Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 38, NWS Lincoln, IL
NWS Lincoln, IL issued this tornado warning at Apr 3, 2026, 5:00 PM CDT for Logan County, Mason County, Tazewell County, Illinois. It was in force for 30 min. 4 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 3, 2026, 5:00 PM CDT (22:00 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 3, 2026, 5:30 PM CDT
- In force
- 30 min
- Issued by
- NWS Lincoln, IL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
Counties Logan County, IL, Mason County, IL, Tazewell County, IL
The radar
The Lincoln radar (KILX), 46 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:02 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 3, 5:15 PM CDT | FUNNEL CLOUD | 2 Se Topeka, IL | Funnel cloud reported southwest of Forest City. |
| Apr 3, 5:21 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | Manito, IL | |
| Apr 3, 5:23 PM CDT | HAIL 2 | Forest City, IL | |
| Apr 3, 5:27 PM CDT | FUNNEL CLOUD | 5 Se Union, IL |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
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, 10.0 hours before the alert went out and 106 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
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1023 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 47 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 172 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 229 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
186
WFUS53 KILX 032200
TORILX
ILC107-125-179-032230-
/O.NEW.KILX.TO.W.0038.260403T2200Z-260403T2230Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
500 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Northwestern Logan County in central Illinois...
Southwestern Tazewell County in central Illinois...
Northeastern Mason County in central Illinois...
* Until 530 PM CDT.
* At 500 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Easton, or 8 miles east of Havana, moving
northeast at 20 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...
Manito around 520 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 4025 8991 4033 9004 4054 8973 4033 8952
TIME...MOT...LOC 2200Z 232DEG 19KT 4029 8989
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
MJA2 follow-up statements
929
WWUS53 KILX 032206
SVSILX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
506 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
ILC107-125-179-032230-
/O.CON.KILX.TO.W.0038.000000T0000Z-260403T2230Z/
Logan-Tazewell-Mason-
506 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN LOGAN...SOUTHWESTERN TAZEWELL AND NORTHEASTERN MASON
COUNTIES...
At 505 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Easton, or 10 miles east of Havana, moving northeast
at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail.
SOURCE...At 5:03 pm, weather spotters reported a rotating wall cloud.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Manito around 520 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Forest
City, Topeka, and Goofy Ridge.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4025 8991 4033 9004 4054 8973 4033 8952
TIME...MOT...LOC 2205Z 232DEG 19KT 4031 8986
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
$$
MJA319
WWUS53 KILX 032217
SVSILX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
517 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
ILC107-032226-
/O.CAN.KILX.TO.W.0038.000000T0000Z-260403T2230Z/
Logan-
517 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN LOGAN COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
&&
LAT...LON 4030 8984 4041 8992 4054 8973 4033 8952
TIME...MOT...LOC 2216Z 232DEG 19KT 4035 8980
$$
ILC125-179-032230-
/O.CON.KILX.TO.W.0038.000000T0000Z-260403T2230Z/
Tazewell-Mason-
517 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN TAZEWELL AND NORTHEASTERN MASON COUNTIES...
At 516 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Manito, or 11 miles northwest of Mason City, moving
northeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and golf ball size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. At 5:12 pm, trained weather
spotters reported a large funnel cloud over Forest City.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Manito around 520 PM CDT.
Green Valley around 530 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Forest
City.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4030 8984 4041 8992 4054 8973 4033 8952
TIME...MOT...LOC 2216Z 232DEG 19KT 4035 8980
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
$$
MJAWhat 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 3, 1:37 PM CDT, 3 hours 23 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Two periods of severe weather are expected through tonight. Of those, the first one (2-10 pm) would be most likely to produce all severe weather hazards, primarily west of I-55. The second one, after midnight, will mainly see a localized damaging wind threat.
- A trend for cooler weather is on tap for the second half of the weekend, into Tuesday. There is concern for a hard freeze in parts of central Illinois Monday night, mainly focused on areas near and north of I-74.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 3, 1:37 PM CDT, 3 hours 23 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 137 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Two periods of severe weather are expected through tonight. Of those, the first one (2-10 pm) would be most likely to produce all severe weather hazards, primarily west of I-55. The second one, after midnight, will mainly see a localized damaging wind threat. - A trend for cooler weather is on tap for the second half of the weekend, into Tuesday. There is concern for a hard freeze in parts of central Illinois Monday night, mainly focused on areas near and north of I-74. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 137 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 Through Saturday: A warm front was located roughly along I-72/US-36 early this afternoon, with temperatures south of it in the lower 70s and dew points in the mid 60s. Recent satellite imagery shows this particular region, while still having a fair amount of clouds, has had some breaks that have helped boost mixed layer CAPE's to around 1000 J/kg. Noontime run of the WoFS model suggests the boundary lifting about as far north as Peoria by mid afternoon. WoFS output, as well as recent runs of the HRRR and the 12z RRFS, are all focusing on convective initiation in the 2-3 pm time frame. This seems on track, as visible satellite is showing some towering cumulus centered along I-72, and some showers have been popping recently in east central Illinois. While severe weather is not a slam dunk this afternoon and evening, there are enough components that all hazards remain in play. However, most of this focus will be west of I-55, and especially toward the Illinois River valley. The first batch of storms will likely be out of our forecast area by late evening, but the line of storms associated with the cold front won't be too far behind. Main focus for that band will be in the midnight to 5 am time frame, with the main concern being with localized 50-60 mph wind gusts. After that, rain tapers from west to east on Saturday as the front pushes into Indiana by midday. Sunday through Tuesday: Much of this period will be fairly tranquil, as high pressure settles into the mid Mississippi Valley. Main concern in this time frame is with the cooler temperatures, and potential for a hard freeze. Latest LREF has about a 40% chance of a hard freeze (lows 28F or colder) Monday night, roughly along and north of I-74. Wednesday through Friday: A significant warming trend takes place, as the upper flow becomes more zonal, and high temperatures return to the 60s and 70s. Main feature of note will be a strong shortwave tracking across the northern states Wednesday-Thursday, with a trailing cold front arriving around Thursday. As it starts to parallel the upper flow, an extended chance of rain begins to set up. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 1240 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 A northward lifting warm front will bring southerly winds across the board through this afternoon and evening. Sustained wind speeds will be around 10 kts with occasional gusts near 20 kts through late tonight. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible in the vicinity of the warm front, as well as within the warm sector. This threat exists primarily between 22z-03z at all terminals, though confidence and coverage remain low enough to cover with a PROB30 group for the time being. Later this evening, a higher confidence chance for widespread showers and thunderstorms exists, and will spread from west to east along a cold front. We covered this threat with a predominant TSRA mention, mainly between 05z-12z. Behind the leading line of thunderstorms, a trailing stratiform rain is likely through mid- Saturday morning before clouds gradually begin to lift and break by the end of this TAF period. && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && KEY MESSAGES...Geelhart DISCUSSION...Geelhart AVIATION...MJA
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 3, 1:40 PM CDT, 3 hours 20 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 140 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 ILZ027>031-036>038-040>053-041845- Knox-Stark-Peoria-Marshall-Woodford-Fulton-Tazewell-McLean-Schuyler- Mason-Logan-De Witt-Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Cass-Menard-Scott- Morgan-Sangamon-Christian-Macon- 140 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Periods of thunderstorms are expected through tonight. Some of these storms may be strong to severe, especially during the afternoon and early evening and again late evening and overnight. A few tornadoes are possible during the afternoon and evening. Damaging wind gusts over 60 mph and large hail over 1 inch diameter are possible with the strongest storms. Locally heavy rainfall could also produce areas of flooding in urban and poor drainage areas as well as near rivers. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. A few thunderstorms may continue into Saturday morning. Minor flooding is expected along the Illinois River, beginning early next week. Freezing temperatures are possible Monday night, and may cause damage to newly emerged tender vegetation. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed from 2 to 7 pm. Expected storm motion is toward the northeast around 35 mph. ILZ054>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-041845- Moultrie-Douglas-Coles-Edgar-Shelby-Cumberland-Clark-Effingham- Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence- 140 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois and southeast Illinois. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Periods of thunderstorms are expected through tonight. Some of these storms may be strong to severe. Damaging wind gusts over 60 mph and large hail over 1 inch diameter are possible with the strongest storms. Locally heavy rainfall could also produce areas of flooding in urban and poor drainage areas as well as near rivers. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. A few thunderstorms may continue into Saturday morning. Minor flooding is possible along the Wabash River and may develop along the Little Wabash River this weekend, continuing into next week. Freezing temperatures are possible Monday night, and may cause damage to newly emerged tender vegetation. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated for tonight. MJA
The office that day
Everything else NWS Lincoln, IL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2, 7:24 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Peoria, Tazewell | 51 min |
| Apr 2, 7:38 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Marshall, Woodford | 31 min |
| Apr 3, 3:21 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | DeWitt, McLean | 39 min |
| Apr 3, 3:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Champaign, McLean | 33 min |
| Apr 3, 3:55 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | McLean | 35 min |
| Apr 3, 4:05 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Fulton, Mason, Schuyler | 55 min |
| Apr 3, 4:50 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Vermilion | 14 min |
| Apr 3, 4:54 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Fulton, Mason, Peoria, Tazewell | 51 min |
| Apr 3, 5:24 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Cass, Morgan, Schuyler | 22 min |
| Apr 3, 5:29 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Mason, Tazewell | 31 min |
| Apr 3, 5:49 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Tazewell | 26 min |
| Apr 3, 6:09 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Tazewell | 36 min |
| Apr 3, 6:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Fulton, Mason, Tazewell | 47 min |
| Apr 3, 6:36 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | McLean, Tazewell | 39 min |
| Apr 3, 6:40 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Mason, Tazewell | 35 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.