Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 68, NWS Quad Cities, IA

July 3, 2026Stephenson County, Illinois

NWS Quad Cities, IA issued this tornado warning at Jul 3, 2026, 5:42 PM CDT for Stephenson County, Illinois. It was in force for 42 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
Jul 3, 2026, 5:42 PM CDT (22:42 UTC)
Expired
Jul 3, 2026, 6:24 PM CDT
In force
42 min
Issued by
NWS Quad Cities, IA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.25 in

County Stephenson County, IL

The radar

The Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 102 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:45 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 nearest sounding before it

Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 10.7 hours before the alert went out and 252 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2026-07-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2722 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2026-07-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -1 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
2722 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-34 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
932 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
19 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-1 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
58 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

191 
WFUS53 KDVN 032242
TORDVN
ILC177-032345-
/O.NEW.KDVN.TO.W.0068.260703T2242Z-260703T2345Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
542 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

The National Weather Service in the Quad Cities has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southern Stephenson County in northwestern Illinois...

* Until 645 PM CDT.

* At 541 PM CDT, two severe thunderstorms both capable of producing 
  a tornado were located in southern Stephenson County, one 5 miles 
  south of Stockton, and the other near Freeport, both 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...
  Pearl City, Loran, and Kent around 545 PM CDT.
  Eleroy around 550 PM CDT.
  Bolton around 555 PM CDT.
  Freeport around 600 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include
Scioto Mills, Stephenson  County Fairgrounds, Albertus Airport,
German Valley, Ridott and Winneshiek.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 4220 8992 4235 8992 4235 8940 4220 8940
TIME...MOT...LOC 2241Z 277DEG 22KT 4229 8999 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN

$$

Friedlein
3 follow-up statements
101 
WWUS53 KDVN 032303
SVSDVN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
603 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

ILC177-032345-
/O.CON.KDVN.TO.W.0068.000000T0000Z-260703T2345Z/
Stephenson IL-
603 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT FOR SOUTHERN
STEPHENSON COUNTY...

At 603 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Pearl City, or 10 miles west of Freeport, moving 
east at 25 mph. A rotating wall cloud has been reported with this 
storm.

HAZARD...Tornado and quarter 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...
  Freeport, Eleroy, Bolton, Stephenson  County Fairgrounds, Albertus 
  Airport, German Valley and Ridott.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 4220 8992 4228 8992 4235 8984 4235 8940
      4220 8940
TIME...MOT...LOC 2303Z 281DEG 22KT 4225 8983 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

Friedlein
853 
WWUS53 KDVN 032312
SVSDVN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
612 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

ILC177-032345-
/O.CON.KDVN.TO.W.0068.000000T0000Z-260703T2345Z/
Stephenson IL-
612 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT FOR SOUTHERN
STEPHENSON COUNTY...

At 611 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Bolton, or 7 miles southwest of Freeport, moving 
east at 20 mph. While the radar rotation has slightly weakened with 
this storm, it still has had reports of visible rotation with it.

HAZARD...Tornado and quarter 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...
  Freeport, Albertus Airport, Bolton, and Stephenson  County 
  Fairgrounds around 615 PM CDT.
  Scioto Mills around 620 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include
German Valley and Ridott.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 4222 8982 4228 8985 4235 8981 4235 8940
      4220 8940 4220 8973
TIME...MOT...LOC 2311Z 276DEG 18KT 4224 8977 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

Friedlein
801 
WWUS53 KDVN 032324
SVSDVN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
624 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

ILC177-032333-
/O.CAN.KDVN.TO.W.0068.000000T0000Z-260703T2345Z/
Stephenson IL-
624 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHERN STEPHENSON COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has weakened. 
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.  However, gusty winds and 
heavy rain will still be experienced with this thunderstorm.

&&

LAT...LON 4222 8982 4228 8985 4235 8981 4235 8940
      4220 8940 4220 8973
TIME...MOT...LOC 2321Z 277DEG 22KT 4223 8967 

$$

Friedlein

What 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 Jul 3, 2:48 PM CDT, 2 hours 54 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Extreme Heat Warning continues through this evening for the south, the other areas cloud debris and lingering precip should keep heat index readings below headline criteria. Still very humid and uncomfortable. Not as hot early next week with more seasonable temps.
  • Messy storm pattern through the weekend with several rounds of storms possible. But many dry hours embedded in with the storm chances as well.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 3, 2:48 PM CDT, 2 hours 54 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
248 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

-  Extreme Heat Warning continues through this evening for the south,
   the other areas cloud debris and lingering precip should
   keep heat index readings below headline criteria. Still very
   humid and uncomfortable. Not as hot early next week with more
   seasonable temps.

-  Messy storm pattern through the weekend with several rounds
   of storms possible. But many dry hours embedded in with the
   storm chances as well.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Issued at 243 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

The outflow boundary from last nights storm complex is now moving
back north and allowing the atmosphere to recover. The heat
headlines will remain in place with the 10 PM expiration time
looking reasonable.

The flood watch has been expanded in areal coverage down to Highway
34 in southeast Iowa and extended through 7 AM Saturday morning.

As the boundary moves back north, it will collide the other
boundaries across the area. Each boundary and the intersection of
boundaries will provide numerous foci for diurnal convection
development any time after 4 PM. Overall coverage will be isolated
to scattered (10-35%) through sunset with said convection slowly
decaying through midnight.

Late this afternoon storms will fire in eastern Nebraska and grow
upscale into another organized storm complex. The storm complex will
then move generally east across Iowa and arrive in eastern Iowa at
after midnight.

Thus rain chances will be low through 4 PM followed by an uptick
through sunset and then perhaps another lull. Depending upon where
the storm complex forms and moves tonight, there should be a general
uptick with rain chances after midnight.

Moisture levels in the atmosphere remain quite high so storms will
have plenty of moisture available to produce rain. Warm rain
processes have a 50-70% probability of coming into play so rainfall
rates in the stronger storms will potentially be high. Corfidi
vectors become perpendicular to each other and at times are opposed
to each other. This raises the potential for storms to repeat over
the same areas or move very slowly. If this occurs then rainfall
would have a high probability of being excessive.

As for the severe risk tonight, the better risk is the western half
of Iowa. Storms should be in a decaying mode when they arrive in
eastern Iowa. An isolated severe storm cannot be ruled out with
damaging winds and hail being the primary risks.

Saturday will likely be similar to Friday morning; a decaying storm
complex entering or over eastern Iowa that has new convection
developing along outflow boundaries. This scenario will likely be
seen through mid-morning followed by convection dissipating in the
late morning. Boundaries left over from the nocturnal convection
will provide numerous foci for diurnal development mid to late
afternoon Saturday. Like Friday, coverage will be low at 10-30
percent. There may be a couple of severe storms Saturday with
damaging wind and hail being the primary risks.

Heat and humidity will continue across the area on Saturday but peak
afternoon heat indices along/south of Highway 30 look to be 95 to
100. North of Highway 30, peak heat indices look to be 90 to 95.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Issued at 300 AM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

Saturday night...there are signs of short wave energy and mid
level jet flux starting to angle the steering flow acrs the
upper Midwest more northwesterly. this process may form
nocturnal thunderstorms right overhead, just off to the
southwest, or north to northeast of the local CWA into Sunday
morning. Several models and ensembles support all three of these
scenarios and makes for high uncertainty at this juncture in
time. Will have to cover these chances with decent POPs and
await further runs for any changes.

Sunday...Not as hot and with a northwest flow upper wave overhead,
there will be the chance for isolated to widely sctrd showers and
storms popping up in the afternoon heating. High CAPE-low shear type
of scenario.

Quick look at next week, appears to be large/broad ridging regime
developing acrs much of the upper mid CONUS, meaning mainly dry and
seasonable for the home team through at least mid week.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 1236 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

Weak forcing and numerous outflow boundaries across eastern Iowa
and northern Illinois means isolated to scattered (10-30%
coverage) of SHRA/TSRA will be possible through sunset. After
02z/04 yet another organized storm complex will develop across
western Iowa and slowly move east through 12z/04. After 12z/04
the storm complex will slowly decay. Given the high moisture
levels in the atmosphere, IFR/LIFR conditions are possible for
any TSRA that impacts a TAF site.

&&

.DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IA...Flood Watch through Saturday morning for IAZ040>042-051>053-
     063>065-067-076>078-087>089.
     Extreme Heat Warning until 10 PM CDT this evening for
     IAZ087>089-098-099.
IL...Extreme Heat Warning until 10 PM CDT this evening for ILZ025-
     026-034-035.
MO...Extreme Heat Warning until 10 PM CDT this evening for MOZ009-
     010.

&&

SHORT TERM...08
LONG TERM...12/08
AVIATION...08
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 3, 2:54 PM CDT, 2 hours 48 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
254 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007-
009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-042000-
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-
254 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 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...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

The Extreme Heat Warning will continue through this evening
for areas generally along and south of an Ottumwa, Iowa to
Galesburg, Illinois line. Peak heat indices just over 100 are
expected.

The entire Outlook Area will be susceptible to rounds of
thunderstorms tonight. The potential for strong to severe storms
and flash flooding will also continue through this period. Most of
the area is in Slight Risk(Level 2 out of 5) tonight with
damaging winds the primary concern. Repeated storms producing
heavy rainfall at high rates will also have the capability to
produce flash flooding.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

There is a Marginal Risk(Level 1 out of 5) for severe weather on
Saturday for areas generally south and east of a Mount Pleasant
Iowa, to Quad Cities, to Princeton Illinois line.

Locally heavy rain and flash flooding will also continue to be a
threat on Saturday. The repeated rounds of heavy rain will produce
rises on some area creeks and tributary rivers, with a few
potentially reaching bankfull or even approach the flood stage
through early next week.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed at times today through Saturday.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 3, 4:55 PM CDT, 47 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
455 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

IAZ051-052-063-064-032300-
Linn IA-Iowa IA-Benton IA-Johnson IA-
455 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southwestern Linn,
northeastern Iowa, southeastern Benton and northwestern Johnson
Counties through 600 PM CDT...

At 454 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a couple strong
thunderstorm over northern Iowa County, including one near Marengo,
and the other 2 miles east of Ladora, both moving east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could cause minor tree limb damage and blow
         around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects
         is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Cedar Rapids, Marengo, Williamsburg, Fairfax, Walford, Oxford,
Norway, Amana, Conroy, Middle Amana, South Amana, Homestead, West
Amana, Upper South Amana, East Amana, Genoa Bluff, Watkins, F.W. Kent
Park, High Amana, and Iowa County Fairgrounds.

This includes Interstate 80 in Iowa between mile markers 212 and 234.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is occurring and may lead to localized flooding.
Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Stay away from
flooded areas. Report any flooding to local law enforcement.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4168 9217 4181 9218 4199 9173 4166 9173
TIME...MOT...LOC 2154Z 248DEG 13KT 4175 9214

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Friedlein
Special weather statement, Jul 3, 5:13 PM CDT, 29 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
513 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

IAZ040>042-051>054-066-ILZ001-002-032330-
Jo Daviess IL-Stephenson IL-Clinton IA-Linn IA-Buchanan IA-
Delaware IA-Benton IA-Jackson IA-Dubuque IA-Jones IA-
513 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Jo Daviess,
Stephenson, northwestern Clinton, Linn, southeastern Buchanan,
Delaware, northeastern Benton, Jackson, Dubuque and Jones Counties
through 630 PM CDT...

At 512 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking scattered strong
thunderstorms across the U.S. Highway 30 to U.S. Highway 20
corridors in eastern Iowa and far northwest Illinois. Movement was
east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and minor flooding.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could cause minor tree limb damage and blow
         around unsecured objects. Slowing or redirecting of traffic
         due to ponding or flowing water. Closure of waterfront
         access due to flooding.

Locations impacted include...
Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Freeport, Anamosa, Vinton, Manchester, Galena,
Marion, Hiawatha, Mount Vernon, Asbury, Dyersville, Monticello,
Robins, Lena, Center Point, Bellevue, Cascade, Lisbon, and Fairfax.

This includes Interstate 380 between mile markers 12 and 45.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is occurring and may lead to localized flooding.
Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4265 9077 4263 9070 4252 9064 4251 9064
      4250 8940 4220 8940 4219 9031 4218 9033
      4186 9162 4186 9174 4214 9209 4265 9136
      4265 9090 4268 9090
TIME...MOT...LOC 2212Z 255DEG 29KT 4216 9136 4193 9164

MAX HAIL SIZE...<0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Friedlein

The office that day

Everything else NWS Quad Cities, IA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 2, 10:59 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDVNHenry, Mercer61 min
Jul 2, 11:21 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDVNBureau39 min
Jul 3, 10:18 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDVNCarroll, Jo Daviess, Stephenson72 min
Jul 3, 10:57 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNCarroll, Stephenson37 min
Jul 3, 12:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNBureau, Putnam26 min
Jul 3, 5:13 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDVNJo Daviess, Stephenson77 min
Jul 3, 5:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNJo Daviess, Stephenson56 min
Jul 3, 5:21 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNBureau28 min
Jul 3, 5:26 PM CDTTornado WarningDVNJo Daviess34 min
Jul 3, 6:15 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDVNJo Daviess45 min
Jul 3, 6:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNCarroll, Jo Daviess50 min
Jul 3, 6:54 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDVNCarroll, Rock Island, Whiteside66 min

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.