Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 28, NWS Quad Cities, IA
NWS Quad Cities, IA issued this tornado warning at Apr 15, 2026, 8:24 PM CDT for Mercer County, Rock Island County, Illinois. It was in force for 39 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued.
The facts
- Issued
- Apr 15, 2026, 8:24 PM CDT (01:24 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 15, 2026, 9:03 PM CDT
- In force
- 39 min
- Issued by
- NWS Quad Cities, IA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.25 in
Counties Mercer County, IL, Rock Island County, IL
The radar
The Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 37 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:29 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 15, 3:40 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Davenport, (KDVN), launched 00:00Z, 1.4 hours before the alert went out and 42 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 1272 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -5 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1003 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 64 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 167 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 209 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 1.7
- Supercell composite
- 10.4
The text
As transmitted.
492
WFUS53 KDVN 160124
TORDVN
ILC131-161-160215-
/O.NEW.KDVN.TO.W.0028.260416T0124Z-260416T0215Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
824 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
The National Weather Service in the Quad Cities has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southwestern Rock Island County in northwestern Illinois...
Northwestern Mercer County in northwestern Illinois...
* Until 915 PM CDT.
* At 824 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Eliza, or 7 miles southeast of Muscatine, moving
east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and half dollar size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.
* This dangerous storm will be near...
Illinois City, Petersville, and Marston around 830 PM CDT.
Millersburg, Hamlet, Edgington, and Loud Thunder Scout Camp around
835 PM CDT.
Gingle Corners and Aledo Mercer County Airport around 840 PM CDT.
Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include
Reynolds, Taylor Ridge, Old Gilchrist, Shale City and Wanlock.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
This storm has a history of producing tornadoes. For your safety,
seek shelter now!
&&
LAT...LON 4143 9101 4143 9097 4142 9095 4142 9093
4143 9090 4141 9060 4120 9063 4127 9109
TIME...MOT...LOC 0124Z 273DEG 22KT 4133 9098
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
$$
McClure2 follow-up statements
244
WWUS53 KDVN 160142
SVSDVN
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
842 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
ILC131-161-160215-
/O.CON.KDVN.TO.W.0028.000000T0000Z-260416T0215Z/
Rock Island IL-Mercer IL-
842 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 PM CDT FOR SOUTH
CENTRAL ROCK ISLAND AND NORTH CENTRAL MERCER COUNTIES...
At 842 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Marston, or 8 miles north of Aledo, moving east at
25 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and half dollar size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Reynolds, Taylor Ridge, Hamlet, Edgington, Marston, Gingle
Corners, Aledo Mercer County Airport, Shale City, Wanlock and Old
Gilchrist.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
This storm has a history of producing tornadoes. Seek shelter now!
&&
LAT...LON 4131 9088 4136 9087 4143 9087 4141 9060
4120 9063 4124 9090
TIME...MOT...LOC 0142Z 275DEG 24KT 4131 9080
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
$$
McClure818
WWUS53 KDVN 160203
SVSDVN
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
903 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
ILC131-161-160212-
/O.CAN.KDVN.TO.W.0028.000000T0000Z-260416T0215Z/
Rock Island IL-Mercer IL-
903 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN ROCK ISLAND AND NORTH CENTRAL
MERCER COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and has exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning has
been cancelled.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for northwestern
Illinois.
&&
LAT...LON 4131 9088 4136 9087 4143 9087 4141 9060
4120 9063 4124 9090
TIME...MOT...LOC 0200Z 273DEG 22KT 4130 9063
$$
McClureWhat forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Quad Cities, IA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Apr 15, 6:42 PM CDT, 1 hour 42 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Isolated-scattered showers/storms are expected through the afternoon, with a line of strong/severe storms set to come through this evening. Severe weather is possible, with a Slight Risk (level 2/5) for severe weather.
- A seasonally strong storm system will impact our area Friday afternoon and evening, where the SPC has highlighted much of our area in an Enhanced Risk (level 3/5) for severe weather.
- Much cooler airmass moves in this weekend behind a cold front, bringing unseasonally cool temperatures back to the area. Temperatures in the 30s through the nighttime hours will bring the potential for frost/freeze, especially in our north.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 15, 6:42 PM CDT, 1 hour 42 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 642 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Isolated-scattered showers/storms are expected through the afternoon, with a line of strong/severe storms set to come through this evening. Severe weather is possible, with a Slight Risk (level 2/5) for severe weather. - A seasonally strong storm system will impact our area Friday afternoon and evening, where the SPC has highlighted much of our area in an Enhanced Risk (level 3/5) for severe weather. - Much cooler airmass moves in this weekend behind a cold front, bringing unseasonally cool temperatures back to the area. Temperatures in the 30s through the nighttime hours will bring the potential for frost/freeze, especially in our north. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/... Issued at 126 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026 Seasonally strong shortwave trof currently located over central Nebraska will continue to track east through Iowa this afternoon/evening. A surface low pressure will pass southwest to northeast just northwest of our area, dragging a cold front through our area this evening/tonight. While we already have ongoing showers and storms, we are expecting another round of storms as the cold front moves through the area this evening/tonight. Ahead of that, we will have a stationary/warm front draped over the area, which will be another focus for convective initiation ahead of the main line of convection. This is currently located between the Highway 30 and Highway 34 corridors. Thus, a few rounds of storms are expected today, where flash flooding is possible. A Flood Watch remains for those areas at greatest risk, owing to heavy rainfall yesterday. The SPC has our whole area outlooked in a Slight Risk (level 2/5) for severe weather today, where our best chances for severe weather will be with the line of storms progged to come through with the cold front this evening. Isolated severe storms are possible ahead of this through the afternoon, but confidence is low on coverage and severity. Looking at model soundings, we can expect another day of mixed-mode convection. Early-Mid afternoon, we are likely to continue to see scattered showers and storms. Given a lot of cloud cover and higher coverage of showers/storms in our north, the severe threat should remain relatively low into mid-afternoon. Although, areas south of Interstate 80 will have seen more sun peeking through, which has allowed more instability to build. Thus, there will be a little more of a severe threat in our south, generally in the form of semi- discrete supercells. Confidence is low on this at this time, but will further get monitored for the potential through mesoscale analysis this afternoon. This convection will generally be seen between the hours of 12-4 PM. Going into late afternoon and evening, we will see a line (possibly disconnected line of supercells) moving into our area from west to east, with some leading semi-discrete cells as well. The leading cells could be supercellular, which are currently looking to develop between the Highway 30 and Highway 34 corridors. These supercells may form just ahead of the line, generally between 4-6 PM, and then get absorbed into the main line. As we get towards the evening hours, the aforementioned line (QLCS- like with embedded supercells) will move through the area from west to east. Timing-Wise, this is expected to move into our west around 5-7 PM, and move out of our area by midnight local time. The best severe threat will be in the late afternoon/evening hours, but gradually decreasing after sunset. Now a look into the environment in place. The AM convection and resultant cloud cover has delayed our surface heating a bit, but clearing skies have been seen. This may limit the overall instability, but will still be sufficient. We are still looking at the potential for CAPE around 2000-3000+, collocated with shear around 50-60+ KTs, with little/no cap seen in forecast soundings. Thus, we have the necessary CAPE/Shear balance to favor supercells today. Although, with strong forcing moving in this afternoon and evening, upscale growth is expected. As was mentioned, this could be in the form of a disconnected line with embedded supercells. Lapse rates are once again favorable for hail in the midlevels, collocated with a fat CAPE profile in the hail growth layer. SPC highlights parts of our area in the potential for significant hail (2"+), which is possible. Otherwise, all hazards are in play today, with the primary threat being winds and embedded tornadoes when the line of convection comes through this evening. We are especially focusing on counties along the Interstate 80 corridor, as this is generally where the stalled out boundary will be. This will serve as a focus point for severe weather (some significant severe weather possible), with the increased tornado threat. Tonight and through Thursday, weak ridging moves in, with a surface high pressure quickly passing through. Thus, after any residual showers move out Thursday AM, we should remain dry for the remainder of the day. Clouds will also decrease through the day, with light winds and temperatures increasing into the mid-upper 70s. Thus, we are in for a beautiful day. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 126 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026 Friday will be another day of concern, as a potent shortwave tracks off of the Rockies and towards the Upper Midwest. This wave will develop a seasonally strong low pressure system, progged to drag a strong cold front through the area. Ahead of this, we will have an environment favorable for organized convection that can become strong to severe. Uncertainty remains with regards to timing, which can lead to impacts on the overall severe threat. Guidance has been hinting at this moving through Friday evening/night. Ahead of that, we will see a mix of clouds/sun, which will help build instability. According to model soundings, we may have CAPE values upwards to 2000-3000+, with shear around 35-45 KTs. The shear is a little lower than we have seen with the recent events, but sufficient for organized convection. Although, this would lead me to believe that we will largely be dealing with a line of strong/severe convection, but some initial isolated-scattered storms cannot be ruled out. More details are to come, as more short term hi-res CAMs start rolling in over the next 24-36 hours. The SPC has highlighted much of our area in an Enhanced Risk (level 3/5) for severe weather, with a Slight Risk (level 2/5) for areas east of the Mississippi River. Continue to monitor the forecast for future updates. This weekend, upper level flow becomes northwesterly behind the aforementioned shortwave. Modest cold advection will kick in, bringing much cooler air to the area. Daytime temperatures are set to be in the upper 40s to 50s through the weekend, which is quite the change to the 70s and 80s we have been seeing. Overnight lows will be in the 30s, with areas north of Interstate 80 seeing lows approaching freezing. Thus, our north will have the chance to see a frost/freeze during this timeframe. Although, confidence is lower on this now, as temperatures have trended upwards a few degrees since the last forecast package. Dry conditions are expected through the weekend, with mostly clear skies. While cooler, it should be a relatively pleasant weekend. Going into next week, it looks like the upper level pattern becomes active again. There remains many differences amongst guidance, but precipitation chances return to the area by midweek, along with increasing temperatures. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 635 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026 The main focus for the 00z TAF issuance will be SHRA/TSRA that is currently just to the west of the terminals. This activity is expected to continue to move east over the next few hours. Periods of MVFR ceilings and reduced visibility are possible with any storms impacting the terminals and visibility dropping lower in heavier activity. Erratic wind gusts 35-40 kts may be possible with the line of TSRA. Conditions improve west to east behind the departing line of storms, although guidance hints at the potential for shower or storms to linger at DBQ for a couple of hours. Low level moisture works its way back into the area tonight with lowering MVFR ceilings at DBQ and MLI. Conditions will improve after day break Thursday. South winds this evening will veer toward the west overnight and northwest on Thursday. && .DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IA...Flood Watch until midnight CDT tonight for IAZ040>042-051>054. IL...Flood Watch until midnight CDT tonight for ILZ001-002-007. MO...None. && SHORT TERM...Gunkel LONG TERM...Gunkel AVIATION...Diegan
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 15, 4:23 AM CDT, 16 hours 1 minute before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 423 AM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026 IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007- 009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-160930- Buchanan-Delaware-Dubuque-Benton-Linn-Jones-Jackson-Iowa-Johnson- Cedar-Clinton-Muscatine-Scott-Keokuk-Washington-Louisa-Jefferson- Henry IA-Des Moines-Van Buren-Lee-Jo Daviess-Stephenson-Carroll- Whiteside-Rock Island-Henry IL-Bureau-Putnam-Mercer-Henderson- Warren-Hancock-McDonough-Scotland-Clark- 423 AM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central Illinois...northwest Illinois...west central Illinois...east central Iowa...northeast Iowa...southeast Iowa and northeast Missouri. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT There is a Slight Risk, or level 2 of 5 risk, for severe weather across the Outlook area this afternoon and evening. Damaging winds, large hail and a few tornadoes are all possible. In addition, there is the potential for flash flooding in any areas that see multiple rounds of heavy rain producing storms. The greater risk for flash flooding will be north of Highway 30 where the ground is saturated from recent heavy rainfall of 1 to 3 inches. Area rivers are experiencing flooding. Please see the latest Flood Statements and Flood Warnings for details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY There is an Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) for severe weather across much of the area late Friday afternoon and Friday night. Damaging winds and tornadoes are the primary threats. Much colder air will bring the potential for frost and freeze conditions to parts of the area Saturday night and Sunday night. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and evening.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Apr 15, 6:13 PM CDT, 2 hours 11 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
613 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0605 PM Hail Belle Plaine 41.90N 92.28W
04/15/2026 M0.25 Inch Benton IA Trained Spotter
&&
DCLocal storm report, Apr 15, 6:50 PM CDT, 1 hour 34 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
650 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0650 PM Hail Nora 42.46N 89.94W
04/15/2026 M1.00 Inch Jo Daviess IL Trained Spotter
&&
CMDLocal storm report, Apr 15, 6:55 PM CDT, 1 hour 29 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
655 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0645 PM Rain Nora 42.46N 89.94W
04/15/2026 M1.60 Inch Jo Daviess IL Trained Spotter
Rainfall total between 9:00am and 6:45pm in
Nora, Illinois. More rainfall expected to
fall.
&&
CMDLocal storm report, Apr 15, 7:20 PM CDT, 1 hour 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
720 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0705 PM Hail North Liberty 41.74N 91.61W
04/15/2026 M0.25 Inch Johnson IA Trained Spotter
&&
DCLocal storm report, Apr 15, 7:46 PM CDT, 38 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
746 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0742 PM Hail Riverside 41.49N 91.58W
04/15/2026 E1.00 Inch Washington IA Trained Spotter
&&
ARGLocal storm report, Apr 15, 8:08 PM CDT, 16 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
808 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0758 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Letts 41.33N 91.23W
04/15/2026 Louisa IA Law Enforcement
Powerlines down. Time estimated using radar.
Also reported a funnel cloud.
&&
DCThe office that day
Everything else NWS Quad Cities, IA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 15, 7:00 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DVN | Jo Daviess | 4 hr |
| Apr 15, 7:14 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DVN | Jo Daviess, Stephenson | 3 hr |
| Apr 15, 7:51 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | Mercer, Rock Island | 54 min |
| Apr 15, 7:59 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DVN | Stephenson | 20 min |
| Apr 15, 8:02 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DVN | Mercer, Rock Island | 28 min |
| Apr 15, 8:13 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DVN | Hancock | 47 min |
| Apr 15, 8:14 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | DVN | Carroll, Jo Daviess | 3 hr |
| Apr 15, 8:30 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | DVN | Rock Island | 17 min |
| Apr 15, 9:26 PM CDT | River Flood Watch | DVN | Mercer, Rock Island | 21 days |
| Apr 15, 10:26 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | DVN | McDonough | 19 min |
| Apr 16, 10:43 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DVN | Henry, Rock Island, Whiteside | 16 days |
| Apr 16, 10:43 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DVN | Henry, Rock Island | 21 days |
| Apr 16, 10:43 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DVN | Whiteside | 6 days |
| Apr 16, 11:30 AM CDT | River Flood Watch | DVN | Jo Daviess | 21 days |
| Apr 16, 11:30 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DVN | Henderson, Mercer | 21 days |
| Apr 16, 11:30 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DVN | Mercer | 21 days |
| Apr 16, 11:30 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DVN | Hancock | 21 days |
| Apr 16, 11:30 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | DVN | Mercer, Rock Island | 12 days |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Illinois, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.