Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 40, NWS Lincoln, IL
NWS Lincoln, IL issued this tornado warning at Apr 3, 2026, 5:49 PM CDT for Tazewell County, Illinois. It was in force for 26 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, 5:49 PM CDT (22:49 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 3, 2026, 6:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 26 min
- Issued by
- NWS Lincoln, IL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 2.0 in
County Tazewell County, IL
The radar
The Lincoln radar (KILX), 37 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:50 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, 6:02 PM CDT | TORNADO | 3 Sw Hopedale, IL | tornado touched down then lifted, rotating wall cloud shortly after. |
| Apr 3, 6:03 PM CDT | TORNADO | 4 Sw Hopedale, IL | |
| Apr 3, 6:11 PM CDT | HAIL 0.88 | 1 Ese Tremont, IL | |
| Apr 3, 6:17 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | 3 Sse Tremont, IL |
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 2 storm reports to this tornado warning; the first came 13 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 3, 5:18 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 4 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 10.8 hours before the alert went out and 87 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.
618
WFUS53 KILX 032249
TORILX
ILC179-032315-
/O.NEW.KILX.TO.W.0040.260403T2249Z-260403T2315Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
549 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southeastern Tazewell County in central Illinois...
* Until 615 PM CDT.
* At 549 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Green Valley, or 11 miles south of Pekin, moving
northeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and hail up to two inches in diameter.
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...
Delavan around 555 PM CDT.
This includes Interstate 155 between mile markers 14 and 26.
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 4035 8964 4046 8967 4052 8960 4055 8947
4036 8935
TIME...MOT...LOC 2249Z 235DEG 16KT 4040 8961
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN
$$
MJA1 follow-up statement
318
WWUS53 KILX 032301
SVSILX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
601 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
ILC179-032315-
/O.CON.KILX.TO.W.0040.000000T0000Z-260403T2315Z/
Tazewell-
601 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN TAZEWELL COUNTY...
At 601 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Hopedale, or 13
miles southeast of Pekin, moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado and two inch hail.
SOURCE...At 6:00pm, broadcast media confirmed tornado.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This tornado will be near...
Hopedale around 605 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Dillon.
This includes Interstate 155 between mile markers 15 and 25.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4038 8954 4044 8958 4051 8957 4054 8946
4036 8935
TIME...MOT...LOC 2301Z 246DEG 20KT 4042 8947
TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN
$$
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, 4 hours 12 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, 4 hours 12 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, 4 hours 9 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
In the hours before
Local storm report, Apr 3, 5:17 PM CDT, 32 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
517 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0515 PM Funnel Cloud 2 SE Topeka 40.33N 89.89W
04/03/2026 Mason IL Trained Spotter
Funnel cloud reported southwest of Forest
City.
&&
RACLocal storm report, Apr 3, 5:21 PM CDT, 28 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
521 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0521 PM Hail Manito 40.43N 89.78W
04/03/2026 E1.00 Inch Mason IL Broadcast Media
&&
RACLocal storm report, Apr 3, 5:23 PM CDT, 26 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
523 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0523 PM Hail Forest City 40.37N 89.83W
04/03/2026 M2.00 Inch Mason IL Broadcast Media
&&
RACLocal storm report, Apr 3, 5:39 PM CDT, 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
539 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0527 PM Funnel Cloud 5 SE Union 40.35N 89.73W
04/03/2026 Mason IL Public
&&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, 5:00 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Logan, Mason, Tazewell | 30 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, 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.