Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 36, NWS Lincoln, IL

April 2, 2026Marshall County, Peoria County, Stark County, Illinois

NWS Lincoln, IL issued this tornado warning at Apr 2, 2026, 6:33 PM CDT for Marshall County, Peoria County, Stark County, Illinois. It was in force for 24 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 2, 2026, 6:33 PM CDT (23:33 UTC)
Expired
Apr 2, 2026, 6:57 PM CDT
In force
24 min
Issued by
NWS Lincoln, IL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

Counties Marshall County, IL, Peoria County, IL, Stark County, IL

The radar

The Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 103 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:37 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
Apr 2, 1:43 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 11.6 hours before the alert went out and 132 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 2026-04-02Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 19 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 2026-04-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 453 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
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

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

712 
WFUS53 KILX 022333
TORILX
ILC123-143-175-030015-
/O.NEW.KILX.TO.W.0036.260402T2333Z-260403T0015Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
633 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northwestern Marshall County in central Illinois...
  Southeastern Stark County in north central Illinois...
  North central Peoria County in central Illinois...

* Until 715 PM CDT.

* At 633 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over Laura, or 11 miles southwest of Wyoming, moving
  northeast at 60 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...
  Wyoming and Princeville around 640 PM CDT.
  Camp Grove around 645 PM 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.

&&

LAT...LON 4115 8964 4115 8933 4112 8933 4111 8936
      4110 8933 4086 8984 4097 8994 4119 8964
TIME...MOT...LOC 2333Z 228DEG 50KT 4092 8987 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Erwin
2 follow-up statements
080 
WWUS53 KILX 022347
SVSILX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
647 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

ILC143-022356-
/O.CAN.KILX.TO.W.0036.000000T0000Z-260403T0015Z/
Peoria-
647 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL PEORIA COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for central and
north central Illinois.

&&

LAT...LON 4099 8966 4110 8973 4115 8964 4115 8933
      4112 8933 4112 8934 4111 8936 4111 8937
TIME...MOT...LOC 2346Z 240DEG 49KT 4109 8958 

$$

ILC123-175-030015-
/O.CON.KILX.TO.W.0036.000000T0000Z-260403T0015Z/
Marshall-Stark-
647 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN MARSHALL AND EAST CENTRAL STARK COUNTIES...

At 646 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Camp Grove, or 9 miles northwest of Lacon, 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...
  Henry around 655 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Marshall-Putnam County Fairgrounds.

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 4099 8966 4110 8973 4115 8964 4115 8933
      4112 8933 4112 8934 4111 8936 4111 8937
TIME...MOT...LOC 2346Z 240DEG 49KT 4109 8958 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Erwin
879 
WWUS53 KILX 022357
SVSILX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
657 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

ILC123-175-030007-
/O.CAN.KILX.TO.W.0036.000000T0000Z-260403T0015Z/
Marshall-Stark-
657 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN MARSHALL AND EAST CENTRAL
STARK COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the tornado warning has moved out of the 
area. Therefore, the tornado warning has been cancelled.  However, 
gusty winds are still possible with this thunderstorm.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for central and
north central Illinois.

Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for
portions of Marshall and Stark Counties!

&&

LAT...LON 4099 8966 4110 8973 4115 8964 4115 8933
      4112 8933 4112 8934 4111 8936 4111 8937
TIME...MOT...LOC 2355Z 228DEG 50KT 4119 8943 

$$

Erwin

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, 6:22 PM CDT, 11 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, 6:22 PM CDT, 11 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
622 PM 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...
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 /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 622 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

Line of strong to severe thunderstorms is most likely to impact
KPIA over the next couple hours. It may take a few hours for
any storms to get over into eastern Illinois. With KPIA most
likely, will cover the threat with a TEMPO group, but use PROB30
for the other sites. Currently thinking the thunder threat
should be out of the terminals before 06z.

Otherwise, the strong southerly winds will gradually ease up
this evening, as they shift more toward the west. By daybreak,
winds should be relatively light as a front settles over the
area, but will go back southerly again through Friday morning.
On the north side of the front, a period of MVFR ceilings
appears likely during the morning into early afternoon. Late in
the period, another chance of thunderstorms.

&&

.ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for ILZ027>031-
036>038-040>057-061>063-066>068-071>073.

&&

KEY MESSAGES...MJA
DISCUSSION...MJA
AVIATION...Geelhart
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 2, 3:05 PM CDT, 3 hours 28 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, 4:02 PM CDT, 2 hours 31 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 44 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, 49 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.

&&

Shimon
Local storm report, Apr 2, 5:48 PM CDT, 45 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

&&

Shimon
Local storm report, Apr 2, 5:51 PM CDT, 42 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.

&&

Shimon
Local storm report, Apr 2, 6:20 PM CDT, 13 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
620 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

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

0542 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Central Illinois Airpor 40.48N 88.91W
04/02/2026  M51 MPH          McLean             IL   AWOS

            AWOS station KBMI Bloomington Arpt.

&&

The office that day

Everything else NWS Lincoln, IL issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 2, 4:38 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXChampaign, Douglas, Vermilion52 min
Apr 2, 5:12 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXVermilion33 min
Apr 2, 5:19 PM CDTTornado WarningILXKnox41 min
Apr 2, 5:47 PM CDTTornado WarningILXKnox, Stark43 min
Apr 2, 6:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXFulton, Knox45 min
Apr 2, 6:16 PM CDTTornado WarningILXKnox, Peoria29 min
Apr 2, 6:31 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXFulton, Knox, Marshall, Peoria, Stark44 min
Apr 2, 6:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXMarshall, Peoria, Woodford50 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.