Summary of February 27, 2024 Severe Weather Reports |
Summary of February 27, 2024 Tornado Tracks |
Fast Facts
Following summer-like, record warmth, severe thunderstorms developed in the late afternoon of Tuesday, February 27th over northwest Illinois and spread east through the evening across the Chicago metro area.​
A total of 11 tornadoes touched down in Illinois and 1 in Indiana. There were 11 tornadoes in total across the NWS Chicago area of responsibility, which is the most in a February event since official NWS tornado records began in 1950.
​This was only the fourth time on record that tornadoes were observed in the NWS Chicago forecast area in February (1 tornado occurred on 2/16/2006, 7 tornadoes occurred on 2/28/2017, and 3 tornadoes occurred just last year on 2/27/2023).
Large hail was observed in several locations as the storms passed through the area. The largest reported hailstones were 2-2.5" in diameter.
A Tornado Watch was issued at 3:54 PM CST from the Quad Cities area across the NWS Chicago forecast area and far southeast Wisconsin. Thereafter, NWS Chicago issued several Tornado Warnings and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings as it became clear as to which locations would be impacted by tornadoes, severe winds, and/or large hail.
Tornado Watch issued at 3:54 PM CST |
The severe weather came on the heels of record warm temperatures that were observed on the 26th and 27th. Chicago set two new daily temperature records, while Rockford set three during this two-day stretch.
Rockford not only set new daily high temperature records, but also broke its all-time warmest temperature record for both February and meteorological winter on consecutive days -- first breaking these records with a high temperature of 73°F on the 26th and then superseding that on the 27th with a high temperature of 78°F!
This warmth capped what was the warmest February on record for both Chicago and Rockford (and one of the warmest winters on record for both cities as well).
Graphic summarizing the record warmth observed at the end of February |
Temperatures also plummeted Tuesday night behind a strong cold front, falling 54 degrees and 60 degrees in Chicago and Rockford, respectively, in less than 24 hours -- one of the largest 24-hour temperature drops observed at both locations.
Tornadoes
Below is a summary of all 12 tornadoes that were confirmed in northern Illinois and northwest Indiana during this severe weather event. An interactive map with all of these tornado tracks can be found on our Damage Assessment Toolkit Viewer website (change the date range in the top right corner to include 2/27/2024 to see tornadoes from this event). Instructions for how to download survey data (KMZ and shapefiles) are available here.
Downloadable KMZ file with all storm survey data
Downloadable shapefile with all storm survey data
1.) Annawan, IL Tornado
(click on image to enlarge) |
2.) Compton, IL Tornado
(click on image to enlarge) A brief tornado, which was sighted by storm chasers, touched down along Beemerville Road northeast of Compton and caused roof damage to a farm outbuilding. |
3.) Waterman, IL Tornado
(click on image to enlarge) High resolution satellite imagery shows a ground swirl pattern in a field beginning near Miller Road and IL-23. The track moved through a field to the southeast, then turned to the east as it crossed Crego Road. The tornado lifted just east of Crego Road. Because this tornado did not impact any buildings or trees, no intensity estimates could be made, and thus, this tornado was assigned an EF-U (EF-Unknown) rating. |
4.) Hinckley to Big Rock, IL Tornado
(click on image to enlarge) Storm chasers documented a tornado touching down in a field south of Hinckley near Somonauk Road and Bastian Road. High resolution satellite imagery shows that this tornado first moved to the northeast mostly in open fields, but likely caused tree damage to properties just north of Bastian Road. The tornado then turned to the east and caused damage to multiple farm outbuildings, peeled shingles off of roofs, and caused tree damage before lifting as it tracked into Big Rock. |
5.) Maple Park to Campton Hills, IL Tornado
(click on image to enlarge) This tornado touched down along Keslinger Road just west of Watson Road between Maple Park and Elburn. The tornado then may have lifted intermittently as it approached, crossed, and then eventually paralleled Route 38 before sustaining itself on the ground as it tracked northeast into the southwest side of Campton Hills. The path of the tornado was characterized by damage to trees, a grain elevator, a windmill, and building roofing. The tornadic damage was consistent with an EF-0 rating with 80 mph winds. |
6.) Sugar Grove to Batavia, IL Tornado
(click on image to enlarge) This tornado touched down near Hartner Road southwest of Waubonsee Community College. Damage to trees was noted as the tornado moved northeast toward IL-47. The tornado then moved through the Waubonsee Community College property with damage to trees, signs, and one large parking lot light pole, with a width of approximately 80 yards. Minor tree damage occurred at a farm along Bliss Road. The tornado widened to its peak width of approximately 125 yards as it neared two farms on Seavey Road near Lake Run. At one farm, multiple evergreen trees were snapped 5-10 feet above ground level. Across the road, a large wooden barn was pushed off its foundation and collapsed, with minor damage to the roof of a nearby grain silo and some nearby trees. The tornado continued to the northeast along Lake Run, causing minor tree damage. The tornado then narrowed and weakened as it neared Nelson Lake Road, with only minor tree damage noted. The tornado entered the southwest side of Batavia and moved through a residential area along Alberosky Way and Hapner Way, causing damage to shingles at multiple houses and several small branches, covering a width of approximately 100 yards. Damage to trees continued along Saupp Drive and Deerpath Road, with street signs damaged. The tornado then crossed Main Street near Deerpath Road, with damage to industrial equipment noted, along with some nearby minor tree damage. The tornado moved into a commercial area near Wilson Street and Randall Road, causing some damage to signs and the roof covering of strip malls. Sporadic tree damage was observed as the tornado continued to the northeast, and the tornado appeared to dissipate near McKee Street and Western Avenue. |
7.) Geneva, IL Tornado
(click on image to enlarge) This tornado touched down along Keslinger Road west of Randall Road in Geneva. The first instance of damage was noted to a metal garage/storage building, which had portions of roofing and walls damaged or removed and was shifted off its foundation. The structure did not appear to be properly anchored to its foundation. Trees and a traffic light were then damaged as the tornado crossed the intersection, with shingle, soffit, and siding damage noted at a commercial building before the tornado moved into a residential area. A concentrated corridor of damage consistent with EF-1 wind speeds near 95 mph occurred along Cambridge Drive and Essex Court, where damage to several roofs and windows was observed. In addition, nearby trees were significantly damaged with almost all large branches snapped. The tornado weakened and narrowed as it moved east just north of Kaneville Road, with tree damage noted until the tornado dissipated near Kaneville Road and Burgess Road. The tornado was on the ground for fewer than two minutes. |
8.) South Barrington/Hoffman Estates, IL Tornado #1
(click on image to enlarge)
This tornado touched down just west of Sutton Road and north of Golf Road in the Carl Hansen Woods of the Arthur L. Janura Preserve, initially producing tree damage and peeling part of the roof off of a picnic shelter. The tornado may have lifted temporarily as it tracked northeast through the preserve toward Bartlett Road and Shoe Factory Road, but access to these forest preserve areas was limited. Along Higgins Road, roof and fascia damage was noted to several buildings in an office complex before the tornado caused damage at Goebbert`s Farm across the road. In the subdivision to the northeast of the farm, a few trees were uprooted along Star Lane. The tornado then moved into The Glen subdivision, where it produced a swath of concentrated tree damage and damaged roofs and chimneys at a few residences as it reached its peak width. The tornado then produced tree damage along and north of Mundhank Road before it dissipated as it entered the Terra Vita Estates subdivision. |
9.) Hoffman Estates to Inverness, IL Tornado
(click on image to enlarge) This tornado touched down in the area near Della Drive in Hoffman Estates and tracked northeast, snapping tree branches, downing power lines along Hassell Road, and damaging shingles, fascia, and gutters on homes. The tornado then tracked across I-90 and entered the Paul Douglas Forest Preserve, where it snapped and uprooted several trees. The tornado then exited the forest preserve and entered the subdivision to the northwest of Algonquin Road and Ela Road, where it caused roof, soffit, and fascia damage to several residences. Shortly thereafter, the tornado lifted as it entered Inverness. |
10.) South Barrington/Hoffman Estates, IL Tornado #2
(click on image to enlarge) This tornado formed near Studio Drive in South Barrington, with the first damage observed at the South Barrington Tennis Club. The tornado moved northeastward through eastern sections of The Glen subdivision, producing sporadic tree damage. As the tornado crossed Barrington Road near Mundhank Road, significant tree damage occurred, with numerous branches and trunks snapped. The tornado continued northeast toward Willow Creek Church, where it uprooted at least one tree and damaged metal bus shelters. Damage became less severe as the tornado neared Algonquin Road, but increased again as the tornado turned to the east toward Whispering Trails Drive and Huntington Boulevard in Hoffman Estates. Damage was noted to residences along Chesapeake Court, Fir Court, and Crimson Drive with two residences losing a significant amount of roofing material. Other homes in the neighborhood had shingle damage, and a window was damaged at another residence. Tree damage, including broken limbs, was also observed. Roofing material removed from a home on Fir Court was deposited to the northwest, with plywood impaled into the ground and other debris penetrating the wall of a house, ending up in its living room. The tornado dissipated near Crimson Drive in Hoffman Estates. |
11.) Mundelein, IL Tornado
(click on image to enlarge) This tornado had a very short path with damage confined primarily to a single two-story apartment building. Most of the roof was removed from the building, and a portion of the brick facade also collapsed when the roof was removed. Two large softwood trees in the parking lot east of the building were uprooted. Debris was deposited to the east across the street, where a few tree branches were also snapped. In the apartment building south of the main one that was damaged, a resident described seeing a second story glass patio door on the east side being pulled out and shattered by the winds. |
12.) Gary, IN Tornado
(click on image to enlarge) A tornado touched down near Cline Avenue and Industrial Highway just north of Gary Airport. The tornado moved eastward through a wooded industrial area and damaged multiple power poles, including snapping several that were relatively new. Snapped tree limbs were also observed along the path of the tornado. The tornado then turned east-northeast and moved offshore onto Lake Michigan. |
The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories:
EF0 Weak 65-85 mph |
EF1 Moderate 86-110 mph |
EF2 Significant 111-135 mph |
EF3 Severe 136-165 mph |
EF4 Extreme 166-200 mph |
EF5 Catastrophic 200+ mph |
When a tornado is known to have occurred but does not cause damage to any qualified damage indicators, or if the only damage is located in an area that is inaccessible to NWS storm survey personnel, then a tornado may be assigned the EF-Unknown (EF-U) rating.
Straight-Line Winds
|
|
Multiple areas of straight-line winds occurred with the storms of February 27, 2024. The most notable area of straight-line winds occurred in northwestern Cook County and southern Lake County, with a narrow corridor of peak winds estimated at about 80 mph. Numerous instances of damage to trees and shingles were observed in this corridor, which covered a larger area than what was impacted by the tornadoes. The highest measured wind gust of 82 mph occurred just to the northwest of Palatine.
Hail
|
|
Hail was common with the storms of February 27, 2024. Although most areas experienced hail of quarter size (1 inch) diameter or smaller, a few narrow corridors of larger hail occurred. Notable hail corridors include the Amboy/Sublette areas, far southeastern DuPage County near Darien, and southern Cook County near Orland Park and Harvey. The largest hail was observed in the Darien and south Downers Grove areas where hail of 2.0 to 2.5 inches in diameter occurred.
Storm Reports
Preliminary storm reports from 2/27/2024 |
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary National Weather Service Chicago IL 858 PM CST Fri Mar 1 2024 ..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON... ..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE.... ..REMARKS.. 0528 PM Hail 6 W Sublette 41.63N 89.34W 02/27/2024 E1.00 inch Lee IL Public Relayed via mPING. 0557 PM Hail 4 SW Steward 41.80N 89.08W 02/27/2024 M1.50 inch Lee IL Trained Spotter Ping pong ball sized hail. 0558 PM Funnel Cloud 3 W West Brooklyn 41.69N 89.20W 02/27/2024 Lee IL Storm Chaser Photo shows funnel cloud between Sublette and West Brooklyn. Observer was near IL-251 and Welland Road looking WNW at 558 PM. 0606 PM Hail 3 WNW Sublette 41.66N 89.28W 02/27/2024 M1.75 inch Lee IL Law Enforcement Relayed via HAM radio operator. At least golf ball sized hail. 0616 PM Hail Sublette 41.64N 89.23W 02/27/2024 M1.75 inch Lee IL Emergency Mngr Photo of estimated golf ball size hail. Time estimated. 0620 PM Funnel Cloud Paw Paw 41.69N 88.98W 02/27/2024 Lee IL Public Multiple photos shared via social media show funnel cloud near Paw Paw. 0637 PM Hail Shabbona 41.77N 88.87W 02/27/2024 M2.00 inch De Kalb IL Public Photo shared via social media showing 2 inch diameter hail in Shabbona. Time estimated from radar. 0652 PM Hail Huntley 42.18N 88.43W 02/27/2024 M1.00 inch McHenry IL Public Public report of quarter sized hail in Huntley. 0655 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 SW Big Rock 41.73N 88.59W 02/27/2024 Kane IL NWS Storm Survey A couple of farm outbuildings and trees were damaged near and southwest of Big Rock, south of the path of the Hinckley to Big Rock tornado. After footage from storm chasers was reviewed and an NWS damage survey was conducted, it was determined that this damage was caused by straight-line winds of up to 70 mph. 0701 PM Hail 2 NNW Somonauk 41.66N 88.70W 02/27/2024 E1.00 inch De Kalb IL Public Near intersection of Council Rd and Suydam Rd. 0705 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Sugar Grove 41.76N 88.44W 02/27/2024 M63 MPH Kane IL ASOS Peak Gust 55 knots at KARR. 0705 PM Hail 3 ESE Maple Park 41.89N 88.54W 02/27/2024 E1.00 inch Kane IL Public Relayed via mPING. Time estimated by radar. 0706 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Elburn 41.89N 88.47W 02/27/2024 Kane IL Emergency Mngr Fence panels and a large tree limb were downed in Elburn. Time estimated from radar. 0706 PM Hail 1 ENE Somonauk 41.64N 88.67W 02/27/2024 E1.25 inch De Kalb IL Public Relayed via mPING. 0715 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 W Batavia 41.85N 88.34W 02/27/2024 Kane IL Emergency Mngr Mobile office trailer within a construction site in the Jewell Osco parking lot flipped on its side. Shopping cart corrals also blown around. 0724 PM Tstm Wnd Gst DuPage Airport 41.90N 88.25W 02/27/2024 M61 MPH DuPage IL ASOS Measured gust to 53 knots at KDPA. 0725 PM Hail 1 N Wayne 41.97N 88.26W 02/27/2024 M1.00 inch Kane IL Public Photo shared via social media showing 1 inch diameter hail in Wayne. Time estimated from radar. 0726 PM Hail 3 ENE Pecatonica 42.33N 89.30W 02/27/2024 M1.50 inch Winnebago IL Public 0728 PM Hail Winnebago 42.27N 89.24W 02/27/2024 M0.70 inch Winnebago IL Broadcast Media Pea to dime size hail at WREX. 0728 PM Hail 1 W Oswego 41.68N 88.38W 02/27/2024 E0.88 inch Kendall IL Public Nickel sized hail briefly occurred near US-34 and Orchard Road in Oswego. Time estimated by radar. 0730 PM Hail 3 SSE East Dundee 42.07N 88.24W 02/27/2024 E1.00 inch Cook IL Public Relayed via mPING. Time estimated by radar. 0734 PM Hail 2 NE Hanover Park 42.02N 88.12W 02/27/2024 M0.88 inch Cook IL NWS Employee NWS employee reported nickel sized hail in Schaumburg near Schaumburg Road and Springinsguth Road. Time estimated by radar. 0734 PM Hail 1 SSW Hoffman Estates 42.04N 88.11W 02/27/2024 E1.00 inch Cook IL Public Relayed via mPING. Time estimated by radar. 0735 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 W Schaumburg 42.03N 88.09W 02/27/2024 Cook IL Broadcast Media Tree downed near the Schaumburg post office. Time estimated from radar. 0737 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 S Inverness 42.11N 88.09W 02/27/2024 Cook IL NWS Storm Survey Widespread tree and powerline damage caused by straight-line winds observed in northern Hoffman Estates and Inverness. 0738 PM Hail 4 ESE Aurora 41.74N 88.25W 02/27/2024 E1.00 inch DuPage IL Trained Spotter Estimated quarter size hail near Eola and Ogden. 0739 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 WNW Rolling Meadows 42.08N 88.04W 02/27/2024 M65 MPH Cook IL Public Private weather station KILPALAT92 reported a 65 mph gust near Palatine. 0740 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SW Inverness 42.10N 88.12W 02/27/2024 M56 MPH Cook IL Public Private weather station KILHOFFM5 reported 56 mph gust near Hoffman Estates. 0740 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 S Inverness 42.09N 88.10W 02/27/2024 M62 MPH Cook IL Public Private weather station KILPALAT43 reported 62 mph gust near Hoffman Estates. 0740 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 NNW Palatine 42.14N 88.05W 02/27/2024 Cook IL NWS Storm Survey Widespread tree and powerline damage caused by straight-line winds observed in Palatine, especially on the northwest side of the village, where a deck gazebo was destroyed and roof shingles were also peeled off of houses. 0743 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Kildeer 42.17N 88.04W 02/27/2024 Lake IL NWS Storm Survey Widespread tree damage caused by straight-line winds observed in Kildeer. 0745 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Long Grove 42.18N 87.99W 02/27/2024 Lake IL NWS Storm Survey Widespread tree damage caused by straight-line winds observed in Long Grove. 0747 PM Hail 3 N Plainfield 41.65N 88.20W 02/27/2024 M1.50 inch Will IL NWS Employee NWS employee reports hail up to 1.5 inch diameter in Plainfield. Time estimated by radar. 0747 PM Hail 1 SSE Buffalo Grove 42.15N 87.96W 02/27/2024 E0.70 inch Cook IL Trained Spotter Dime size hail near Welland and Apatakisic Roads. 0749 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 SE Batavia 41.82N 88.27W 02/27/2024 M54 MPH Kane IL Public Private weather station KILAUROR58 reported 54 mph gust east of North Aurora. 0749 PM Hail 3 SSE Naperville 41.73N 88.12W 02/27/2024 M1.00 inch DuPage IL NWS Employee Quarter sized hail near 87th Street and Naper Boulevard in Naperville. Time estimated by radar. 0749 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NW Palatine 42.13N 88.06W 02/27/2024 M82 MPH Cook IL Public Private weather station KILPALAT112 reported 82 mph gust northwest of Palatine. 0750 PM Hail 3 N Plainfield 41.65N 88.20W 02/27/2024 M1.50 inch Will IL NWS Employee 0751 PM Hail 3 WSW Bolingbrook 41.69N 88.13W 02/27/2024 M1.00 inch Will IL Emergency Mngr Will County EMA reported hail up to quarter sized in west Bolingbrook. Time estimated by radar. 0752 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 S Vernon Hills 42.22N 87.96W 02/27/2024 Lake IL Public Social media report and photos of snapped softwood trees. Time estimated by radar. 0753 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 WSW Mettawa 42.24N 87.93W 02/27/2024 Lake IL Public Photo shared via social media showing a large tree snapped along Townline Rd in Mettawa. Time estimated from radar. 0754 PM Hail 2 ESE South Beloit 42.48N 89.00W 02/27/2024 E0.75 inch Winnebago IL Public Report from mPING: Dime (0.75 in.). 0754 PM Hail 1 SW Darien 41.74N 87.99W 02/27/2024 M2.50 inch DuPage IL Trained Spotter Photo shared via social media showing 2.5 inch diameter hailstone on the south side of Downers Grove. Another report of 2 inch diameter hail was also received from the area. Time estimated from radar. 0755 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Libertyville 42.29N 87.95W 02/27/2024 Lake IL Public Photo shared via social media showing fence panels blown over in Libertyville. Time estimated from radar. 0756 PM Hail 3 SSE Naperville 41.73N 88.13W 02/27/2024 E1.00 inch DuPage IL Trained Spotter Nickel to quarter size hail near Washington and 87th. 0756 PM Hail 1 W Northlake 41.92N 87.92W 02/27/2024 E0.88 inch Cook IL Public Public report of hail up to nickel size near I-294 in Northlake. Time estimated by radar. 0757 PM Hail Romeoville 41.64N 88.10W 02/27/2024 M1.75 inch Will IL Public Photo shared via broadcast media showed golf ball sized hail in north Romeoville. Time estimated by radar. 0757 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 W Lake Forest 42.25N 87.89W 02/27/2024 Lake IL Public Photo shared of a tree downed onto a road at Lake Forest Academy. Time estimated from radar. 0800 PM Hail 2 ESE Woodridge 41.75N 88.01W 02/27/2024 E2.00 inch DuPage IL Public Photo shared via social media shows hail up to hen egg size between Downers Grove and Darien. Time estimated by radar. 0800 PM Hail 1 S Downers Grove 41.77N 88.01W 02/27/2024 E1.00 inch DuPage IL NWS Employee Quarter sized hail reported in south Downers Grove. 0801 PM Hail 1 E Bolingbrook 41.70N 88.05W 02/27/2024 E1.25 inch Will IL Public Public report of half dollar sized hail in eastern Bolingbrook. Time estimated by radar. 0806 PM Hail 2 SW Darien 41.73N 88.01W 02/27/2024 E1.75 inch DuPage IL Public Relayed via mPING. Time estimated by radar. 0809 PM Hail 1 E Lockport 41.59N 88.04W 02/27/2024 M1.00 inch Will IL NWS Employee NWS employee observed quarter sized hail in Lockport. Time estimated by radar. 0809 PM Hail Darien 41.76N 87.98W 02/27/2024 E1.75 inch DuPage IL Public Relayed via mPING. Time estimated by radar. 0810 PM Hail La Grange Park 41.83N 87.87W 02/27/2024 M1.00 inch Cook IL Public Relayed via mPING. Time estimated by radar. 0811 PM Hail Lockport 41.59N 88.06W 02/27/2024 E1.00 inch Will IL Public 0812 PM Hail Homer Glen 41.60N 87.94W 02/27/2024 E1.00 inch Will IL Public 0813 PM Hail 3 ESE Lemont 41.65N 87.95W 02/27/2024 E1.00 inch Cook IL Public Relayed via mPING. Time estimated by radar. 0819 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Lakeview - Chicago 41.94N 87.65W 02/27/2024 M51 MPH Cook IL Public Private weather station KILCHICA914 reported 51 mph gust in Lake View area of Chicago. 0824 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNW Chicago Loop 41.90N 87.64W 02/27/2024 M50 MPH Cook IL Public Private weather station reported 50 mph gust in Near North Side area of Chicago. 0826 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Harrison Dever Crib 41.91N 87.57W 02/27/2024 M55 MPH LMZ741 IL C-Man Station Measured peak gust to 48 knots. 0830 PM Hail 3.0 SW Midway Airport 41.74N 87.78W 02/27/2024 M1.00 inch Cook IL CO-OP Observer Quarter size hail from 830pm to 835pm. Peak wind 41 mph. 0836 PM Hail 1 W Oak Lawn 41.72N 87.77W 02/27/2024 E1.00 inch Cook IL Public Relayed via mPING. Time estimated by radar. 0836 PM Hail 1 W Oak Lawn 41.72N 87.77W 02/27/2024 E1.50 inch Cook IL Public Relayed via mPING. Time estimated by radar. 0837 PM Hail 1 ENE Orland Hills 41.60N 87.83W 02/27/2024 E1.25 inch Cook IL Public Photo relayed by Kane County EMA shows hail approximately half dollar sized near 162nd Street and 88th Avenue in Orland Park. Time estimated by radar. 0844 PM Hail 1 NNW Oak Forest 41.61N 87.75W 02/27/2024 M2.00 inch Cook IL Emergency Mngr Time estimated from radar. 0845 PM Hail 1 NW Oak Forest 41.61N 87.75W 02/27/2024 M1.50 inch Cook IL Trained Spotter Trained spotter reports hail up to ping pong ball sized near 155th and Long Avenue in Oak Forest. Hail occurred from 840pm to 852pm. 0846 PM Hail 1 WNW Midlothian 41.63N 87.73W 02/27/2024 E1.50 inch Cook IL Public Relayed via mPING. Time estimated by radar. 0852 PM Hail South Holland 41.60N 87.61W 02/27/2024 M1.00 inch Cook IL Public Photo shared via social media showing 1 inch diameter hail in South Holland. Time estimated from radar. 0854 PM Hail Hegewisch - Chicago 41.65N 87.54W 02/27/2024 E1.75 inch Cook IL Public Photo shared via social media showing hail in the Hegewisch community area of Chicago with the largest hailstone appearing to be roughly the size of a golf ball. Time estimated from radar. 0914 PM Flood 1 S South Lawndale - Ch 41.83N 87.71W 02/27/2024 Cook IL NWS Employee Multiple lanes of I-55 flooded east of Pulaski Road. 0918 PM Waterspout 3 NE Gary 41.63N 87.30W 02/27/2024 LMZ744 IN Emergency Mngr Photo relayed from EM official showing a waterspout near Gary. |
Photos
Tornado south of Hinckley, IL. Photo courtesy of Alex Resel. | Tornado south of Hinckley, IL. Photo courtesy of Ethan Mok. | Funnel cloud east of Sublette, IL. Photo courtesy of Matthew Porcelli. |
The Gary, IN tornado. Photo courtesy of Norman Smith. | The Gary, IN tornado. Photo courtesy of Twitter/X user @SpaceSim2. | Tornado damage in Gary, IN. Photo courtesy of Paul Goddard. |
Hail in Hegewisch, Chicago. Photo courtesy of Eri Marie Soria. | Hail in Plainfield, IL. Photo taken by NWS Chicago meteorologist Jake Petr. | Hail in Lockport, IL. Photo taken by NWS Chicago meteorologist Kevin Doom. |
Tornado damage south of Hinckley, IL. Photo from NWS damage survey. | Tornado damage at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, IL. Photo from NWS damage survey. | Tornado damage northwest of North Aurora, IL. Photo from NWS damage survey. |
Tornado damage in Geneva, IL. Photo from NWS damage survey. | Tornado damage in Hoffman Estates, IL. Photo from NWS damage survey. | Tornado damage in Mundelein, IL. Photo from NWS damage survey. |
Radar
Radar loop courtesy of the Iowa Environmental Mesonet |
Meteorology and Environment
|
||
Hand-analyzed surface map at 3 PM CST. Even though computers can do this automatically, many meteorologists still like to analyze surface charts manually as it helps us focus and find subtle boundaries and features important to severe weather. | Special vertical sounding from Lincoln, Illinois from 4 PM CST. Surface fields have been adjusted based on nearby observations. This plot shows significant potential energy in the upper levels of the atmosphere, along with very strong wind shear, all conducive for severe thunderstorms capable of producing very large hail. | A time series of how winds changed with height as sampled by the KLOT radar. Wind shear in the low levels increased rapidly between 5 and 8 PM CST, creating an environment that was increasingly favorable for tornado development. |
SPC mesoanalysis image of effective bulk shear (change of wind direction and speed with height) and mixed-layer CAPE (potential energy for storms). The values in northern Illinois and northwest Indiana are all highly conducive for rotating, severe thunderstorms. | SPC mesoanalysis image of the "Effective Significant Tornado Parameter". Values of 2 to 5 are very high for this area and show an environment supportive of tornadoes. One factor that likely limited the intensity of tornadoes was a bit of "convective inhibition" (shading), which limits a thunderstorm's ability to draw in unstable air at the ground -- a key factor in tornado development. | SPC mesoanalysis image of low-level lapse rates (change of temperature) and energy potential in the low-levels. Higher values of each generally signify a greater potential for intense thunderstorms and tornadoes. |
Media use of NWS Web News Stories is encouraged! Please acknowledge the NWS as the source of any news information accessed from this site. Additional recaps can be found on the NWS Chicago Past Events Page |