Following a week of record highs, a late winter severe weather outbreak brought widespread severe thunderstorms to Iowa, Illinois, and northeast Missouri. Supercell thunderstorms produced numerous reports of large hail and a few tornadoes. The tornadoes were the first ever recorded in the month of February, across eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois. Additionally, some damaging winds occurred after dark, when the storms formed into a line as they moved through Illinois. This outbreak of severe weather also included many locations in the southern half of Illinois, and Missouri.

Hail in MERCER, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 20:45:00 to 28-FEB-17 20:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: PREEMPTION
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A citizen reported dime to quarter size hail and strong winds. Damage to home siding occurred.

Hail in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 17:08:00 to 28-FEB-17 17:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: WARREN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter reported quarter size hail.

Hail in ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 20:35:00 to 28-FEB-17 20:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: ANDALUSIA
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter reported dime size hail through social media.

Hail in HENRY, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 20:12:00 to 28-FEB-17 20:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: GALVA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Emergency management reported quarter size hail.

Thunderstorm Wind in MERCER, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 20:45:00 to 28-FEB-17 20:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHERRARD
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A public report of several 4 inch diameter tree branches down along the highway just south of Sherrard, Illinois was received.

Hail in BUREAU, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 20:35:00 to 28-FEB-17 20:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: LA MOILLE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in HENRY, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 20:52:00 to 28-FEB-17 20:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: OSCO
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter reported dime size hail.

Hail in HENRY, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 20:52:00 to 28-FEB-17 20:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: OSCO
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter reported dime size hail.

Hail in BUREAU, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 21:40:00 to 28-FEB-17 21:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: TISKILWA
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A citizen reported 1.25 inch diameter hail. The time of this report was determined from radar data.

Tornado in BUREAU, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 21:43:00 to 28-FEB-17 21:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHERRY
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

National Weather Service storm survey team reported damage along a path, mainly to trees.  A farm shed was also completely destroyed along the path. The estimated peak winds were 70 mph.

Hail in WHITESIDE, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 16:59:00 to 28-FEB-17 16:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: STERLING
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter reported dime size hail.

Hail in HENRY, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 16:20:00 to 28-FEB-17 16:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: GALVA
Magnitude: 2.50 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter reports a mix of quarter to half dollar size hail.

Hail in HANCOCK, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 15:40:00 to 28-FEB-17 15:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: LA HARPE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A hail swath of quarter size hail was reported by a spotter to be 3 to 4 miles long along Highway 94.

Hail in HENRY, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 15:20:00 to 28-FEB-17 15:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: GALVA
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in HANCOCK, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 15:25:00 to 28-FEB-17 15:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: DURHAM
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter reported pea size hail increasing to the size of quarters during a two minute long hail storm.

Hail in HANCOCK, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 15:37:00 to 28-FEB-17 15:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: LA HARPE
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A citizen reported 1.25 diameter hail.

Hail in WHITESIDE, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 16:22:00 to 28-FEB-17 16:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: USTICK
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter reported a mix of pea to dime size hail.

Hail in HENRY, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 16:23:00 to 28-FEB-17 16:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: KEWANEE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in WHITESIDE, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 16:44:00 to 28-FEB-17 16:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: COLETA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter reported hail up to the size of quarters.

Hail in WHITESIDE, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 16:54:00 to 28-FEB-17 16:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: STERLING
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in WHITESIDE, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 16:58:00 to 28-FEB-17 16:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: STERLING
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter reported hail slightly larger than golf balls.

Hail in PUTNAM, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 16:25:00 to 28-FEB-17 16:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARK
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A public report was relayed by emergency management of large hail.

Hail in PUTNAM, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 16:42:00 to 28-FEB-17 16:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRANVILLE
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A citizen reported 1.25 inch diameter hail.

Hail in HENDERSON, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 15:45:00 to 28-FEB-17 15:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: RARITAN
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A citizen reported hail around golf ball size.

Hail in HENRY, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 16:12:00 to 28-FEB-17 16:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: GALVA
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Spotters reported dime size hail.

Tornado in WHITESIDE, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 16:44:00 to 28-FEB-17 16:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: COLETA
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

National Weather Service storm survey showed damage consisting of snapped pine trees, damaged farm out buildings, and an un-roofed attached garage and home along the path. A second home also sustained damage to its roof. The estimated peak wind was 100 mph.

Hail in HENRY, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 15:52:00 to 28-FEB-17 15:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALPHA
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in MERCER, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 19:50:00 to 28-FEB-17 20:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: KEITHSBURG
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter reported a mix of pea to dime size hail lasting 20 minutes.

Hail in BUREAU, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 16:55:00 to 28-FEB-17 16:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: TISKILWA
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter reported nickel size hail.

Hail in HENRY, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 16:15:00 to 28-FEB-17 16:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: GALVA
Magnitude: 2.00 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Tornado in BUREAU, ILLINOIS
From 28-FEB-17 16:19:00 to 28-FEB-17 16:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILO
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado touched down and spent most of its time moving through Stark County, Illinois, generally south of Bradford and just east of Castleton. It lifted in far western Bureau county. Trees were damaged by this tornado, along with a farm outbuilding, and minor damage to a few homes. The estimated peak wind was 95 mph. The entire path length was 5.51 miles, after initially touching down 5.3 miles southwest of Bradford, 41.11 N / -89.7145 W.