In the Midwest, spring weather can be as unpredictable as a game of chance. Just recently, storms and even tornadoes swept across parts of Illinois and Indiana, showing the duality of serious weather within the region.
On March 20, 2025, a series of severe weather events began with the last tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service in Chicago, dropped at 5:58 p.m. Central time on March 19. This followed three tornado warnings for northern Illinois and extreme northwest Indiana earlier that day and became a notable part of this spring season. The storm system caused significant disruptions, particularly in Gary, Indiana, which reported downed branches, a collapsed garage, and damage to power poles.
The swirling events of the previous day were part of a stronger low-pressure system that traveled from Kansas to Michigan, bringing with it the potential for tornado activity. The Storm Prediction Center had also forecasted an enhanced risk (Level 3 out of 5) for tornadoes, prompting increased vigilance across much of Illinois. Despite the ominous forecasts, the overall development of the tornadoes seemed weak, resulting in a few quickly observed but minor funnel clouds near Peoria. Additionally, gustnadoes — short-lived spins of wind from thunderstorms — added to the unusual weather narrative.
However, what followed was striking: shortly after these severe thunderstorms, snow began to fall in the affected areas just before 3 a.m. on March 20. Winter weather advisories for Chicago were lifted by 7 a.m. the same morning, indicating just how dramatically conditions changed over the span of a few hours. Many parts of Illinois experienced the unusual transition from severe spring weather to the chill of winter in less than nine hours.
This rapid shift in conditions underscores the infamous nature of spring weather in the Midwest, often characterized by drastic temperature swings and sudden weather changes. On the day of the storms, O'Hare International Airport recorded a high temperature of only 47 degrees Fahrenheit, despite Champaign, located about 130 miles to the south, reaching a rather milder high of 74 degrees. Extreme wind gusts of up to 39 mph contributed to the shifting atmospheric conditions, which made the day highly volatile.
The historical context of such weather extremes is significant as well. Chicago has seen its fair share of similar occurrences. For instance, on January 18, 1996, the city experienced a temperature of 60 degrees by mid-morning, only to plummet to a mere 5 degrees by the next day. Last year, temperatures swung dramatically from 73 degrees at one point to just 20 degrees in under 24 hours. These capricious atmospheres can create what meteorologists refer to as "kitchen sink storms," marking the abrupt transitions from one weather system to another.
The unpredictable patterns can be attributed to the varying air masses that sweep the region. A historical example can be observed in Spearfish, South Dakota, where on January 22, 1943, a remarkable temperature swing of 49 degrees occurred in only two minutes, showcasing how volatile springtime weather can be.
This year, the weather's initial spring behaviors have captivated meteorologists and observers alike, reminding everyone once again that in the Midwest, it is often wiser to be prepared for a range of conditions at any moment. While there was speculation about tornadoes, the opposite came swiftly with snowfall. Traditionally, when discussing spring weather, it’s essential to keep in mind the phrase: “If you don’t like the weather, wait 15 minutes.”
Ultimately, the juxtaposition of tornado outlooks and the surprise snow illustrates the theater of Midwest spring weather, where people often stride between serene sunshine and severe storms within the same hour. It’s a reminder to everyone that weather can be both beautiful and terrifying, leaving residents with a question of what tomorrow may hold—sunshine or more snow.
