Hail and extreme weather in the forecast for Chicago: When was the last time a tornado touched down in the city?

Severe storms are moving across the Chicago area, with several severe weather warnings being issued by the National Weather Service (NWS). Tornado Watch alerts are included in the long list of alerts, leading some to wonder when the last tornado touched the group in the Windy City. In July 2023, a tornado was spotted at Chicago’s Ohare International Airport and was only one of nearly a dozen spotted across the metro area.

The NWS has investigated the strongest tornados to affect the city and the surrounding areas. The deadliest took place on 21 April 1967 and claimed the lives of thirty-three people and injured 500 more as it moved from “Palos Hills in Cook County and traveled through Oak Lawn and the south side of Chicago.” A total of $50 million in damages was reported. However, the strongest strike occurred in August 1990 and “passed through Plainfield, Crest Hill, and Joliet,” killing twenty-nine people, injuring 350, and leaving $165 million in damages in its path.

Which counties are under a Tornado Watch?

The severe weather storm warning issued for the Quad Cities area at 4 pm CST on 27 February reads that residents should be prepared for hail as large as two inches in diameter, with the chance of tornados increasing after 6 pm CST. “Continue to monitor weather conditions, have multiple ways to receive warnings, and go indoors if storms approach,” warned the NWS.

A Tornado Watch, which the NWS issues “when severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area.” A severe thunderstorm has its own definition, which includes “winds of 58 mph or higher and/or hail 1 inch in diameter or larger.”

This type of alert has been issued for counties across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

No Tornado Warnings have been issued, meaning that there have been no tornados spotted.