Author: Nina Clarke

Nina Clarke is a staff writer at Chicago Music Guide covering the full spectrum of American life from breaking weather emergencies and community safety reports to local crime developments and cultural events. With a background in general assignment reporting, Nina brings a ground-level perspective to stories that affect real people in real communities across the U.S. Her work reflects a belief that a music publication can't exist in a bubble the storms, the streets, and the stories around the venues matter just as much as what happens on stage.

WEATHER

Deep Northwest Storm Cycle Slams Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, Idaho and Montana with Multi-Foot Snow Through March 14
ByNina Clarke March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON — A powerful and persistent storm cycle is hammering the Northwestern United States and southwestern Canada, with heavy mountain snowfall continuing through Saturday, March 14, delivering multi-foot totals across key ranges in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia. Forecast projections for March 8–13 show widespread double-digit snowfall totals, with some high-elevation resorts…

Read More Deep Northwest Storm Cycle Slams Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, Idaho and Montana with Multi-Foot Snow Through March 14
WEATHER

Illinois Shatters State Record as Massive 5-Inch Hailstone Discovered Northwest of Buckingham During Explosive Storm Outbreak
ByNina Clarke March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

BUCKINGHAM, ILLINOIS — In the wake of a violent severe storm outbreak, an astonishing discovery has confirmed what many storm observers suspected: Illinois has a new state record hailstone. A hailstone measuring five inches in diameter was found northwest of Buckingham, officially marking the largest hailstone ever documented in Illinois history. A Record-Breaking Measurement Photos…

Read More Illinois Shatters State Record as Massive 5-Inch Hailstone Discovered Northwest of Buckingham During Explosive Storm Outbreak
WEATHER

Tornado Emergency Declared for Knox, Indiana Until 9:00 PM CDT as Damaging Tornado and Tennis Ball–Size Hail Threaten Community
ByNina Clarke March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

KNOX, INDIANA — A Tornado Emergency has been declared for the city of Knox in northern Indiana, with the warning valid until 9:00 PM CDT Tuesday, March 10, 2026, signaling an exceptionally dangerous and life-threatening situation. Officials are warning of a damaging tornado impacting or imminent in the Knox area, along with the possibility of…

Read More Tornado Emergency Declared for Knox, Indiana Until 9:00 PM CDT as Damaging Tornado and Tennis Ball–Size Hail Threaten Community
WEATHER

Coronal Hole #31 Turns Toward Earth, Triggering Minor G1 Geomagnetic Storm Watch Beginning March 13
ByNina Clarke March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

UNITED STATES — A well-established coronal hole identified as #31 has rotated into an Earth-facing position, and forecasters now expect a high-speed solar wind stream to reach our planet beginning Friday, March 13. As a result, a minor (G1) geomagnetic storm watch has been issued. Coronal Hole #31 Now Facing Earth Solar imagery shows Coronal…

Read More Coronal Hole #31 Turns Toward Earth, Triggering Minor G1 Geomagnetic Storm Watch Beginning March 13
LOCAL NEWS

New Map Reveals How Far Chicago and the Midwest Are from America’s National Parks — Gulf Coast and Central Plains Face the Longest Drives
ByNina Clarke March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — A newly released distance analysis map highlights how far Americans live from the nearest U.S. national park — and for Chicago and much of the Midwest, the results may surprise you. The map uses a color scale from blue (closest) to deep red (farthest), measuring distance in miles to the nearest designated…

Read More New Map Reveals How Far Chicago and the Midwest Are from America’s National Parks — Gulf Coast and Central Plains Face the Longest Drives
WEATHER

Tornado Watch Issued for Central and Southern Oklahoma as Discrete Supercells Rapidly Intensify from Oklahoma City to Lawton and Ponca City
ByNina Clarke March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

CENTRAL & SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA — A rapidly evolving severe weather situation is unfolding this afternoon across central and southern Oklahoma, where discrete supercells have developed and intensified, prompting the issuance of Tornado Watch #33, valid from 5:00 PM until 11:00 PM CDT. Radar imagery shows multiple rotating storms scattered from near Clinton and Hobart eastward…

Read More Tornado Watch Issued for Central and Southern Oklahoma as Discrete Supercells Rapidly Intensify from Oklahoma City to Lawton and Ponca City
WEATHER

Historic Kona Low Targets Honolulu and Oahu with 13 Inches of Rain, 20–30 Inches in Higher Terrain, and Blizzard Conditions on Hawaii’s Peaks
ByNina Clarke March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

HONOLULU, HAWAII — A powerful Kona Low is set to slam the Hawaiian Islands this week, bringing a dangerous combination of significant flooding, severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, and even blizzard conditions on the state’s highest peaks. According to the latest forecast data, Honolulu could see 13 inches of rain between Tuesday and Saturday, an astonishing…

Read More Historic Kona Low Targets Honolulu and Oahu with 13 Inches of Rain, 20–30 Inches in Higher Terrain, and Blizzard Conditions on Hawaii’s Peaks
WEATHER

SPC Upgrades Midwest and Northeast to 30% Severe Wind Risk Wednesday as Damaging Gusts Target Ohio Valley to Mid-Atlantic
ByNina Clarke March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

MIDWEST & NORTHEAST — The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded Wednesday’s severe weather outlook, issuing a 30% severe wind risk across parts of the Midwest and Northeast, signaling the potential for scattered to numerous damaging wind gusts. The elevated wind threat stretches from portions of the Ohio Valley into the Mid-Atlantic and interior Northeast, with…

Read More SPC Upgrades Midwest and Northeast to 30% Severe Wind Risk Wednesday as Damaging Gusts Target Ohio Valley to Mid-Atlantic
WEATHER

Tornado Threat Diminishes Overnight Across Illinois and Indiana After Violent Outbreak, But Wind and Hail Continue from Midwest to Texas
ByNina Clarke March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

ILLINOIS — After a wild day of severe weather that brought record-breaking hail and strong tornadoes across Illinois and Indiana, the tornado threat has significantly decreased overnight. While the atmosphere remains active from the Midwest down into southern Texas, the primary concern has shifted away from tornadoes and toward damaging winds and large hail. Forecasters…

Read More Tornado Threat Diminishes Overnight Across Illinois and Indiana After Violent Outbreak, But Wind and Hail Continue from Midwest to Texas
WEATHER

SPC Issues Mesoscale Discussion for Central Illinois as Tornado Watch 32 Continues with Threat of 100–130 mph Tornadoes and Growing Damaging Wind Risk
ByNina Clarke March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

CENTRAL ILLINOIS — The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Mesoscale Discussion for parts of central Illinois as severe storms continue to move east out of Missouri and Iowa into the heart of the state. The discussion highlights ongoing concerns within Tornado Watch 32, where tornadoes, large hail, and an increasing damaging wind threat are…

Read More SPC Issues Mesoscale Discussion for Central Illinois as Tornado Watch 32 Continues with Threat of 100–130 mph Tornadoes and Growing Damaging Wind Risk