Are there tornadoes in Chicago?
Chicago does get tornadoes, mostly in spring and late summer, and 2026 has been an unusually active year.
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Will a tornado hit Chicago today?
No tornado is forecast for Chicago today; severe weather from last week has passed.
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What would happen if a tornado hit Chicago?
A tornado hitting Chicago could cause major damage and casualties, as seen in the 1990 F5 that killed 29, and the city is considered overdue for a major event.
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Can a tornado happen in Chicago?
Chicago is vulnerable to tornadoes, with a history of significant events including the 1990 Plainfield F5 tornado.
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Can tornadoes hit Chicago?
Chicago has a history of tornadoes, including a downtown touchdown in July 2024, with peak season in spring and late summer.
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Is a tornado coming to Chicago?
No tornado is forecast for Chicago; no warnings are in effect as of August 17, 2026.
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Is there a tornado in Chicago right now?
No tornado is currently affecting Chicago; no active warnings are in place.
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Did Chicago have a tornado?
Chicago has a documented history of tornadoes, including a deadly F4 in 1967 and multiple recent events.
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Where did a tornado hit Chicago?
Chicago has been hit by tornadoes in multiple locations, including Plainfield/Joliet (1990), near Halsted Street (2020), and south suburbs in 2026.
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Where is the tornado in Chicago?
No tornado is currently active in Chicago; the most recent was near O'Hare in 2023.
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What is the Chicago tornado siren?
Chicago's tornado siren is a citywide outdoor warning system of 112 sirens used to alert residents to tornadoes and severe weather.
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What tornado siren does Chicago use?
Chicago's tornado sirens are part of the Emergency Warning System, featuring 112 sirens with a distinctive, unsettling wailing tone.
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What tornado hit Chicago?
Chicago's deadliest tornado was an F4 on April 21, 1967, killing 33; the most recent was an EF-2 on August 11, 2026.
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Why doesn't Chicago get tornadoes?
Chicago gets few tornadoes due to its location and Lake Michigan's cooling effect, but they are not impossible.
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Do tornadoes occur in Chicago?
Chicago experiences tornadoes, with an average of one striking the area every 9.8 years, most often in spring and late summer.
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Is Chicago prone to tornadoes?
Chicago is tornado-prone, averaging a strike every 9.8 years, with spring and late summer peaks, and is currently overdue for a major tornado.
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Why are Chicago tornado sirens so creepy?
Chicago's tornado sirens use an intentionally unsettling 'alternate wail' tone to grab attention, making them sound uniquely creepy.
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