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The 22 tornadoes confirmed within the NWS Chicago forecast area |
(Click to enlarge loop) Loop of GOES-16 "mid-level" water vapor imagery between approximately 3:00 and 9:30 PM CDT March 31, 2023. |
Fast Facts
Tornadoes
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The 22 confirmed tornadoes in the NWS Chicago forecast area Downloadable KMZ File with All Tornado Tracks Downloadable Shapefile with All Tornado Tracks
Graphics and GIS data for each individual tornado can be found below. Additional information on each of these tornadoes can be found in this Public Information Statement*. *Note: Since the issuance of the linked Public Information Statement, the Caledonia, IL to Delavan Lake, WI tornado has since been split into two separate tornado tracks: an EF-1 tornado that started near Caledonia, IL and ended northeast of Sharon, WI (tornado #9 below) and an EF-0 tornado that started east of Sharon just north of the Illinois/Wisconsin state line and ended on the north side of Delavan Lake, WI.
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1.) Pontiac, IL Area: EF-U
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2.) Deer Grove, IL Area: EF-1
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3.) Lanark - Baileyville, IL: EF-1
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4.) Woodhaven Lakes Campground/Amboy, IL Area: EF-2
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5.) Sublette - West Brooklyn, IL: EF-1
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6.) Davis Junction - Belvidere, IL: EF-1
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7.) Rockford, IL: EF-1
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8.) Machesney Park - Roscoe, IL: EF-1
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9.) Caledonia, IL - Sharon, WI: EF-1
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10.) Montgomery - Aurora, IL: EF-0
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11.) Rankin - Wellington, IL: EF-1
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12.) Batavia, IL: EF-0
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13.) St. Charles, IL: EF-0
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14.) Joliet, IL: EF-0
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15.) Plainfield, IL: EF-0
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16.) Lombard - Addison, IL: EF-1
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17.) Stockland, IL Area: EF-1
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18.) Oxford - Round Grove, IN: EF-2
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19.) Fowler, IN Area: EF-2
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20.) Remington, IN Area: EF-1
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21.) Merrillville - Hobart, IN: EF-1
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22.) Shorewood Forest, IN Area: EF-0
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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 |
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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.
Storm Reports and Photos
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Preliminary storm reports |
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON... ..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE.... ..REMARKS.. 0342 PM Hail 2 S Streator 41.10N 88.83W 03/31/2023 M1.00 inch Livingston IL Trained Spotter 0403 PM Hail Mazon 41.24N 88.42W 03/31/2023 M0.88 inch Grundy IL Trained Spotter Nickel Size Hail. 0405 PM Hail 6 SE Ransom 41.09N 88.57W 03/31/2023 M0.75 inch Livingston IL Public Report from mPING: Dime (0.75 in.). 0405 PM Tornado 5 ESE Cornell 40.96N 88.65W 03/31/2023 Livingston IL Storm Chaser [Delayed Report] Storm chaser video shows a tornado touching down and kicking up dirt in a field before lifting. The tornado, which will be assigned an EF-U rating, appeared to be on the ground for about 10 seconds. 0413 PM Hail 1 SW Kankakee 41.11N 87.88W 03/31/2023 U1.00 inch Kankakee IL Trained Spotter 0414 PM Hail Kankakee 41.12N 87.86W 03/31/2023 M0.50 inch Kankakee IL Public Corrects time of previous hail report from Kankakee. Relayed via social media. 0415 PM Hail 3 SE Channahon 41.40N 88.19W 03/31/2023 M1.00 inch Will IL Public Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.). 0423 PM Hail KANKAKEE 41.12N 87.86W 03/31/2023 M0.50 inch Kankakee IL Public RELAYED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA. 0432 PM Hail 6 SE Beecher 41.28N 87.53W 03/31/2023 M0.75 inch Kankakee IL Public 0446 PM Hail Matteson 41.51N 87.74W 03/31/2023 E1.00 inch Cook IL Trained Spotter 0454 PM Hail Lakes of the Four Seaso 41.41N 87.22W 03/31/2023 M1.00 inch Lake IN Trained Spotter 0454 PM Hail LAKES OF THE FOUR SEASO 41.41N 87.22W 03/31/2023 M1.00 inch Lake IN Trained Spotter . 0455 PM Hail 1 SSE Valparaiso 41.46N 87.05W 03/31/2023 E1.00 inch Porter IN Public Photo shared of hail in Valparaiso with the largest hailstones being approximately quarter sized. 0456 PM Hail 1 NNW Valparaiso 41.48N 87.07W 03/31/2023 M1.00 inch Porter IN Trained Spotter 0503 PM Hail 6 ENE Valparaiso 41.52N 86.95W 03/31/2023 M0.70 inch Porter IN Public 0536 PM Hail Sublette 41.64N 89.23W 03/31/2023 M0.88 inch Lee IL Law Enforcement 0549 PM Flood 1 NE Oak Forest 41.61N 87.74W 03/31/2023 Cook IL Public 1 ft of standing water at the Cicero and 159th St. underpass. 0616 PM Flood Wood Dale 41.96N 87.98W 03/31/2023 DuPage IL Public Social media photo shows at least 1 foot of standing water on residential streets in Wood Dale. 0659 PM Tornado 6 NW Forreston 42.19N 89.65W 03/31/2023 Ogle IL Emergency Mngr Several farm structures destroyed in far northwest Ogle County. Tornado debris signature observed on KDVN radar. 0705 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 6 NNE HARVARD 42.49N 88.55W 03/31/2023 McHenry IL Trained Spotter TREE DAMAGE REPORTED AT ALDEN RD AND STATE LINE RD. 0706 PM Flood Wheaton 41.86N 88.11W 03/31/2023 DuPage IL Public photo shows 1-2 ft of standing water covering residential street and front yard. 0706 PM Flood Wheaton 41.86N 88.11W 03/31/2023 DuPage IL Public photo shows 1-2 ft of standing water covering residential street and front yards. 0708 PM Tornado 3 WNW Sublette 41.66N 89.29W 03/31/2023 Lee IL NWS Storm Survey Corrects previous tornado report from 3 WNW Sublette. NWS survey found this tornado began in the Woodhaven Lakes campground and tracked across U.S. Highway 52 between Amboy and Sublette. This tornado produced substantial and concentrated tree damage along its track, with several dozen large trees snapped and many branches sheared off. Damage was clearly in a convergent pattern. Two trees were downed on one homestead that was basically demolished. Another nearby homestead had a large garage completely destroyed. The tornado gradually waned in intensity as it crossed Shaw Road. 0711 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 SW Amboy 41.66N 89.40W 03/31/2023 Lee IL Public Destoryed barn photo shared by public to social media, time estimated on radar. 0711 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 WNW Amboy 41.72N 89.34W 03/31/2023 Lee IL Emergency Mngr Grain bin damaged at Maplehurst Farms. Time estimated based on radar. 0714 PM Tornado Sublette 41.64N 89.23W 03/31/2023 Lee IL NWS Storm Survey An NWS survey found this tornado appeared to begin just south of Sublette as it crossed U.S. Highway 52, snapping multiple wooden utility poles. This tornado then increased in intensity as it entered the community of West Brooklyn. It downed several large trees, tore the roof of a bank in downtown, and folded an approximately 120 ft tall tower. One of the wooden beams from the roof of the bank was impaled into a garage roof to its north-northeast. This tornado weakened prior to crossing Illinois Highway 251. 0715 PM Flood 1 ENE Des Plaines 42.05N 87.86W 03/31/2023 Cook IL Public Numerous reports of flooded roadways in Park Ridge and Des Plaines. 0715 PM Flash Flood 1 WSW Golf 42.05N 87.80W 03/31/2023 Cook IL Public Numerous public reports of flooded roadways in Morton Grove. 0715 PM Flood 1 ENE Des Plaines 42.05N 87.86W 03/31/2023 Cook IL Public Numerous public reports of flooded roadways in Park Ridge and Des Plaines. 0718 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SW Mendota 41.54N 89.13W 03/31/2023 La Salle IL Emergency Mngr 5 mobile home trailers with their roofs peeled off (trailers are still standing). Heavy duty 6 inch girders/I-beams tossed onto adjacent parking lot at facility across the street. 0719 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Sublette 41.65N 89.23W 03/31/2023 M74 MPH Lee IL Public 0721 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Mendota 41.55N 89.12W 03/31/2023 La Salle IL Emergency Mngr Several trees and power lines downed in Mendota. 0722 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NNW La Salle 41.34N 89.10W 03/31/2023 La Salle IL Emergency Mngr Large tree (diameter around 2 feet) snapped on Maple Road in La Salle. Time estimated based on radar. 0722 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 NE Mendota 41.60N 89.06W 03/31/2023 La Salle IL Trained Spotter Two semis blown over on I-39 northeast of Mendota. 0724 PM Tornado 3 SE Stillman Valley 42.07N 89.15W 03/31/2023 Ogle IL NWS Storm Survey *** 1 FATAL, 40 INJ *** An NWS Damage Survey confirmed an EF-1 tornado with path length of approximately 28 miles, maximum width of 900 yards, and peak winds of 90 to 100 mph moved across northeastern Ogle, southeastern Winnebago, and southern Boone counties. Damage along the path consisted primarily of snapped and uprooted trees, with several farm buildings damaged or destroyed and a theater in Belvidere lost a large section of its upper roof. 0724 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 SW Steward 41.81N 89.08W 03/31/2023 Lee IL Public Photos shared on social media of two grain bins heavily damaged along with 5 large trees either with their trunks snapped or toppled/uprooted. 0724 PM Flash Flood 1 E Northfield 42.10N 87.76W 03/31/2023 Cook IL Public Traffic stopped on I-94 at Winnetka Road underpass due to flooding. Road may be closed in this area. 0725 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Amboy 41.71N 89.33W 03/31/2023 M67 MPH Lee IL Trained Spotter 0725 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Peru 41.33N 89.13W 03/31/2023 La Salle IL Emergency Mngr Power poles downed Plank Road near the LaSalle Bureau county border. 0731 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 E Lee 41.79N 88.91W 03/31/2023 De Kalb IL Public [Delayed report] Several outbuildings damaged or destroyed in the Lee and Shabbona areas. Several trees also uprooted. 0734 PM Tornado 2 WNW Loves Park 42.32N 89.11W 03/31/2023 Winnebago IL NWS Storm Survey An NWS Damage Survey confirmed an EF-1 tornado with peak winds estimated near 100 mph, path length of 8.7 miles, and max width of 300 yards impacted Machesney Park. Damage along the path was characterized by snapped and uprooted trees, as well as roof damage to several homes. 0735 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 SSW Rochelle 41.89N 89.08W 03/31/2023 M59 MPH Ogle IL ASOS KRPJ ASOS peak gust. 0735 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Earlville 41.59N 88.92W 03/31/2023 La Salle IL Trained Spotter Several trees down. 0738 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NE Steward 41.86N 89.01W 03/31/2023 E70 MPH Lee IL Trained Spotter [Delayed report] Semi blown over on I-39 near Steward. Spotter estimates 70 mph wind gusts. 0738 PM Tornado 2 SSW Caledonia 42.35N 88.90W 03/31/2023 Boone IL NWS Storm Survey Corrects previous tornado report from 2 SSW Caledonia to provide a rating of EF-1 and a maximum path width of 100 yards. The most extensive damage was to a farm east of Caledonia on IL-173. Numerous outbuildings were destroyed. A silo was heavily damaged and a grain bin collapsed. The rest of the path consisted of tree damage and occasional light damage to farm outbuildings. There were also a few homes near Candlewick Lake southeast of Caledonia that sustained roof and siding damage. The path continued across the WI state line into the area covered by NWS MKX. 0739 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 SSW Paw Paw 41.63N 89.02W 03/31/2023 M83 MPH Lee IL Public NW Earlville private weather station measured north of Meridian. 0741 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NE Somonauk 41.65N 88.67W 03/31/2023 De Kalb IL Public [Delayed report] Several trees downed and garage door blown in. 0741 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 N Leland 41.66N 88.79W 03/31/2023 M75 MPH De Kalb IL Public Private weather station north of Leland. 0742 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 S Rockton 42.44N 89.07W 03/31/2023 Winnebago IL Emergency Mngr Roof damage and trees down in the Bucknell Subdivision near Old River Road and North Main. 0744 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 E Waterman 41.77N 88.71W 03/31/2023 M64 MPH De Kalb IL Public Private weather station recorded 64 mph. 0746 PM Tornado 1 E Caledonia 42.37N 88.87W 03/31/2023 Boone IL Trained Spotter Trained spotter reported tornado illuminated by lightning in the Caledonia and Poplar Grove area. Tornado debris signature observed on KMKX radar. 0747 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 ENE DeKalb 41.94N 88.73W 03/31/2023 M74 MPH De Kalb IL Trained Spotter Tree damage and minor garage roof damage also reported. 0748 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Belvidere 42.26N 88.84W 03/31/2023 Boone IL Emergency Mngr EM reports roof collapse on a building at 104 North State Street. Possible tornado damage. 0753 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 SSE Sugar Grove 41.71N 88.42W 03/31/2023 Kendall IL Public Multiple reports of damage, mainly to trees, in the vicinity of Dickson and Galena Roads. Damage continues ENE towards Montgomery. 0753 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 WNW Sugar Grove 41.77N 88.47W 03/31/2023 M64 MPH Kane IL Public Aurora ASOS measured 64 mph. 0755 PM Tornado 3 WSW Montgomery 41.71N 88.39W 03/31/2023 Kendall IL NWS Storm Survey This tornado began near the intersection of Concord Drive and Columbia Lane in Montgomery and tracked northeast over the Fox River before dissipating near Phillips Park in Aurora. The tornado caused minor damage to an outbuilding shortly after onset, but most of the damage was confined to trees and consistent with wind speeds of 80 mph. There was also evidence of straight line wind damage to trees near the tornado path. 0758 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 WSW North Aurora 41.79N 88.39W 03/31/2023 Kane IL Emergency Mngr Wires downed near Herget Middle School in Aurora. Time estimated from radar. 0758 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 WSW North Aurora 41.80N 88.38W 03/31/2023 Kane IL Trained Spotter Semi blown over on I-88 northwest of Aurora. 0759 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 WNW North Aurora 41.81N 88.34W 03/31/2023 Kane IL Public [Delayed report] Section of metal roof panels removed off of a horse stable. 0800 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Harvard 42.42N 88.62W 03/31/2023 McHenry IL Fire Dept/Rescue Main power pole snapped in half blocking road in the area of 23500 block of Streit Road. 0800 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 NNE Capron 42.45N 88.70W 03/31/2023 McHenry IL Public Strong winds caused damage to a residential corrugated steel garage door. 0800 PM Tornado 1 WSW Batavia 41.84N 88.33W 03/31/2023 Kane IL NWS Storm Survey An NWS damage survey confirmed a brief EF-0 tornado with peak estimated winds near 85 mph, path length of 1.6 miles, and maximum width of 225 yards touched down in Batavia. Damage along the path consisted of snapped tree branches. 0801 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Harvard 42.42N 88.61W 03/31/2023 McHenry IL Emergency Mngr Corrects previous wind damage report from Harvard. Tree damage reported in Harvard. Time estimated from radar. 0801 PM Tornado 1 W St. Charles 41.92N 88.33W 03/31/2023 Kane IL NWS Storm Survey An NWS storm survey confirmed a brief EF-0 tornado with estimated peak winds of 85 mph, path length of 1.7 miles, and maximum width of 150 yards occurred in St. Charles. Damage along the path consisted of downed and uprooted trees and shingle loss to roofs. 0804 PM Tornado 5 E Plattville 41.54N 88.29W 03/31/2023 Kendall IL NWS Storm Survey An NWS Damage Survey determined an EF-0 tornado with path length of approximately 7 miles, max width of 250 yards, and peak winds of 85 mph touched down in eastern Kandall County and lifted in western Will County. Damage along the path of the tornado consisted of tree damage, and numerous homes sustained shingle and soffit damage to roofs. A chimney was collapsed, and windows were blown in at several homes. KLOT radar showed evidence of a tornadic debris signature collocated with a rotational path. 0805 PM Tornado 2 NW Plainfield 41.64N 88.24W 03/31/2023 Will IL NWS Storm Survey This tornado began near W 135th Street just west of Meadow Lane and tracked east northeast before weakening near Illinois Route 59. The damage was confined to primarily trees, but some shingles and siding were removed from homes along the path, consistent with the 80 mph EF-0 rating. 0805 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 6 NNE Harvard 42.49N 88.55W 03/31/2023 McHenry IL Trained Spotter Corrects time of previous wind damage report from 6 NNE Harvard. Tree damage reported at Alden Rd and State Line Rd. 0805 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SE Aurora 41.74N 88.29W 03/31/2023 Kane IL Emergency Mngr Oak tree fell onto the roof of a house in Aurora. Time estimated from radar. 0806 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NW Plainfield 41.63N 88.23W 03/31/2023 M72 MPH Will IL Mesonet Measured at a Davis weather station. Large pine tree downed and multiple air conditioning units blown over near Meadow Lane and 135th St. 0807 PM Flood Monee 41.42N 87.75W 03/31/2023 Will IL Public Streets and Yards with flooding. 0807 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 NW Lakewood 42.25N 88.42W 03/31/2023 McHenry IL Public [Delayed report] Wood and metal roof panels removed from a farm building. Time estimated from radar. 0807 PM Tornado 5 S Claytonville 40.49N 87.82W 03/31/2023 Iroquois IL NWS Storm Survey [This tornado began in WFO ILXs area] A tornado formed over the northwest part of Vermilion County near CR-3800N with the first visible damage of uprooted trees and a nearby shed at CR-3800N and 170E occurring at approximately 7:57pm. There was a consistent path of destruction and indicators, including distinct swirls over roads in a line from 4 SSW Rankin to 1 N Wellington. 0808 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Warrenville 41.81N 88.17W 03/31/2023 DuPage IL Emergency Mngr 2 foot diameter tree toppled and was blocking both lanes of County Road #1/River Road at Townline Road. Time estimated based on radar. 0809 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 N Naperville 41.78N 88.15W 03/31/2023 M64 MPH DuPage IL Public private weather station recorded. 0810 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 NE Channahon 41.47N 88.18W 03/31/2023 Will IL Public Four large elm trees downed. 0810 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 W Woodstock 42.32N 88.49W 03/31/2023 McHenry IL Emergency Mngr Tree downed. Time estimated from radar. 0811 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 WNW Romeoville 41.66N 88.13W 03/31/2023 Will IL Trained Spotter Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 2 WNW Romeoville. I-55 near Weber Road - Semi-Blown over on I-55. 0812 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 NW Greenwood 42.41N 88.41W 03/31/2023 McHenry IL Emergency Mngr Tree downed. Time estimated from radar. 0813 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 NNW Plainfield 41.63N 88.22W 03/31/2023 Will IL Trained Spotter Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 2 NNW Plainfield. 135th St and Rt. 30. Shingles blown off, patio furniture blown up over the house. 0813 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 WNW Joliet 41.53N 88.10W 03/31/2023 M71 MPH Will IL Trained Spotter [Delayed report]. 0814 PM Tstm Wnd Gst NWS Chicago-Romeoville 41.60N 88.08W 03/31/2023 M63 MPH Will IL Official NWS Obs Corrects previous tstm wnd gst report from NWS Chicago-Romeoville. Measured at WFO Chicago-Romeoville, IL. 0815 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Morris Airport 41.44N 88.42W 03/31/2023 M58 MPH Grundy IL AWOS At KC09 Morris Airport AWOS station. 0817 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 WSW Wellington 40.53N 87.71W 03/31/2023 Iroquois IL Emergency Mngr Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 2 WSW Wellington. Tool Shed Tossed and Tree Down. Potential Tornado damage. Time estimated from radar. 0817 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 WSW WELLINGTON 40.53N 87.71W 03/31/2023 Iroquois IL Public TOOL SHED TOSSED AND TREE DOWN. POTENTIAL TORNADO DAMAGE. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. 0817 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 S Wellington 40.53N 87.68W 03/31/2023 Iroquois IL Emergency Mngr Wires Down. Potential Tornado Damage. 0817 PM Tornado 2 N Lombard 41.91N 88.02W 03/31/2023 DuPage IL NWS Storm Survey An NWS storm survey and security camera footage from the Addison Fire Department confirmed that an EF-1 tornado with estimated peak wind speeds of 95 mph touched down on the north side of Lombard before tracking into Addison and lifting as it crossed Fullerton Ave. Damage along this tornados 1.6 mile track included roofing material peeled off of warehouses and office buildings, leaning power poles, and several uprooted trees. 0817 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 W Lemont 41.67N 88.03W 03/31/2023 Cook IL Trained Spotter Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 1 W Lemont. Semi blown over on I-355 on Lemont Bridge crossing of the Desplaines River. 0819 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 NNW Manhattan 41.47N 88.02W 03/31/2023 Will IL Emergency Mngr Barn roof blown off. Time estimated from radar. 0819 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SSE Addison 41.92N 87.98W 03/31/2023 E85 MPH DuPage IL NWS Storm Survey An NWS storm survey confirmed that a swath of damage across the south and east sides of Addison was caused by strong straight-line winds of up to approximately 85 mph. These straight-line winds occurred to the immediate south and east of the EF-1 tornado that tracked from Lombard into Addison. Damage included roofing material peeled off of office buildings and an apartment complex, a semi truck blown over on I-290, and damage to sound barriers along I-290. 0819 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SSE Rolling Meadows 42.06N 88.02W 03/31/2023 Cook IL Public [Delayed report] Power lines downed along Algonquin Rd in Rolling Meadows. Time estimated from radar. 0820 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg West Dundee 42.10N 88.28W 03/31/2023 Kane IL Trained Spotter Approximately 12 inch diameter tree trunk uprooted. Many small to medium size branches also downed in the area. 0820 PM Tornado 3 SSW Stockland 40.57N 87.61W 03/31/2023 Iroquois IL NWS Storm Survey This brief tornado began south of Stockland causing damage to trees, power poles, and lead to the destruction of at least one small farm outbuilding. 0820 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Stockland 40.61N 87.59W 03/31/2023 Iroquois IL Emergency Mngr Wires Down. Potential Tornado Damage. 0820 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 SE Lemont 41.66N 87.98W 03/31/2023 M61 MPH Cook IL Emergency Mngr Measured at Lemont EOC. 0822 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NE McHenry 42.35N 88.26W 03/31/2023 McHenry IL Emergency Mngr Wires downed on Riverside Drive in McHenry. Time estimated from radar. 0824 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 N Mount Prospect 42.08N 87.94W 03/31/2023 Cook IL Trained Spotter [Delayed report] Tree downed on the northeast corner of Rand Road and Elmhurst Road in Mount Prospect. Time estimated from radar. 0828 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Dunning - Chicago 41.94N 87.81W 03/31/2023 Cook IL Public [Delayed report] Tree downed. Time estimated from radar. 0830 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3.0 SW Midway Airport 41.74N 87.78W 03/31/2023 M60 MPH Cook IL CO-OP Observer 0831 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SE Burbank 41.73N 87.76W 03/31/2023 Cook IL Public [Delayed Report] Pine tree uprooted. 0832 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Midway Airport 41.79N 87.75W 03/31/2023 M62 MPH Cook IL ASOS [Delayed report] KMDW ASOS peak gust. 0833 PM Tornado 2 WNW Oxford 40.53N 87.28W 03/31/2023 Benton IN NWS Storm Survey An NWS Damage Survey determined an EF-2 tornado with peak estimated winds near 115 mph, path length of 15.3 miles, and maximum width of 400 yards started near Oxford, Indiana and ended near Round Grove. Damage along the path of the tornado included downed and snapped trees, snapped power poles, and damaged farm buildings. Two homes also sustained significant damage including the removal of a portion of the 2nd floor of a home, and a home removed from its foundation. 0833 PM Tornado 3 S Fowler 40.58N 87.32W 03/31/2023 Benton IN NWS Storm Survey An NWS damage survey confirmed an EF-2 tornado with peak estimated winds of 120 mph, path length of 12.5 miles, and maximum width of 400 yards began south of Fowler and ended in rural northeastern Benton county. Damage along the path of the tornado consisted of snapped and uprooted trees, snapped power poles, and damage to a home. Considerable ground scouring was noted along the path of the tornado. In addition, several wind turbines sustained damage including one that was snapped midway up. The tornado was on the ground at the same time as a neighboring EF-2 tornado a few miles to the south of the path. 0838 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 NE Oxford 40.56N 87.19W 03/31/2023 Benton IN Emergency Mngr Reports of numerous structures damaged along County Road E 330 S from near Atkinson east to the county line. Corner of 2nd floor and nearly entire roof of new construction destroyed. Time estimated. 0840 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Peotone 41.33N 87.79W 03/31/2023 M61 MPH Will IL Trained Spotter 0841 PM Tornado 1 N Wadena 40.71N 87.28W 03/31/2023 Benton IN NWS Storm Survey An NWS damage survey confirmed an EF-1 tornado with estimated peak winds of 105 mph, path length of 10.3 miles, and maximum width of 500 yards touched down east of Earl Park and lifted on the east side of Remington. Damage along the path consisted of snapped power poles, downed and uprooted trees, and damage to small farm outbuildings. 0844 PM Marine Tstm Wind 3 NE Navy Pier 41.92N 87.57W 03/31/2023 M74 MPH LMZ741 IL C-Man Station Measured at the Harrison-Dever Crib. 0846 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Crest Hill 41.55N 88.14W 03/31/2023 Will IL Emergency Mngr Wires down at Theodore and Cedarwood. 0849 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 E Remington 40.77N 87.12W 03/31/2023 Jasper IN Trained Spotter Reports of 6 semis flipped at southbound exit 201 on I-65. Time estimated based on radar. 0850 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 ESE Remington 40.75N 87.12W 03/31/2023 Jasper IN Trained Spotter Structural damage reported at FBi Buildings Inc. Time estimated based on radar. 0853 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NW Lowell 41.30N 87.44W 03/31/2023 M62 MPH Lake IN Public Measured on personal weather station. 0853 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 W Merrillville 41.47N 87.36W 03/31/2023 Lake IN Public Photo of 5 power poles either snapped or leaning due to wind. 0854 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Cedar Lake 41.36N 87.44W 03/31/2023 E60 MPH Lake IN Trained Spotter Penny size hail also. 0856 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Crown Point 41.42N 87.36W 03/31/2023 Lake IN Emergency Mngr Several instances of tree damage reported in Crown Point. Fences also blown down. 0901 PM Tornado 2 SSW Wheeler 41.49N 87.20W 03/31/2023 Porter IN NWS Storm Survey An NWS Damage Survey determined a brief EF-0 tornado with peak winds of 70 mph winds, width of 125 yards, and length of 0.6 miles touched down in Porter county. A grain-auger was blown over and trees were damaged along the short path. Aeriel imagery for the survey was provided by the Porter County EMA. 0901 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Crown Point 41.42N 87.37W 03/31/2023 E70 MPH Lake IN Trained Spotter 129th and Delaware sustained winds 50-55 mph E 65-70 gusts. 0907 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NW Merrillville 41.48N 87.34W 03/31/2023 Lake IN Public 76th and Jackson St area. 6-7 homes with roofs peeled off over garages. Debris scattered and wrapped around trees and poles, and trees down. Potential tornado damage. 0910 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 NE Valparaiso 41.49N 87.04W 03/31/2023 Porter IN Trained Spotter Several trees and power lines downed across the north side of Valparaiso. 0911 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Valparaiso Airport 41.45N 87.01W 03/31/2023 M74 MPH Porter IN ASOS 65 kt gust at KVPZ. 0918 PM Marine Tstm Wind 4 NE Beverly Shores 41.73N 86.93W 03/31/2023 M63 MPH LMZ745 IN C-Man Station Measured at MCYI3. 0919 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 SSW Wheatfield 41.16N 87.08W 03/31/2023 Jasper IN 911 Call Center Tree downed onto road. Time estimated from radar. 0920 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 ENE Fair Oaks 41.09N 87.23W 03/31/2023 Jasper IN Trained Spotter Trees downed east-northeast of Fair Oaks. Time estimated from radar. 0922 PM Tstm Wnd Gst DeMotte 41.19N 87.20W 03/31/2023 M78 MPH Jasper IN Trained Spotter Power poles also downed in the Demotte area. && $$ |
Photos
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| Shelf cloud in northwest Illinois. Photo courtesy of Nina Brady. | Tornado damage in Belvidere, IL. Photo from NWS storm survey. | Tornado damage in Belvidere, IL. Photo from NWS storm survey. |
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| Tornado damage in St. Charles, IL. Photo courtesy of Sara Parker. | Tornado damage in Addison, IL. Photo from NWS storm survey. | Tornado damage in Addison, IL. Photo from NWS storm survey. |
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| Tornado damage in Plainfield, IL. Photo from NWS storm survey. | Tornado damage in Machesney Park, IL. Drone footage courtesy of the Winnebago County EMA. | Tornado damage in Rockford, IL. Drone footage courtesy of the Winnebago County EMA. |
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| Tornado damage in Merrillville, IN. Drone footage courtesy of Paul Goddard. | Tornado damage near Shorewood Forest, IN. Photo courtesy of the Porter County EMA. | Tornado damage northeast of Fowler, IN. Photo from NWS storm survey. |
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| Tornado damage northeast of Oxford, IN. Photo from NWS storm survey. | Tornado damage northeast of Oxford, IN. Drone footage courtesy of the Benton County EMA. | Tornado damage east of Fowler, IN. Drone footage courtesy of Twitter user @shinjix2. |
Radar
MRMS Reflectivity at Lowest Level (RALA) between 3:00 PM and 10:00 PM CDT 3/31/2023.
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Meteorology and Environment
A brief recap of the meteorology behind this severe weather outbreak is discussed in this section.
1. Upper Level Setup
This loop shows a short term model forecast of 500 mb (approximately 20,000 feet up) conditions between 10 am and 10 PM CDT. The color fill depicts 500 mb wind speeds. Note the significant 100+ knot "jet" core which spreads rapidly across Missouri and central and northern Illinois through the afternoon and evening along the southern flanks of a neutral to negatively tilted trough and associated closed low. This is a classic look to the upper-level pattern ahead of big severe weather episodes in our area.
2. Surface Conditions
The loop here shows surface dewpoint temperatures (color fill) and mean sea level pressure (contours). Notice both the deepening surface low which tracks northeast across Iowa and the rapid northward advance of 60+ degree dewpoints (blue-ish color fill) during the afternoon hours.
An NWS Chicago forecaster was staffed as the dedicated "mesoanalyst" during this event. The mesoanalyst is responsible for maintaining situational awareness of mesoscale boundaries, placement of surface lows, fronts, and other features that have the potential to modulate the severe weather potential, along with ensuring this information is relayed to the radar operators (the individuals issuing warnings). Below are examples of hand-drawn surface maps the mesoanalyst created to better identify the placement (and rapid northward advancement) of the surface warm front:
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(Click to enlarge image) Hand-analyzed surface map at 21z (4 PM CDT) on Friday, March 31, 2023. Isodrosotherms (lines of equal dewpoint) at 60 and 63 degrees F are shown (in green), and surface stations gusting over 25 kts are highlighted with orange arrows. |
(Click to enlarge image) Hand-analyzed surface map at 23z (6 PM CDT) on Friday, March 31, 2023. Notice how the warm front has "surged" northward right up to about the I-80 corridor in the past two hours. This set the stage for the second round of widespread severe storms. |
3. Severe Weather Parameters
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(Click to enlarge image) SPC mesoanalysis image (valid at 7 PM CDT) of MLCAPE (a measure of atmospheric instability), MLCIN (stability), and deep layer shear (vectors). Deep layer shear values were very high during this event, at times in excess of 60-70 knots which is very supportive for rotating thunderstorms (supercells). |
(Click to enlarge image) SPC mesoanalysis image (also valid at 7 PM CDT) of the effective Significant Tornado Parameter (eSTP). This is a composite parameter which combines instability, deep layer shear, stability, and low-level shear together in one value. Values increasing over 1 tend to suggest an increased potential for tornadoes. |
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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 |
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