Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 87, NWS Quad Cities, IA

August 12, 2026Bureau County, Illinois

NWS Quad Cities, IA issued this tornado warning at Aug 12, 2026, 8:15 AM CDT for Bureau County, Illinois. It was in force for 28 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
Aug 12, 2026, 8:15 AM CDT (13:15 UTC)
Expired
Aug 12, 2026, 8:43 AM CDT
In force
28 min
Issued by
NWS Quad Cities, IA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.0 in

County Bureau County, IL

The radar

The Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 102 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 13:18 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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Aug 12, 6:41 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Davenport, (KDVN), launched 12:00Z, 1.3 hours before the alert went out and 95 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, Davenport, at 12:00Z on 2026-08-12Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 4572 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, Davenport, at 12:00Z on 2026-08-12The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -14 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 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
4572 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-27 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
679 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
30 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-14 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
37 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.5
Supercell composite
3.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

010 
WFUS53 KDVN 121315
TORDVN
ILC011-121400-
/O.NEW.KDVN.TO.W.0087.260812T1315Z-260812T1400Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
815 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

The National Weather Service in the Quad Cities has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northeastern Bureau County in north central Illinois...

* Until 900 AM CDT.

* At 815 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over Ohio, or 12 miles north of Princeton, moving east
  at 35 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado.

  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...
  La Moille, Ohio, Kasbeer, and Van Orin around 820 AM CDT.
  Arlington around 830 AM CDT.

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.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4144 8952 4158 8958 4159 8924 4158 8917
      4147 8917
TIME...MOT...LOC 1315Z 263DEG 30KT 4156 8951 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

Uttech
3 follow-up statements
365 
WWUS53 KDVN 121323
SVSDVN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
823 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

ILC011-121400-
/O.CON.KDVN.TO.W.0087.000000T0000Z-260812T1400Z/
Bureau IL-
823 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 AM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN BUREAU COUNTY...

At 823 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Van Orin, or 11 miles north of Princeton, moving
east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

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...
  La Moille and Arlington around 830 AM CDT.

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.

Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4145 8938 4158 8948 4159 8924 4158 8917
      4147 8917
TIME...MOT...LOC 1323Z 268DEG 29KT 4153 8939 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

Uttech
422 
WWUS53 KDVN 121333
SVSDVN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
833 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

ILC011-121400-
/O.CON.KDVN.TO.W.0087.000000T0000Z-260812T1400Z/
Bureau IL-
833 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 AM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN BUREAU COUNTY...

At 832 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Arlington, or near Mendota, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

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 tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
northeastern Bureau County, including the following locations...
Arlington.

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.

Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4146 8927 4159 8935 4159 8924 4158 8917
      4147 8917
TIME...MOT...LOC 1332Z 262DEG 32KT 4151 8923 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

Uttech
594 
WWUS53 KDVN 121343
SVSDVN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
843 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

ILC011-121352-
/O.CAN.KDVN.TO.W.0087.000000T0000Z-260812T1400Z/
Bureau IL-
843 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN BUREAU COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. Gusty winds and heavy 
rain are still possible.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 100 PM CDT for
north central Illinois.

&&

LAT...LON 4146 8927 4159 8935 4159 8924 4158 8917
      4147 8917
TIME...MOT...LOC 1339Z 263DEG 30KT 4152 8911 

$$

Uttech

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 Aug 12, 6:33 AM CDT, 1 hour 42 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • There is a Slight (level 2 out of 5) risk for severe storms this morning and early afternoon. Damaging wind up to the 70 mph and heavy rain will be the primary threats. Some embedded tornadoes will also be possible.
  • There is a Marginal (level 1 out of 5) risk for severe storms Thursday afternoon and evening. Damaging wind and heavy rain will be the primary threats. Some localized flash flooding is also possible for areas that see repeating storms.
  • There will be a near daily risk of shower/storms through the remainder of the week and into the weekend, However, there will also be many hours of dry weather.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 12, 6:33 AM CDT, 1 hour 42 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
633 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- There is a Slight (level 2 out of 5) risk for severe storms
  this morning and early afternoon. Damaging wind up to the 70
  mph and heavy rain will be the primary threats. Some embedded
  tornadoes will also be possible.

- There is a Marginal (level 1 out of 5) risk for severe storms
  Thursday afternoon and evening. Damaging wind and heavy rain
  will be the primary threats. Some localized flash flooding is
  also possible for areas that see repeating storms.

- There will be a near daily risk of shower/storms through the
  remainder of the week and into the weekend, However, there
  will also be many hours of dry weather.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Issued at 250 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

Another repeat of yesterday? Same llvl thermal and moisture gradient
alignment from the northern/central plains over to Indiana, with the
local area stuck in the middle. Water vapor imagery showing a
seasonably robust short wave probably convectively enhanced, acrs
central SD and an associated strong cluster of storms pushing
southeast into far north central NE ATTM. This may be the "player"
as it continues to evolve and develop a cold pool for propagation
mechanics acrs IA and through the local area this morning. Current
trends would have it dive further southeast than what most CAMs
suggest it will and then hammer the far southern CWA and MO. But
these areas are covered by a strong EML, and more prime LLJ feed and
ongoing MCS maintenance parameters align right along I-80 into
northern IL. Thus would expect more north/northeastward flank
development of the current storm cluster as it comes acrs and much
of the DVN CWA except maybe the far north will be at risk of the
wrath of another severe QLCS with damaging winds and embedded
tornadoes this morning.

If the current 3500 J/kg MLCAPE pool can hang on during storm
arrival, there appears to be enough kinematics again to fuel wind
gusts of 70 to 85 MPH with a bow utilizing cold pool mechanics and
mix down. The ongoing quasi-stationary LLVL boundary undulating acrs
NE over to northern IL will also be a focus. The storms will also be
producing rainfall at rates of 1-2 inches an hour, but hopefully the
progressive nature will limit flash flooding potential unless some
re-generation of a few storms on the wake outflow left behind
lingers longer into early afternoon on areas hit hard earlier.

High temperatures may vary quite a bit with convective debris and
outflow boundaries all over the place. But with storm system exit
and most the afternoon to recover, looks like another sultry day
with high humidity. Went ahead and issued another Heat Advisory for
the southern third of the fcst area which is expected remain south
of the main boundary and in the land of sfc DPTs in the upper 70s to
around 80. Some chance that a further south MCS track and lingering
wake clouds/perculating precip may ruin the ambient temp heat up
potential even in the south.

Tonight...Signs of another bout of short wave upper ridging and LLJ
re-focus back off to the west may make the later afternoon and most
of the night precip free again...with the ongoing chance for a rogue
elevated shower or storm with nocturnal LLJ WAA processes. This as
yet another short wave or MCV lurks upstream off to the west to ruin
the day Thursday. Like having to watch for this early Wednesday
morning, there may be some fog development in spots Thu morning
especially along and north of the quasi-stationary boundary. NBM low
temps ranging from the upper 60s to low 70s look on target.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Issued at 250 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

Thursday...This could be a day were the rounds of heavy rainfall add
up and the flooding potential increases especially by late Thu
night. After we may have yet another strong to severe MCS or storm
cluster move acrs the area during the day, there are synoptic scale
signals that the LLVL west-to-east boundary gets enhanced and is a
focus point of LLJ convergence and moisture feed, fueling more
thunderstorms possibly in a back-building scenario as Thu night
progresses. Where this west-to-east line of convection lays out
still uncertain of course at this juncture of the game but CAM
ensembles are hinting along to a county or two north of the I-80
corridor. Depending on what occurs rainfall-wise leading up to this
scenario, could see the eventual need for a flood watch for Thu or
Thu night.

Friday through Tuesday...Latest ensemble and upper jet trends
suggest the upper ridge and heat dome to get presses eastward again
with some amplitude thrust up the mid to upper MS RVR Valley with
west coast L/W troffiness establishment. This could make for another
heat and storm track battle zone on Friday for the region, until the
track then gets shunted more to the north acrs MN and WI while we
heat up again. Still on the southern fringe, couldn't rule out MCS
seepage down this far south into the local at times over the weekend
as well. The action may last into early next week with longer range
signs of upper ridge dampening and flattening to get us back under
the influence of ring of fire periphery.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 633 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

Another round of showers and thunderstorms is moving through the
area this morning, bringing a mixture of IFR/MVFR conditions in
-TSRA. Storms may brush just south of KDBQ, but LIFR ceilings
 along with MVFR visibilities are likely to linger for several
 more hours. This is just the first wave of two rounds of
 showers and storms this morning, with another wave just a few
 hours behind the first. This round is affecting KCID/KMLI/KDBQ
 the most, with KCID/KMLI/KBRL more likely to be affected by
 the second round. Thunderstorm activity should move out of all
 terminals by 19z today, with conditions returning to VFR. Fog
 may develop late tonight bringing MVFR visibilities. There may
 be another round of showers and storms after 09z tonight, and
 have included PROB30 groups for now.

&&

.DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IA...Heat Advisory from noon today to 8 PM CDT this evening for
     IAZ087>089-098-099.
IL...Heat Advisory from noon today to 8 PM CDT this evening for
     ILZ025-026-034-035.
MO...Heat Advisory from noon today to 8 PM CDT this evening for
     MOZ009-010.

&&

SHORT TERM...12
LONG TERM...12
AVIATION...LE
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 12, 4:25 AM CDT, 3 hours 50 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
425 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007-
009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-131100-
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-
425 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 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

A strong to severe storm system will move in from the west and
impact much of the Outlook Area this morning. Damaging winds,
potentially up to 70 mph, will be the primary risk. Brief spin-
up tornadoes will be a secondary risk. Much of the area is in a
Slight, level 2 out of 5, Risk for severe storms today. Locally
heavy rainfall and flooding will also be a concern

A Heat Advisory is in effect this afternoon and evening for areas
generally along and south of an Ottumwa, Iowa to Galesburg,
Illinois line. Heat Index readings will range from 100 to 105
degrees in these areas.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY

Rounds of strong to severe storms will again be possible Thursday
and Friday as the area continues to lay under an active storm
track. There is a Marginal, level 1 out of 5, Risk for severe
weather for the portions of the Outlook Area both days. Locally
heavy rain and flooding will also be a concern, especially
Thursday night when there will be the potentially for
thunderstorms moving repeatedly over the same areas.

There will continue to be an almost daily chance for thunderstorms
through the upcoming weekend.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is likely today.

12

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 12, 7:42 AM CDT, 33 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
742 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0741 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     4 NW Moline             41.52N 90.54W
08/12/2026                   Rock Island        IL   Public

            Trees down, size unknown, on the Arsenal
            golf course.

&&
Local storm report, Aug 12, 7:43 AM CDT, 32 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
743 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0739 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 WNW Middletown        40.83N 91.27W
08/12/2026  E65 MPH          Des Moines         IA   Trained Spotter

            On Hwy 34 at the Middletown exit.

&&
Local storm report, Aug 12, 7:51 AM CDT, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
751 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0711 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 N Coal Valley         41.47N 90.45W
08/12/2026  M59 MPH          Rock Island        IL   Mesonet

&&

ARG
Local storm report, Aug 12, 7:53 AM CDT, 22 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
753 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0743 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 ESE West Burlington   40.81N 91.16W
08/12/2026  M58 MPH          Des Moines         IA   Mesonet

&&

ARG
Local storm report, Aug 12, 8:14 AM CDT, 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
814 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0814 AM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Cambridge               41.31N 90.19W
08/12/2026  E50 MPH          Henry              IL   Trained Spotter

&&
Local storm report, Aug 12, 8:15 AM CDT, 0 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
815 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0730 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     New London              40.93N 91.41W
08/12/2026                   Henry              IA   Emergency Mngr

            Numerous trees down with some uprooted.

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 12, 1:18 AM CDTHeat AdvisoryDVNHancock, Henderson, McDonough, Warren12 hr
Aug 12, 6:09 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNRock Island66 min
Aug 12, 6:53 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNHenry, Rock Island67 min
Aug 12, 7:18 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningDVNRock Island94 min
Aug 12, 7:22 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNBureau, Henry, Whiteside53 min
Aug 12, 7:27 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNHenderson63 min
Aug 12, 7:49 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNHenry, Mercer41 min
Aug 12, 7:54 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNHancock36 min
Aug 12, 8:11 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNBureau, Putnam, Whiteside49 min
Aug 12, 8:20 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNHancock, Henderson, McDonough, Warren55 min
Aug 12, 10:57 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDVNMercer33 min
Aug 12, 11:24 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDVNMercer36 min
Aug 12, 11:37 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDVNWarren23 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.