, violent tornado moved across portions of Lee, Ogle, DeKalb and McHenry counties, with winds as high as 195 mph. DeKalb County’s small community of Fairdale sustained a direct hit from the twister, which killed two and injured dozens of others. Unfortunately, the odds of some...
Gilbert Sebenste
NIU Weather, part of the Department of Environmental Health and Safety, was named last week as a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS). “I am proud to announce our designation of Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador,” said NIU meteorologist Gilbert Sebenste. “What this means is that...
Photo of a tornado
When severe weather strikes, nothing beats an eye on the storm. “Despite all the technology that we have, radar can’t tell if there is a tornado, or what size hail is falling, or if there is flooding,” said Gilbert Sebenste, NIU staff meteorologist. “Having a weather spotter report these things – in real time – can save...
From left: Kyle Ullmark (EM specialist of the NIU Deptarment of Police and Public Safety) and NWS Chicago Lead Forecaster Matt Friedlein join NIU Staff Meteorologist Gilbert Sebenste.
Northern Illinois University has been re-certified at a very important level of readiness in protecting students, faculty and staff from severe weather. StormReady locations, including universities, are better prepared to take the right actions to save lives when severe weather strikes. This preparedness comes about through better planning, education and awareness of weather hazards. The requirements to become and maintain StormReady...
Photo of a tornado
As the severe weather season approaches, NIU Weather and the NIU American Meteorological Society are offering the opportunity to become a trained weather spotter. The weather spotters training will take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, in the Cole Hall Auditorium. This event is free, open to the public and does not require pre-registration...
With the first snowfall of the season predicted for Thursday, university employees and students are reminded that there are numerous ways to check if the weather has forced the university to cancel classes or close campuses. The quickest way is the university’s Winter Weather Information web page, which can be reached  by clicking on the...
Photo of a tornado
Severe weather has already impacted parts of Illinois and neighboring states thus far in 2012, and during Illinois’ Severe Weather Awareness Week, which runs through March 10, Northern Illinois University reminds all students, faculty, staff and visitors to be prepared for severe weather conditions such as flooding, thunderstorms and tornadoes and have emergency plans in...
Photo of a storm
A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for central DeKalb County until 2:45 p.m. At 1:44 p.m., the National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing quarter-size hail and damaging winds in excess of 60 mph. This storm was located near Shabbona and moving east at 10 mph. Locations impacted include DeKalb and Cortland. Heavy rains flood roads...
Gilbert Sebenste
  Had Dorothy left her Kansas home for the secure, StormReady confines of NIU, she would have had no need to fear the twister that whirled through her quaint rural town before sending her to Oz. For the ninth consecutive year, NIU has been certified as a StormReady University by the National Weather Service for...
Photo of a tornado
At 10 a.m. today, the National Weather Service will conduct its annual statewide tornado drill. As part of the drill: Your NOAA All-Hazards radio will go off for this test. The tornado warning that is issued will clearly state that it is a test. For those on NIU Weather e-mail lists, you’ll get the test...