Tornado and Hail in Illinois, February 27, 2024

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
229 PM CST Tue Feb 27 2024

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered thunderstorms 4 to 8 PM, primarily east of the
  Mississippi River, with a likelihood of a supercell mode in
  some of the storms over northern Illinois and a severe weather
  threat (although conditional tornado threat on depth of
  moisture and low-level instability)

- Strong winds gusting over 40 mph this evening and tonight. The
  wind advisory has been expanded to include the rest of the DVN
  CWA until 6am Wednesday.

- Temperatures to plummet tonight into the teens behind the cold
  front. Locations will see temperatures drop more than 10
  degrees in 1 hour after frontal passage. Wind chills to drop
  into the single digits above and below zero.

- Light snow showers after midnight, with amounts under an inch mainly
  on grassy and elevated surfaces. Some brief reductions in
  visibility and slick spots may occur.

- Much colder Wednesday and 1st day below normal in over a week.

&&

.MESOSCALE...
Issued at 149 PM CST Tue Feb 27 2024

The record warmth for the month of February is still on track to
at least provide a window of severe weather potential along and
east of the Mississippi River in our CWA, and in particular
along/north of I-80, late today/early this evening.

The latest 130 PM analysis depicts a 990 mb surface low
near Ottumwa, which has dragged higher surface moisture
northward (24-hour dew point change of 20+ degrees in parts of
west central Illinois!). The western edge of the 55 dew points
is from west of Springfield, IL to Galesburg, IL. As the low
approaches the Quad Cities by 4 PM, it will wrap this moisture
north-northwest. As the low also brings a surface wind
convergence and a pseudo-dry line northeast, and upper level
wind divergence increases (already noted by increasing cirrus
and even accas over eastern Iowa), that surface feature will
likely serve as the initiation area for scattered thunderstorms
near and east to northeast of the Quad Cities during the 4-6 PM
window. Convection-allowing models (CAMs) support this trend.

A failure mode to any storms would be there is not enough
boundary layer moisture (i.e. its only skin layer deep), which
is more of an issue near the Mississippi River in our CWA. Also
that area might see the cold front pass prior to initiation
opportunity. East of there, especially toward Sterling and
Princeton, IL, confidence is higher we would have enough for at
least scattered storms (20-40 percent coverage). The cumulus
clouds on satellite which are as far west as south of Peoria
right now might best show where the line of longitude will be
for storm initiation.

In terms of severe threat, conceptually to the immediate east-
northeast of a low center and on a dryline-like feature arcing
northeastward, supercellular structures would be supported.
Shear magnitude is more than sufficient (deep layer of 45+ kt),
and how persistent of a threat may depend on orientation of the
boundary as it lifts northward and, again, moisture depth. The
helicity values are presently low such as on our VWP, but as the
low-level jet increases ahead of the low late this afternoon,
values are expected to increase to 150-200 m2/s2. The forecast
motion of right-moving supercells today (due east at 30 mph)
would be favorable for some tornado threat in any mature cells
that can develop toward and into north central Illinois. The
most likely severe threat with any mature storms looks to be
hail, given steep 2-6 km lapse rates of 8 C/km aiding updrafts
accelerations and freezing levels below 10 kft. Some significant
severe hail (golf ball size or larger) is possible in this
regime.

So again, confidence in at least some thunderstorms in Illinois
as well as a supercell mode with a hail threat has trended
higher, especially our far eastern CWA. Lower confidence
remains in coverage and whether or not boundary layer moisture,
especially along the western periphery of the cumulus coming
north-northwest in central Illinois, is enough for a localized
tornado threat mainly from near I-80 to a little north of I-88.
For those along and east of the Mississippi River, especially
with outdoor or travel plans, stay aware of the forecast late
today and early this evening.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 224 PM CST Tue Feb 27 2024

Tonight...surface low to be near GBG at 00z Wednesday with the cold
front through most of the CWA. This low will deepen to at least
986mb as it moves into western MI by 06z. A strong pressure gradient
combined with the mix down potential will result in sustained winds
over 25 mph and gusts over 45 mph at times. For this reason, have
expanded the wind advisory to all counties until 12z Wednesday. In
addition, strong CAA will push temps below freezing and bring a
chance of snow showers. Seems Mother Nature wants us to experience
all four seasons in 24 hours!  The largest diurnal range for MLI in
its climate record is 62 degrees in a calendar day on 11/11/1911
from its high of 76 degrees to the low of 14 degrees. We may get
close to this before Midnight. Regarding snow chances, strong
forcing aloft aided by a 160+kt jet will bring a brief 1-2 hr
reduction in visibility during any snow showers. Warm ground and
pavement temps should limit any accumulation to grass and elevated
surfaces. That said, there is a strong fgen signal that will need to
be watched that could bring a localized inch somewhere in the CWA.
Confidence in this is very low but will pass this concern on to the
evening shift. Quite the shock to the system will be seen Wednesday
AM. Wind chills will drop into the single digits above and below
zero.

Wednesday...much colder temperatures and clouds clearing will be
seen during the day. Cold temps aloft (-11 to -13C at 850mb) will
keep highs from reaching freezing for most locations. This will be
the first time we have been this cold since Feb 17th.

&&

.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
Issued at 224 PM CST Tue Feb 27 2024

Wednesday night-Saturday night...quiet and dry weather and a return
to above normal temperatures will be seen to end the very warm
February and going into the beginning of March. Mostly sunny skies
and temperatures reaching the mid to upper 60s is expected.

Sunday into Early Next Week...Another strong low will track into the
northern Plains putting us in the warm sector. Widespread
temperatures in the 70s and strong southerly winds will bring a fire
weather risk to the region. Something that we will continue to
monitor in later forecasts.  A cold front will bring the next chance
of showers and thunderstorms Sunday night into Monday.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 1207 PM CST Tue Feb 27 2024

Very warm conditions continue, with a strong cold front
arriving this evening. Confidence has increased for
thunderstorms to develop near MLI around 23z and have included a
TEMPO in this issuance. Will continue to monitor trends and
provide updates to timing if needed this afternoon. The cold
front will move through from west to east late this
afternoon/early evening through all TAF sites by 28.02z. Very
strong northwest winds gusting over 30kts at times is forecast
along with sharply falling temperatures. MVFR clouds along with
some snow showers will be possible after 06z behind the fropa.
Gusty winds will continue through mid-morning Wednesday.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Issued at 149 PM CST Tue Feb 27 2024

Daily Record Highs for today, February 27th...

Burlington, IA.....72 in 1976....BROKEN
Cedar Rapids, IA...64 in 2018 and previous years...BROKEN
Dubuque, IA........62 in 1896....BROKEN
Moline, IL.........71 in 1976....BROKEN

Daily Record Warm Lows for today, February 27th...

Dubuque, IA........41 in 1896
Moline, IL.........41 in 1895 and previous years

All-Time Record February Daily Highs...
Burlington, IA.....76 on 2/24/1930*
Cedar Rapids, IA...76 on 2/26/2024*
Dubuque, IA........72 on 2/26/2024*
Moline, IL.........76 on 2/26/2024*...BROKEN (again!)

* = also denotes All-Time Record Meteorological Winter Daily Highs.

&&

.DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IA...Wind Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 6 AM CST Wednesday for
     IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099.
IL...Wind Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 6 AM CST Wednesday for
     ILZ015-024.
     Wind Advisory from 9 PM this evening to 6 AM CST Wednesday for
     ILZ001-002-007-009-016>018-025-026-034-035.
MO...Wind Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 6 AM CST Wednesday for
     MOZ009-010.

&&

MESOSCALE...Friedlein
SHORT TERM...Gross
LONG TERM...Gross
AVIATION...Gross
CLIMATE...Gross

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
1245 PM CST Tue Feb 27 2024

IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007-
009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-280915-
Buchanan-Delaware-Dubuque-Benton-Linn-Jones-Jackson-Iowa-Johnson-
Cedar-Clinton-Muscatine-Scott-Keokuk-Washington-Louisa-Jefferson-
Henry IA-Des Moines-Van Buren-Lee-Jo Daviess-Stephenson-Carroll-
Whiteside-Rock Island-Henry IL-Bureau-Putnam-Mercer-Henderson-
Warren-Hancock-McDonough-Scotland-Clark-
1245 PM CST Tue Feb 27 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Illinois...northwest Illinois...west central Illinois...east
central Iowa...northeast Iowa...southeast Iowa and northeast
Missouri.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

Scattered severe thunderstorms are expected to form between 4 and 6
PM along and east the Mississippi River as a strong cold front
approaches the area. These storms are expected to mature as they
head into Illinois leading to the threat of large hail, damaging
winds and tornadoes. The best chance for a tornado looks to exist
between I80 and I88 in Illinois late this afternoon and into the
evening.

As winds increase behind the cold front this afternoon, very high
fire danger is expected.  Burning is discouraged.

Tonight, winds behind the cold front will blow at 20 to 30 mph, with
gusts to 45 mph. Wind chills will fall below zero by morning with
temperatures dropping 55 to 65 degrees in a 15 hour window. Prepare
for typical late January weather!

Moderate snowfall is possible tonight with accumulations up to half
an inch.  This snowfall could lead to slick roads for the morning
commute.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

Windy weather will continue through Thursday with gusts to 40 mph
possible and a continued risk for fires spreading out of control.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Storm spotters may be needed today, after 4 PM.

GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY: ENE at 30-40 mph

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
447 PM CST Tue Feb 27 2024

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

0425 PM     Hail             1 ENE Fairfax           41.93N 91.76W
02/27/2024  M0.25 inch       Linn               IA   Trained Spotter

0436 PM     Hail             3 NNE Cedar Rapids      42.01N 91.66W
02/27/2024  E0.25 inch       Linn               IA   Trained Spotter

            Occurring right now.

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
450 PM CST Tue Feb 27 2024

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

0448 PM     Hail             2 ENE Marion            42.05N 91.56W
02/27/2024  E0.25 inch       Linn               IA   Trained Spotter

            Occurring right now with heavy rain and
            gusty winds.

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
458 PM CST Tue Feb 27 2024

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

0440 PM     Hail             Marion                  42.04N 91.58W
02/27/2024  E0.25 inch       Linn               IA   Public

            Via social media.

&&