The Plainfield Tornado - Definition

The Plainfield Tornado occurred on August 28, 1990. This tornado formed in a matter of hours from a HP (High-Precipitation) supercell. This was the strongest tornado to hit in Illinois since The Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak tornado that occurred at Lake Zurich and Oak Park.

The day started relatively normal according to late August standards. However, temperatures and dewpoints were above normal. Temperatures soared into the low 90's as dewpoints approached 80. At around 1 P.M., the National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for northern Illinois until 8 P.M.

In DeKalb County, a supercell thunderstorm formed a tornado near Oswego, Illinois. It was an ordinary tornado of about F2 strength. As the tornado moved into Will County, it strengthened into an F4. It then began to move into Plainfield, Illinois at around 3:45 P.M.

The tornado then aimed at Crest Hill, Illinois. It caused F3 or F4 damage. The tornado killed 29 people.

See also

• List of tornadoes and tornado outbreaks