Chicago, IL

Weather Forecast Office

December 28, 2025: Rare December Severe Weather Outbreak With Multiple Tornadoes in Central Illinois

Event Summary Graphic

Overview
Tornadoes
Storm Reports
Winds
Rainfall/Snowfall
Photos
Meteorology/Environment
Additional Info

Overview

A strong and deepening low pressure system tracked across the Great Lakes on Sunday, December 28th, bringing a variety of weather impacts to the region.

In the local area, dense fog and two rounds of thunderstorms were observed during the daytime on the 28th, followed by strong winds and wind-whipped snow showers during the nighttime into the 29th.

The first round of storms occurred during the morning near and south of I-80. One thunderstorm intensified enough to become severe and produce a strong microburst near Fairbury and into Forrest, IL in southern Livingston County. A few instances of mostly minor flooding were also observed, particularly within a narrow corridor of northwest Indiana where 2-4" rainfall totals were observed.

The second round of storms occurred during the mid-late afternoon south of I-80, where temperatures warmed into the 60s just before a strong cold front moved across the area. These storms produced a total of 6 tornadoes in the NWS Chicago forecast area:
- EF-1 tornado on the northwest side of Pontiac, IL in Livingston County
- EF-0 tornado west of Clifton, IL in northwestern Iroquois County
- EF-0 tornado south of Gibson City, IL in Ford County
- EF-1 tornado between Clifton and St. Anne, IL in northern Iroquois County
- EF-0 tornado northeast of Clifton, IL in northern Iroquois County
- EF-U tornado near Martinton, IL in northeastern Iroquois County

It is very rare for tornadoes to be observed in our area in December. Prior to December 28, 2025, there had only been 5 recorded tornadoes in the NWS Chicago forecast area, the last of which was an EF-0 tornado that occurred in Lake County, IN on December 10, 2021. Official NWS tornado records date back to 1950.
- This was also the latest that any tornadoes have been observed in our forecast area in a calendar year. The previous latest date was December 10th (from the above 2021 severe weather event).

In the state of Illinois, a total of 10 tornadoes were confirmed during this event. Three additional tornadoes were confirmed in the state of Indiana, bringing the regional total for this event to 13.

Behind the strong afternoon cold front, strong westerly winds developed, temperatures plummeted, and snow showers spread into the area. Most of the area saw peak wind gusts between 45 and 60 mph and also picked up anywhere between a dusting and 2 inches of snow from the evening of the 28th through the morning of the 29th.

Tornadoes

Event Summary Graphic

How to Use the Map

NOTE: Times shown below are local to your device's time zone.

Download Data | Instructions

EF-Scale

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

Tornadoes that fail to impact any ratable damage indicators on the EF-Scale are rated EF-Unknown (EF-U)

Storm Reports

Preliminary Map of Storm Reports

Preliminary Storm Report Map

Preliminary National Storm Reports

Interactive Map of Preliminary Storm Reports

Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Chicago IL
813 PM CST Tue Dec 30 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1030 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Fairbury                40.75N 88.52W
12/28/2025                   Livingston         IL   Emergency Mngr   

            Power poles downed. A farm outbuilding also 
            had its roof torn off and sustained siding 
            damage in the Fairbury area. Time estimated 
            from radar. 

1034 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 NNW Forrest           40.76N 88.41W
12/28/2025  E80 MPH          Livingston         IL   NWS Storm Survey 

            An NWS damage survey confirmed that a 
            concentrated area of straight-line winds 
            with estimated peak winds of 80 MPH occurred 
            in and west of Forrest, IL. These strong 
            winds downed power poles and trees, damaged 
            at least one shed, and blew off a portion of 
            the roof of a junior high school gymnasium. 

1034 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 W Forrest             40.75N 88.44W
12/28/2025                   Livingston         IL   Emergency Mngr   

            Power poles downed 1-2 miles west of 
            Forrest. Time estimated from radar. 

1034 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 WNW Forrest           40.76N 88.45W
12/28/2025                   Livingston         IL   Broadcast Media  

            Shed torn off of its foundation, swingset 
            twisted and demolished, and multiple power 
            poles downed on N 2500 East Road west of 
            Forrest. Time estimated from radar. 

1037 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 NNW Forrest           40.76N 88.41W
12/28/2025                   Livingston         IL   Emergency Mngr   

            The roof of Prairie Central Junior High 
            Schools gymnasium was torn off in Forrest. 
            Power poles were also downed in the area. 
            Time estimated from radar. 

1037 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Forrest                 40.75N 88.41W
12/28/2025                   Livingston         IL   CO-OP Observer   

            Several large trees and power poles downed 
            across the north side of Forrest. Time 
            estimated from radar. 

1220 PM     Flood            2 S Portage             41.55N 87.18W
12/28/2025                   Porter             IN   Law Enforcement  

            Part of Willowcreek Road on the south side 
            of Portage flooded with several inches of 
            standing water. Multiple vehicles got stuck 
            in the flood waters. A separate report of 
            flooding was also received from a trained 
            spotter of many roads in central and 
            southern Portage flooded with up to 6-12 
            inches of standing water and many ditches 
            and retention ponds filling and overflowing 
            in the area. 

0253 PM     Tornado          1 WNW Pontiac           40.89N 88.66W
12/28/2025                   Livingston         IL   NWS Storm Survey 

            An NWS damage survey confirmed an EF-1 
            tornado with estimated peak winds of 90 MPH, 
            path length of 0.95 miles, and maximum width 
            of 125 yards impacted a portion of northwest 
            Pontiac, IL, resulting in damage to roofing 
            and siding to multiple houses, apartments, 
            and manufactured homes. 

0254 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Pontiac                 40.89N 88.63W
12/28/2025                   Livingston         IL   Public           

            A large tree limb was downed onto North Mill 
            Street in Pontiac. Time estimated from 
            radar. 

0317 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Cullom                  40.88N 88.27W
12/28/2025                   Livingston         IL   NWS Storm Survey 

            Multiple large tree branches and limbs 
            downed across the east side of Cullom. A 
            video shared via broadcast media also showed 
            a brief burst of strong winds blowing tree 
            debris around. 

0331 PM     Tornado          6 ESE Stelle            40.92N 88.05W
12/28/2025                   Iroquois           IL   NWS Storm Survey 

            An NWS damage survey confirmed an EF-0 
            tornado with estimated peak winds of 80 MPH, 
            path length of 2.64 miles, and maximum width 
            of 100 yards impacted rural areas west of 
            Clifton, IL, resulting in damage to power 
            poles, farm outbuildings, and the roof of a 
            house. 

0332 PM     Tornado          2 S Gibson City         40.44N 88.38W
12/28/2025                   Ford               IL   NWS Storm Survey 

            Based on eyewitness accounts and an 
            assessment of damage photos provided to the 
            NWS by the Ford County EMA and local 
            broadcast media, it has been confirmed that 
            a brief EF-0 tornado with estimated peak 
            winds of 85 MPH, path length of 0.85 miles, 
            and maximum width of 20 yards impacted the 
            GDM facility south of Gibson City, peeling a 
            portion of the metal roof off of a building 
            there. No additional damage appeared to be 
            caused by this tornado. 

0340 PM     Tornado          2 E Clifton             40.94N 87.90W
12/28/2025                   Iroquois           IL   NWS Storm Survey 

            An NWS damage survey confirmed an EF-1 
            tornado with estimated peak winds of 95 MPH, 
            path length of 9.53 miles, and maximum width 
            of 150 yards impacted rural areas between 
            Clifton and St. Anne, IL, causing damage to 
            homes, barns, and several large trees, and 
            also knocking over an irrigation pivot. 

0341 PM     Tornado          2 SSE Chebanse          40.97N 87.89W
12/28/2025                   Iroquois           IL   NWS Storm Survey 

            An NWS damage survey confirmed an EF-0 
            tornado with estimated peak winds of 85 MPH, 
            path length of 3.35 miles, and maximum width 
            of 75 yards impacted rural areas northeast 
            of Clifton, IL, resulting in damage to a 
            home and multiple farm outbuildings. 

0353 PM     Tornado          2 WSW Martinton         40.90N 87.77W
12/28/2025                   Iroquois           IL   Trained Spotter  

            Video footage and photos taken by storm 
            spotters and storm chasers show that a 
            funnel cloud was intermittently in contact 
            with the ground as it tracked across open 
            farm fields south of Martinton, IL. The 
            tornado did not cause any known damage, and 
            thus, has been assigned the EF-U rating. 

0406 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     5 NE Donovan            40.93N 87.54W
12/28/2025                   Iroquois           IL   Trained Spotter  

            Tree downed near the intersection of E 2880 
            North Rd. and N 3100 East Rd.

Rainfall/Snowfall

Rainfall Map/Graphic

Map of Approximate Rainfall Totals

CoCoRaHS Precipitation Summary
National Weather Service Chicago IL
914 AM CST Mon Dec 29 2025

24-hour CoCoRaHS precipitation reports ending between 6 AM and 9 AM
local time. These reports are considered supplemental and unofficial.

.B LOT 1229 C DH07/PP/SF/SD/SW
:
:
:Illinois CoCoRaHS Precipitation Reports
:
:                                                Snow  Snow   Water
:                                         Pcpn   Fall  Depth  Equiv
:
IL-WL-149  : Bult Field-Monee 4.9 SE   :  2.35 /  0.5 /  0.5 /   MM
IL-WL-46   : Peotone 0.4 ENE           :  2.29 /  1.1 /  1.0 /   MM
IL-WL-25   : Crete 2.6 E               :  1.96 /  0.9 /  1.0 /   MM
IL-LV-28   : Dwight 2.3 SSE            :  1.87 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-LS-01   : Ottawa 1.3 NW             :  1.45 /  0.2 /  0.2 / 0.01
IL-WL-136  : Crete 3.3 ENE Franktuary  :  1.44 /  0.5 /  0.5 /   MM
IL-CK-64   : Homewood 0.1 ESE          :  1.42 /  1.0 /  1.0 / 0.04
IL-KD-34   : Plainfield 4.8 SW         :  1.39 /  1.5 /  1.5 /   MM
IL-GY-01   : Carbon Hill 3.1 N         :  1.35 /  0.3 /  0.5 /   MM
IL-CK-148  : Oak Lawn 1.9 SE           :  1.35 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-DP-198  : Woodridge 0.3 SW          :  1.33 /  0.2 /   MM /   MM
IL-GY-16   : Morris 6.4 ESE            :  1.31 /  0.5 /  0.5 / 0.04
IL-WL-51   : Plainfield 2.4 SSE        :  1.28 /  1.7 /   MM /   MM
IL-CK-455  : Hometown 0.3 S            :  1.28 /  1.0 /  1.0 /   MM
IL-WL-165  : Frankfort 1.3 ESE         :  1.27 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-WL-131  : Homer Glen 0.7 NNE        :  1.26 /  1.8 /  1.8 / 0.07
IL-WL-171  : Plainfield 1.7 WNW        :  1.26 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-CK-50   : Palos Park 1.3 SW         :  1.25 /  1.8 /  1.8 /   MM
IL-WL-63   : New Lenox 1.8 SE          :  1.24 /  2.0 /   MM /   MM
IL-KD-126  : Oswego 1.1 ESE            :  1.22 /  2.0 /  2.0 / 0.12
IL-LK-81   : Lake Villa 2.3 WSW        :  1.22 /  0.1 /  0.1 / 0.01
IL-CK-390  : Alsip 0.9 E               :  1.22 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-WL-73   : Wilmington 2.6 SE         :  1.19 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-KD-127  : Oswego 1.7 WSW            :  1.18 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-LK-42   : Gurnee 1.6 W              :  1.17 /  0.1 /  0.1 / 0.01
IL-DK-28   : De Kalb 0.7 SW            :  1.16 /  1.3 /  1.0 /   MM
IL-BN-19   : Belvidere 5.0 NNW         :  1.15 /  1.0 /  1.0 / 0.06
IL-CK-74   : Oak Park 1.3 NNE          :  1.15 /  1.0 /   MM /   MM
IL-DP-16   : Aurora 3.6 SE             :  1.15 /  1.0 /  1.0 / 0.08
IL-KN-115  : Aurora 3.5 ESE            :  1.15 /  1.0 /   MM /   MM
IL-DP-178  : Villa Park 0.8 ESE        :  1.15 /  0.2 /  0.2 / 0.01
IL-IR-14   : Watseka 6.9 WNW           :  1.14 /    T /    T /   MM
IL-MCH-103 : Harvard 4.4 NNE           :  1.13 /  2.0 /  2.0 / 0.12
IL-MCH-107 : Crystal Lake 3.9 WNW      :  1.11 /  1.5 /  1.5 /   MM
IL-MCH-43  : Algonquin 0.7 N           :  1.11 /  1.0 /  1.0 /   MM
IL-MCH-83  : Crystal Lake 1.0 WSW      :  1.11 /  1.0 /  1.0 /   MM
IL-GY-38   : Dwight 2.2 NNW            :  1.11 /    T /    T /    T
IL-MCH-118 : Cary 0.9 W                :  1.11 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-IR-29   : Donovan 5.8 SE            :  1.10 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-KN-140  : Algonquin 1.3 SE          :  1.10 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-BN-14   : Capron 0.1 N              :  1.07 /  1.5 /  1.5 / 0.09
IL-MCH-95  : Cary 0.5 SSW              :  1.07 /  0.8 /  0.8 /   MM
IL-CK-149  : Oak Lawn 0.5 SSW          :  1.06 /  1.5 /  1.5 / 0.03
IL-GY-28   : Morris 1.5 SW             :  1.06 /  0.3 /   MM /   MM
IL-DP-38   : Elmhurst 0.4 SW           :  1.02 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-LK-74   : Mundelein 1.6 WNW         :  1.02 /   MM /  1.0 /   MM
IL-MCH-87  : Marengo 0.7 NNE           :  1.01 /  0.7 /   MM /   MM
IL-CK-94   : Lincolnwood 1.8 E         :  1.01 /  0.6 /  0.5 /   MM
IL-WL-147  : New Lenox 2.0 ESE         :  0.99 /  1.2 /   MM /   MM
IL-DP-109  : Elmhurst 0.8 ESE          :  0.99 /  1.0 /  1.0 / 0.03
IL-KN-95   : Elgin 2.5 W               :  0.99 /  0.5 /  0.5 /   MM
IL-CK-214  : Rogers Park 1.5 SW        :  0.97 /  1.0 /  1.0 /   MM
IL-KN-134  : Maple Park 3.9 S          :  0.96 /  0.3 /  0.3 / 0.03
IL-CK-12   : Bridgeview 1.3 NNW        :  0.95 /  0.5 /  0.5 /   MM
IL-MCH-13  : Bull Valley 2.5 WNW       :  0.95 /  0.5 /  0.5 /   MM
IL-MCH-33  : Woodstock 3.8 SW          :  0.94 /  0.5 /   MM /   MM
IL-GY-37   : Mazon 2.4 SE              :  0.94 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-LE-22   : Amboy 0.5 SSW             :  0.93 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-KD-157  : Yorkville 4.5 N           :  0.92 /  0.5 /  0.5 /   MM
IL-KN-33   : North Aurora 1.5 NE       :  0.91 /  0.5 /  0.5 /   MM
IL-KN-23   : Batavia 1.5 WNW           :  0.90 /  1.5 /  1.5 /   MM
IL-LE-10   : Dixon 3.0 NNW             :  0.89 /  1.2 /  1.2 /   MM
IL-KN-153  : South Elgin 3.1 WSW       :  0.89 /  0.9 /  0.9 /   MM
IL-CK-285  : Harwood Heights 0.4 NNE   :  0.88 /  3.7 /  3.5 /   MM
IL-LE-08   : Ashton 0.4 SSW            :  0.88 /  0.3 /  0.3 / 0.05
IL-KN-121  : Geneva 1.3 NW             :  0.87 /  1.0 /  1.0 /   MM
IL-DP-157  : West Chicago 3.5 NNE      :  0.87 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-KN-04   : Sugar Grove 0.7 NE        :  0.87 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-CK-278  : Hoffman Estates 1.6 SE    :  0.86 /    T /   MM /   MM
IL-CK-131  : Schaumburg 2.0 E          :  0.85 /  0.7 /  0.5 / 0.05
IL-CK-345  : Franklin Park 0.5 SSE     :  0.85 /  0.5 /   MM /   MM
IL-CK-346  : Palatine 1.2 NW           :  0.85 /  0.5 /  0.5 /   MM
IL-GY-21   : Coal City 2.8 N           :  0.85 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-KN-67   : St. Charles 6.0 NW        :  0.84 /  1.1 /  1.0 / 0.06
IL-LK-16   : Buffalo Grove 1.5 N       :  0.84 /  1.1 /  1.0 /   MM
IL-DP-177  : Winfield 0.8 ENE          :  0.84 /  1.0 /   MM /   MM
IL-KK-39   : Herscher 3.3 E            :  0.84 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-WN-40   : Rockford 4.5 WSW          :  0.82 /  0.5 /   MM /   MM
IL-DK-29   : Earlville 4.8 NNE         :  0.82 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-DP-150  : Bloomingdale 1.2 ESE      :  0.82 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-LK-128  : Lake Forest 2.0 WSW       :  0.82 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-DP-132  : Wheaton 2.0 NNE           :  0.81 /  1.0 /  1.0 /   MM
IL-DK-05   : Cortland 0.3 SSW          :  0.81 /  0.3 /  0.3 / 0.01
IL-DP-187  : Lombard 0.2 N             :  0.81 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-LV-21   : Chatsworth 1.2 S          :  0.81 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-KN-128  : Batavia 3.4 WSW           :  0.80 /  0.7 /  1.0 /   MM
IL-CK-326  : Morton Grove 1.2 WNW      :  0.80 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-GY-20   : Morris 2.5 SSE            :  0.79 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-KK-45   : Kankakee 1.4 WSW          :  0.78 /  1.0 /  1.0 /   MM
IL-WN-41   : South Beloit 1.5 ESE      :  0.77 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-CK-460  : Wheeling 1.0 NW           :  0.73 /  0.9 /  1.0 /   MM
IL-KN-123  : Aurora 2.8 WSW            :  0.71 /  1.5 /   MM /   MM
IL-CK-75   : Elk Grove Village 2.2 WSW :  0.70 /  0.5 /  0.5 /   MM
IL-CK-367  : Mount Prospect 0.2 NNE    :  0.69 /  0.5 /  0.5 /   MM
IL-OG-16   : Rochelle 5.1 WNW          :  0.68 /  0.5 /  0.5 /   MM
IL-KN-132  : Batavia 0.3 SE            :  0.67 /  0.9 /   MM /   MM
IL-LS-76   : Grand Ridge 0.2 SSW       :  0.67 /  0.2 /   MM /   MM
IL-LK-39   : Riverwoods 0.4 ENE        :  0.63 /  0.5 /  0.5 /   MM
IL-CK-121  : Palatine 1.3 E            :  0.58 /  0.5 /  0.5 /   MM
IL-CK-456  : Hoffman Estates 4.2 W     :  0.55 /   MM /  0.0 / 0.00
IL-WL-159  : New Lenox 2.1 S           :  0.55 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-LK-136  : Highland Park 1.1 N       :  0.50 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-KN-118  : Sleepy Hollow 0.7 W       :  0.31 /  0.9 /  1.0 / 0.04
IL-IR-26   : Buckley 4.0 ENE           :  0.21 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-FD-09   : Gibson City 3.0 WNW       :  0.12 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IL-CK-152  : Chicago Ridge 0.2 WSW     :    MM /  2.2 /  2.2 /   MM
IL-LK-54   : Mundelein 0.5 NNE         :    MM /  0.2 /   MM /   MM
:
:
:Indiana CoCoRaHS Precipitation Reports
:
:                                                Snow  Snow   Water
:                                         Pcpn   Fall  Depth  Equiv
:
IN-PT-80   : Portage 2.8 E             :  3.98 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IN-LK-46   : St. John 0.2 WSW          :  3.51 /  0.4 /  0.5 /   MM
IN-LK-67   : Schererville 1.1 E        :  3.33 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IN-LK-127  : Merrillville 1.4 S        :  2.95 /    T /    T /    T
IN-PT-69   : Porter 0.6 S              :  2.74 /  0.8 /   MM /   MM
IN-PT-157  : Portage 2.4 NNW           :  2.35 /  0.1 /  0.1 /   MM
IN-PT-98   : Valparaiso 0.9 NNW        :  1.56 /  0.2 /  0.0 /   MM
IN-PT-180  : Valparaiso 2.7 ENE        :  1.44 /   MM /   MM /   MM
IN-PT-03   : Valparaiso 2.0 WSW        :  1.40 /  0.2 /  0.2 /    T
IN-JS-07   : Rensselaer 1.9 SSW        :  1.37 /    T /   MM /   MM
IN-LK-89   : Hammond 0.6 SSW           :  1.26 /  0.2 /   MM /   MM
IN-PT-117  : Valparaiso 5.5 SSW        :  1.22 /    T /   MM /   MM
IN-LK-15   : Dyer 1.0 WNW              :  1.20 /  1.3 /  1.5 /   MM
IN-NW-01   : Mount Ayr 1.6 NNE         :  0.95 /  0.2 /  0.2 /   MM
IN-JS-37   : De Motte 0.8 NNW          :  0.87 /  0.5 /  0.5 /   MM
IN-JS-31   : De Motte 5.9 S            :  0.85 /    T /   MM /   MM
IN-JS-47   : Remington 0.3 N           :  0.25 /    T /    T /   MM
IN-BT-11   : Earl Park 5.0 NW          :  0.12 /   MM /   MM /   MM
.END

$$

Non-Thunderstorm Winds

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Chicago IL
1011 AM CST Mon Dec 29 2025

...Peak Wind Gusts Since the Afternoon of 12/28/25...

Location                     Speed     Time/Date       Lat/Lon
Michigan City Light          66 MPH    0220 AM 12/29   41.73N/86.91W
Sugar Grove - Aurora Arpt.   60 MPH    1246 AM 12/29   41.77N/88.48W
Harrison-Dever Crib          59 MPH    0300 AM 12/29   41.92N/87.57W
Valparaiso Airport           56 MPH    0203 AM 12/29   41.45N/87.00W
West Chicago - DuPage Arpt.  55 MPH    0140 AM 12/29   41.92N/88.25W
Pontiac Airport              54 MPH    1255 AM 12/29   40.92N/88.62W
Chicago OHare                53 MPH    0303 AM 12/29   41.98N/87.90W
Peru Airport                 53 MPH    0515 AM 12/29   41.35N/89.15W
Montrose Beach Light         53 MPH    0316 AM 12/29   41.97N/87.63W
Waukegan Airport             52 MPH    1200 AM 12/29   42.42N/87.87W
Gary Airport                 51 MPH    0550 AM 12/29   41.62N/87.42W
Morris Airport               49 MPH    1055 PM 12/28   41.43N/88.42W
Kankakee Airport             49 MPH    1255 AM 12/29   41.07N/87.85W
Chicago Midway               49 MPH    0344 AM 12/29   41.78N/87.76W
Lansing Airport              48 MPH    0235 AM 12/29   41.53N/87.53W
Romeoville - Lewis Airport   47 MPH    0115 AM 12/29   41.60N/88.10W
Wheeling-Chicago Exec. Arpt. 46 MPH    1206 AM 12/29   42.12N/87.90W
Rockford Airport             45 MPH    0705 PM 12/28   42.20N/89.10W

Observations are collected from a variety of sources with varying
equipment and exposures. Not all data listed are considered official.

$$

Photos


Prairie Central Junior High School in Forrest, IL. Photo courtesy of Bruce Sanders.	South of Gibson City, IL. Photo courtesy of the Ford County EMA.	Martinton, IL tornado. Photo taken by NWS Chicago meteorologist Brett Borchardt.

Pontiac, IL. Photo from NWS damage survey.	Northeast of Clifton, IL. Photo from NWS damage survey.	Northeast of Clifton, IL. Photo from NWS damage survey.

Meteorology and Environment


Effective deep layer wind shear (change of wind speed and direction). Values over 50 knots were supportive of mid-level updraft rotation.	Low-level (0-3 km) instability. Values near 50 J/kg sufficient for low-level updraft intensification.	Significant tornado parameter. Values near 0.5 indicate an airmass supportive of storm rotation and brief tornadoes.

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