February 8th, 2024, McNabb Illinois Chase Recap

On February 8th, 2024, Storm Chaser Michael Marrero of Kryptonite Weather and Zach Folie of Team Interceptor intercepted an EF-1 tornado near McNabb, Illinois.

Several thunderstorms developed across much of eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois on the afternoon and early evening of February 8, 2024. Many of these storms had pea to dime size hail. The strongest storms occurred in Jackson County, IA and Jo Daviess, Stephenson, and Putnam counties in IL. Quarter to ping pong ball size fell with the storms in Jackson, Jo Daviess, and Stephenson counties, with the larger hailstones reported near Freeport, IL. A brief tornado developed just south of the Quad Cities County Warning Area in Marshall county and moved into Putnam county. A stronger tornado developed in the Albany/Evansville Wisconsin area south of Madison.

According to the Quad Cities National Weather Service office, a tornado touched down east of Illinois Highway 26 south of Henry Illinois. It crossed into Putnam county approximately at 4:44 pm and overturned a semi on Illinois Highway 18. Several large trees were uprooted or snapped along the tornados path as well as a few outbuildings receiving damage. The tornado touched down a few times, little spin ups along its 9.9 mile path.

In addition to the storms, record warmth occurred with widespread highs in the 60s and strong gradient winds gusting 35-50 mph.

For more information on this event, click the link below:

Severe Event Summary: February 8th, 2024 (weather.gov)