What is a derecho? What to know after Tuesday's destructive storms, damaging winds

Source NBC Local
Original Load Date Aug. 12, 2026, 3:01 p.m.
Last Updated Aug. 12, 2026, 3:01 p.m.
Original URL https://www.nbcchicago.com/weather/what-is-a-derecho-what-to-know-after-tuesdays-destructive-storms-damaging-winds/3974362/

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Tuesday's storms powered through the Chicago area at a unusual pace, bringing with them [ multiple tornado spin-ups ][1] and straight line winds that reached [ up to 100 mph ][2] . The Storm Prediction Center preliminarily determined Tuesday's destructive and "catastrophic" system to be a [ derecho...