"February Pitched a Fit!
February in Illinois is usually a bitter cold month with lots of snow. However, February 2024 has been setting weather records all month, with two days left to surprise us some more!
In Chicago's history there have only been 3 tornadoes during February in the past 74 years, until February 27th, 2024, when up to six may have touched down, but still need to be *officially confirmed! (See update below.)
The day-time temperature on February 27th, reached 74 degrees Fahrenheit, missing the 1976 record of 75 degrees F. Then late in the evening, a cold front moved in, dropping the temperature over 50 degrees, bringing severe thunderstorms that included wind gusts of up to 85 mph, dangerous lighting, hail measuring up to 1.75 inches in circumference, and in some areas damaging tornadoes that took down trees and ripped apart homes and property.
In our suburb, we had winds of approximately 35-40 mph, 1-inch hail, drenching rain, and spectacular lightning.
I had the best luck ever at capturing some lightning bolts and the wild flashes in the clouds, from my front porch!
For reference, the historical temperature in February ranges from -17 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average of 35 degrees F. The typical rainfall is 2.06 inches, and 8.22 inches of snowfall.
*Update on February 29, 2024, it was confirmed that 11 tornadoes touched down in the Chicagoland area!
"February Pitched a Fit!
February in Illinois is usually a bitter cold month with lots of snow. However, February 2024 has been setting weather records all month, with two days left to surprise us some more!
In Chicago's history there have only been 3 tornadoes during February in the past 74 years, until February 27th, 2024, when up to six may have touched down, but still need to be *officially confirmed! (See update below.)
The day-time temperature on February 27th, reached 74 degrees Fahrenheit, missing the 1976 record of 75 degrees F. Then late in the evening, a cold front moved in, dropping the temperature over 50 degrees, bringing severe thunderstorms that included wind gusts of up to 85 mph, dangerous lighting, hail measuring up to 1.75 inches in circumference, and in some areas damaging tornadoes that took down trees and ripped apart homes and property.
In our suburb, we had winds of approximately 35-40 mph, 1-inch hail, drenching rain, and spectacular lightning.
I had the best luck ever at capturing some lightning bolts and the wild flashes in the clouds, from my front porch!
For reference, the historical temperature in February ranges from -17 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average of 35 degrees F. The typical rainfall is 2.06 inches, and 8.22 inches of snowfall.
*Update on February 29, 2024, it was confirmed that 11 tornadoes touched down in the Chicagoland area!