A strong arctic front extended from Central Wisconsin into Northwest Missouri early Friday morning.  Temperatures across the front at 6 A.M. Friday ranged from the middle 20s in the far Northwest Iowa to the middle and upper 50s in Northwest and West Central Illinois.  Much colder air was poised to the north of the region with temperatures in the single digits and teens in the Northern Plains.  This arctic front and the large temperature gradient across it combined with a vigorous upper level disturbance ejecting from the Southwestern United States to ignite severe thunderstorms.  Initial development occurred from Central Iowa into North Central Missouri late Friday afternoon and evening.  These storms then evolved into a squall line, which raced eastward through much of Northwest and West Central Illinois during the overnight and early morning on Saturday, producing many reports of wind damage.  Most of the damage occurred along and south of Interstate 80, where winds ranged from 60 to 80 mph.  One woman was injured in Coal Valley in Rock Island County when she was hit by flying debris in her home.

Thunderstorm Wind in WARREN, ILLINOIS
From 09-MAR-02 03:00:00 to 09-MAR-02 03:00:00 (CST)
Location: ROSEVILLE
Magnitude: 52 E
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Several 6 to 8 inch diameter tree limbs down.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENDERSON, ILLINOIS
From 09-MAR-02 02:45:00 to 09-MAR-02 02:45:00 (CST)
Location: TERRE HAUTE
Magnitude: 52 E
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Tree limbs down.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS
From 09-MAR-02 03:00:00 to 09-MAR-02 03:00:00 (CST)
Location: REYNOLDS
Magnitude: 61 E
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA

Two machine sheds collapsed.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS
From 09-MAR-02 03:10:00 to 09-MAR-02 03:10:00 (CST)
Location: COAL VLY
Magnitude: 52 E
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Window blown out of a residence.  Flying debris injured a woman.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCDONOUGH, ILLINOIS
From 09-MAR-02 03:00:00 to 09-MAR-02 03:00:00 (CST)
Location: MACOMB
Magnitude: 70 E
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Major damage to a factory roof on the west edge of the city.  A large section of the roof was removed.  Also, a block wall and several sprinkler pipes were damaged.  One 2x8 piece of wood from the damaged roof was tossed 60 feet and pierced the roof on another section of the factory.

Thunderstorm Wind in MERCER, ILLINOIS
From 09-MAR-02 03:15:00 to 09-MAR-02 03:15:00 (CST)
Location: NORWOOD
Magnitude: 52 E
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Power lines down.

Thunderstorm Wind in HANCOCK, ILLINOIS
From 09-MAR-02 02:40:00 to 09-MAR-02 02:40:00 (CST)
Location: DURHAM
Magnitude: 61 E
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Many tree limbs and several large trees down.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCDONOUGH, ILLINOIS
From 09-MAR-02 03:00:00 to 09-MAR-02 03:00:00 (CST)
Location: MACOMB
Magnitude: 52 E
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Part of a chimney was blown off a residence.

Thunderstorm Wind in HANCOCK, ILLINOIS
From 09-MAR-02 02:33:00 to 09-MAR-02 02:33:00 (CST)
Location: DALLAS CITY
Magnitude: 70 M
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD

Thunderstorm Wind in MERCER, ILLINOIS
From 09-MAR-02 03:00:00 to 09-MAR-02 03:00:00 (CST)
Location: ALEDO
Magnitude: 70 E
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

A homestead in rural Aledo suffered heavy damage.  High winds shattered windows and destroyed a barn, three empty grain storage bins, a fence, several dog houses and a children's swing set.

Thunderstorm Wind in MERCER, ILLINOIS
From 09-MAR-02 03:00:00 to 09-MAR-02 03:00:00 (CST)
Location: HAMLET
Magnitude: 61 E
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA

Garage torn off house, barn destroyed and large trees snapped.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENRY, ILLINOIS
From 09-MAR-02 03:40:00 to 09-MAR-02 03:40:00 (CST)
Location: ATKINSON
Magnitude: 52 E
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

Large tree toppled, and 20 foot boat overturned.