Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 35, NWS Lincoln, IL
NWS Lincoln, IL issued this tornado warning at Apr 2, 2026, 6:16 PM CDT for Knox County, Peoria County, Illinois. It was in force for 29 min. 9 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Apr 2, 2026, 6:16 PM CDT (23:16 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 2, 2026, 6:45 PM CDT
- In force
- 29 min
- Issued by
- NWS Lincoln, IL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
Counties Knox County, IL, Peoria County, IL
The radar
The Lincoln radar (KILX), 89 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:16 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.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2, 6:18 PM CDT | TORNADO | 2 Se Williamsfield, IL | The tornado touched down about 2 miles southeast of Williamsfield just west of the Knox County line, where it destroyed an outbuilding. It crossed into Peoria County and strengthened to 110 mph winds as it snapped off 7 large power poles along State Route 78 n |
| Apr 2, 6:18 PM CDT | TORNADO | 3 W Yates City, IL | The tornado developed near Douglas or about 3.5 miles west of Yates City along State Rt 8, where it damaged an outbuilding. It progressed to the northeast causing some damage to an outbuilding and numerous large trees along Knox Hwy 18 just south of 750 N. The |
| Apr 2, 6:19 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 2 E Williamsfield, IL | Tree branches snapped along Peoria and Knox County line. |
| Apr 2, 6:20 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | Yates City, IL | Powerlines blown down in rural Yates City. |
| Apr 2, 6:23 PM CDT | TORNADO | 4 N Yates City, IL | The tornado touched down about 2 miles east of Elba Center where it did some tree damage just south of Knox Road 900 N. It progressed across I-74 near E Knox Rd where it damaged an outbuilding and some trees. It caused additional tree damage along N Elmore Rd |
| Apr 2, 6:24 PM CDT | TSTM WND GST 63 | Elmwood, IL | |
| Apr 2, 6:28 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 2 Sw Laura, IL | Powerpoles blown down on Elmore Road at highway 150. |
| Apr 2, 6:30 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Se Brimfield, IL | Part of roof torn off a modular home. |
| Apr 2, 6:33 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 2 Nne Elmwood, IL | Powerlines blown down on Mc Clellan road. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 3 storm reports to this tornado warning; the first came 2 minutes after it went out.
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 2, 1:43 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 11.3 hours before the alert went out and 136 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
- 19 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -278 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 846 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 44 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 453 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 450 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
342
WFUS53 KILX 022316
TORILX
ILC095-143-022345-
/O.NEW.KILX.TO.W.0035.260402T2316Z-260402T2345Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
616 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026
The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southeastern Knox County in west central Illinois...
Northwestern Peoria County in central Illinois...
* Until 645 PM CDT.
* At 616 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Maquon, or 13 miles northwest of Canton, moving
northeast at 45 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...
Yates City around 620 PM CDT.
Elmwood around 625 PM CDT.
Brimfield around 630 PM CDT.
This includes Interstate 74 between mile markers 63 and 80.
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 4076 8975 4071 9000 4071 9019 4076 9025
4097 8994
TIME...MOT...LOC 2316Z 242DEG 39KT 4075 9014
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
Deubelbeiss2 follow-up statements
006
WWUS53 KILX 022324
SVSILX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
624 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026
ILC095-143-022345-
/O.CON.KILX.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-260402T2345Z/
Knox-Peoria-
624 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN KNOX AND NORTHWESTERN PEORIA COUNTIES...
At 623 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located north of Yates City, or 18 miles north of Canton, moving
northeast at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Brimfield and Laura around 630 PM CDT.
This includes Interstate 74 between mile markers 65 and 77.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4081 8979 4077 9005 4082 9011 4097 8994
TIME...MOT...LOC 2323Z 233DEG 49KT 4083 9001
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
Deubelbeiss869 WWUS53 KILX 022339 SVSILX Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Lincoln IL 639 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026 ILC095-143-022348- /O.EXP.KILX.TO.W.0035.000000T0000Z-260402T2345Z/ Knox-Peoria- 639 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN KNOX AND NORTHWESTERN PEORIA COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 645 PM CDT... The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been cancelled. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area. A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for central and west central Illinois. && LAT...LON 4081 8979 4077 9005 4082 9011 4097 8994 TIME...MOT...LOC 2338Z 242DEG 39KT 4090 8983 $$ Deubelbeiss
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 Lincoln, IL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Apr 2, 11:40 AM CDT, 6 hours 36 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- This afternoon and evening, strong winds pose a double threat. Non-thunderstorm gusts are expected to reach 40-50 mph. Furthermore, thunderstorm wind gusts could be stronger, ranging from 55 to 75 mph. Given the recently saturated soils, these high winds will not only create difficulties for high- profile vehicles but also present a risk of uprooted trees.
- In addition to the damaging wind concerns, there remains a localized threat for tornadoes and large hail through this evening as a cold front pushes through the region.
- Another round of severe weather and potential flooding is expected Friday afternoon and evening. Rainfall totals between Friday and Saturday have a medium-high probability (50-70%) of exceeding 1 inch areawide.
- Overnight lows are likely (50-80% chance) to fall into the mid 30s or lower each morning Sunday through Tuesday. Action may be needed to protect newly- emerged, tender vegetation.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 2, 11:40 AM CDT, 6 hours 36 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 1140 AM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - This afternoon and evening, strong winds pose a double threat. Non-thunderstorm gusts are expected to reach 40-50 mph. Furthermore, thunderstorm wind gusts could be stronger, ranging from 55 to 75 mph. Given the recently saturated soils, these high winds will not only create difficulties for high- profile vehicles but also present a risk of uprooted trees. - In addition to the damaging wind concerns, there remains a localized threat for tornadoes and large hail through this evening as a cold front pushes through the region. - Another round of severe weather and potential flooding is expected Friday afternoon and evening. Rainfall totals between Friday and Saturday have a medium-high probability (50-70%) of exceeding 1 inch areawide. - Overnight lows are likely (50-80% chance) to fall into the mid 30s or lower each morning Sunday through Tuesday. Action may be needed to protect newly- emerged, tender vegetation. && .DISCUSSION...(through next Wednesday) Issued at 1133 AM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026 A quick glance at the mid-level water vapor imagery depicts our compact, negatively-tilted shortwave trough lifting across the Missouri Valley with its attendant surface low positioned over central Iowa. Scattered, elevated morning convection has been observed out ahead of the cold front within a broad warm sector and beneath strong ascent characterized by an upper-level difluent zone and strong kinematic profile. High-resolution model guidance consistently predicts widespread thunderstorms developing across west-central Illinois early this afternoon. The environment, characterized by surface temperatures in the low 70s and dewpoints in the low 60s, is expected to quickly destabilize due to low-level jet (LLJ) moisture transport, synoptic lift, and adiabatic cooling aloft. With MLCAPE values ranging from 500-1500 J/kg and deep-layer shear between 40-50 kts, supercells and multicell clusters are anticipated this afternoon and evening as a pre-frontal trough advances from the west. The robust low-level wind field, highlighted by a 60 kt LLJ core veering ahead of the cold front, will promote rapidly rotating updrafts. This potential is well- supported by 0-3 km Storm Relative Helicity (SRH) values exceeding 300 m2/s2 and a pronounced, humped low-level hodograph. While the parameter space clearly supports a tornado threat this afternoon through early evening across central Illinois, the uncapped warm sector will likely hinder supercells from staying discrete. The reality may be a much messier storm-scale environment with numerous mergers, nudgers, and boundary interactions. Aside from the tornado risk, a significant wind threat also exists given the top-shelf kinematic field in place. The momentum transfer augmented by precip-loading within any storm this afternoon and evening has the potential to put down 60 mph gusts, with the upshot being 75 mph gusts within any bowing segments or RFD surges that develop. The hail risk might be highest later this evening behind the pre-frontal trough and immediately along the cold front as a mid-level cold pocket overtakes the front and increases CAPEs through the hail growth zone. The current outlook supports hail up to the size of golf balls. Storms will exit the area late this evening, moving from northwest to southeast, as the cold front traverses central Illinois and becomes stationary. This stalled front will quickly retreat northward on Friday as a warm front, ahead of a significant upper-level trough that will track across the Missouri Valley toward the Upper-Mississippi Valley. This approaching disturbance and its associated surface low will set the stage for another round of nocturnal convection in central Illinois on Friday evening, likely taking the form of a decaying squall line pushing into west-central Illinois overnight. While a damaging wind risk is possible upon the squall lines arrival, the primary concern is the potential for flooding. Despite diminishing instability overnight, strong isentropic ascent preceding the front and weak low-pressure development along the front are expected to produce a long-duration rainfall event through Saturday morning. With the ground already saturated from recent heavy rains, widespread urban and small stream flooding, and potentially localized flash flooding, is anticipated by Saturday morning. Recent NBM guidance supports a medium-high probability (50-70%) of exceeding 1” during the Friday-Saturday timeframe. A transition to a drier and seasonably cool pattern is expected next week as elongated surface high pressure establishes itself over the central US. Current NBM guidance consistently forecasts daily high temperatures in the 50s from Sunday through Tuesday, with overnight lows in the 30s, raising renewed concerns for frost and freeze given the start of the growing season. Temperatures are then anticipated to rebound to warmer levels by the middle of next week as the high pressure system moves out and a southerly flow returns across the Plains and Midwest. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 1133 AM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026 A warm front lifting through the area has brought an end to LIFR ceilings, IFR/MVFR visibilities, while scattered showers continue through late morning. During the afternoon, instability will increase favoring a few thunderstorms, with the highest confidence between 18z-21z when a several models are showing scattered storms developing over the regional terminals. A second wave of thunderstorms may then develop along a cold front later this evening from 23z-05z, but confidence is lower during this timeframe and has otherwise been covered with a PROB30 mention in the TAFs. Besides storms, south winds will remain quite strong, especially from 18z-00z when gusts may reach 40 kt at times. Those winds will ease and shift to a more westerly direction behind the front overnight, eventually veering all the way back around to the SE/S by late in this TAF period. && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for ILZ027>031-036- 037-040-041-047>050. Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for ILZ038-042>046- 051>057-061>063-066>068-071>073. && KEY MESSAGES...MJA DISCUSSION...MJA AVIATION...MJA
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 2, 3:05 PM CDT, 3 hours 11 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 305 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026 ILZ027>031-036>038-040>043-047>053-031100- Knox-Stark-Peoria-Marshall-Woodford-Fulton-Tazewell-McLean-Schuyler- Mason-Logan-De Witt-Cass-Menard-Scott-Morgan-Sangamon-Christian- Macon- 305 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Scattered thunderstorms are expected through the first half of the evening, with the highest threat of severe weather near and west of the Illinois River. Damaging winds, potentially as high as 75 mph, will be the primary threat, though large hail and a few tornadoes are also possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Another round of severe storms is forecast Friday night into the overnight hours, with all hazards possible. Minor flooding may develop along portions of the Illinois River early next week, mainly from Havana to Beardstown. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed until 9 pm. Expected storm motion is toward the northeast, around 50 mph. ILZ044>046-054>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-031100- Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Moultrie-Douglas-Coles-Edgar-Shelby- Cumberland-Clark-Effingham-Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence- 305 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Illinois and southeast Illinois. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Periods of thunderstorms are expected through the evening, lingering past midnight south of I-70. Some of the storms will be severe. Damaging winds, potentially as high as 60 to 70 mph, will be the primary threat, though there is also a low threat of tornadoes. Outside of the storms, strong south winds with gusts 40 to 50 mph will continue into early evening. This could cause difficult driving conditions for high profile vehicles, especially on east west oriented roadways. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Thunderstorms are expected to develop again by late afternoon Friday, and continue into the first part of Saturday. Some of the storms may be strong after midnight Friday night. Minor flooding is possible along the Wabash River, beginning this weekend. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed through this evening. Expected storm motion is toward the northeast, around 50 mph. Geelhart
In the hours before
Local storm report, Apr 2, 3:42 PM CDT, 2 hours 34 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
342 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1200 PM Rain Henry 41.11N 89.36W
04/02/2026 M1.08 Inch Marshall IL Public
&&Local storm report, Apr 2, 4:02 PM CDT, 2 hours 14 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
402 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM Rain 1 W Galesburg 40.95N 90.39W
04/02/2026 M1.28 Inch Knox IL CO-OP Observer
CO-OP Observer station GBGI2 Galesburg.
0355 PM Rain Galesburg Airport 40.93N 90.43W
04/02/2026 M1.11 Inch Knox IL AWOS
AWOS station KGBG Galesburg Arpt.
0700 AM Rain 3 NNW Sparland 41.08N 89.47W
04/02/2026 M1.09 Inch Marshall IL Cocorahs
Cocorahs station IL-MH-4 Sparland 3.4 NNW.
0700 AM Rain 1 NW Knoxville 40.91N 90.29W
04/02/2026 M1.03 Inch Knox IL Cocorahs
Cocorahs station IL-KX-9 Knoxville 0.7 NW.
&&Local storm report, Apr 2, 4:49 PM CDT, 1 hour 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
449 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0423 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NW Lincoln 40.16N 89.37W
04/02/2026 M52 MPH Logan IL Public
&&Local storm report, Apr 2, 5:44 PM CDT, 32 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
544 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0532 PM Funnel Cloud Galesburg 40.95N 90.37W
04/02/2026 Knox IL Fire Dept/Rescue
Funnel reported on south side of Galesburg.
&&
ShimonLocal storm report, Apr 2, 5:48 PM CDT, 28 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
548 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0535 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Galesburg 40.95N 90.37W
04/02/2026 M49 MPH Knox IL ASOS
&&
ShimonLocal storm report, Apr 2, 5:51 PM CDT, 25 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
551 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0532 PM Funnel Cloud Galesburg 40.94N 90.37W
04/02/2026 Knox IL Trained Spotter
Reported outside of the Public Safety
Building at 150 S Broad Street in Galesburg.
&&
ShimonThe office that day
Everything else NWS Lincoln, IL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2, 4:38 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Champaign, Douglas, Vermilion | 52 min |
| Apr 2, 5:12 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Vermilion | 33 min |
| Apr 2, 5:19 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Knox | 41 min |
| Apr 2, 5:47 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Knox, Stark | 43 min |
| Apr 2, 6:00 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Fulton, Knox | 45 min |
| Apr 2, 6:31 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Fulton, Knox, Marshall, Peoria, Stark | 44 min |
| Apr 2, 6:33 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Marshall, Peoria, Stark | 24 min |
| Apr 2, 6:55 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Marshall, Peoria, Woodford | 50 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.