Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 42, NWS Lincoln, IL
NWS Lincoln, IL issued this tornado warning at Apr 3, 2026, 6:36 PM CDT for McLean County, Tazewell County, Illinois. It was in force for 39 min. 1 report 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, 6:36 PM CDT (23:36 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 3, 2026, 7:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 39 min
- Issued by
- NWS Lincoln, IL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.5 in
Counties McLean County, IL, Tazewell County, IL
The radar
The Lincoln radar (KILX), 42 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:36 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, 7:18 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | Danvers, 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 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, 11.6 hours before the alert went out and 60 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.
528
WFUS53 KILX 032336
TORILX
ILC113-179-040015-
/O.NEW.KILX.TO.W.0042.260403T2336Z-260404T0015Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
636 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
East central Tazewell County in central Illinois...
West central McLean County in central Illinois...
* Until 715 PM CDT.
* At 635 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Stanford, or 14 miles west of Normal, moving east
at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. At 6:35 pm, trained weather
spotters reported a rotating wall cloud. This storm has
a history of producing brief tornadoes.
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...
Danvers and Stanford around 640 PM CDT.
Bloomington and Normal around 655 PM CDT.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 39 between mile markers 0 and 5.
Interstate 55 between mile markers 155 and 171.
Interstate 74 between mile markers 120 and 138.
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 4043 8930 4058 8932 4061 8889 4042 8888
TIME...MOT...LOC 2335Z 266DEG 21KT 4047 8926
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
$$
MJA3 follow-up statements
258
WWUS53 KILX 032350
SVSILX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
650 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
ILC113-179-040015-
/O.CON.KILX.TO.W.0042.000000T0000Z-260404T0015Z/
Tazewell-McLean-
650 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN TAZEWELL AND WEST CENTRAL MCLEAN COUNTIES...
At 650 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Danvers, or 8 miles west of Normal, moving east at
20 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and half dollar size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Bloomington and Normal around 655 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Central Illinois Regional Airport.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 39 between mile markers 0 and 4.
Interstate 55 between mile markers 159 and 171.
Interstate 74 between mile markers 120 and 131.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4048 8926 4058 8928 4061 8889 4047 8888
TIME...MOT...LOC 2350Z 266DEG 21KT 4048 8914
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
$$
MJA250
WWUS53 KILX 040003
SVSILX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
703 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
ILC179-040013-
/O.CAN.KILX.TO.W.0042.000000T0000Z-260404T0015Z/
Tazewell-
703 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN TAZEWELL 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 1000 PM CDT for central
Illinois.
&&
LAT...LON 4054 8923 4058 8925 4060 8908 4055 8909
TIME...MOT...LOC 0003Z 266DEG 21KT 4049 8904
$$
ILC113-040015-
/O.CON.KILX.TO.W.0042.000000T0000Z-260404T0015Z/
McLean-
703 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR WEST
CENTRAL MCLEAN COUNTY...
At 703 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Danvers, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
west central McLean County.
This includes Interstate 74 between mile markers 120 and 123.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4054 8923 4058 8925 4060 8908 4055 8909
TIME...MOT...LOC 0003Z 266DEG 21KT 4049 8904
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
MJA147 WWUS53 KILX 040010 SVSILX Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Lincoln IL 710 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 ILC113-040020- /O.EXP.KILX.TO.W.0042.000000T0000Z-260404T0015Z/ McLean- 710 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR WEST CENTRAL MCLEAN COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 715 PM CDT... The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for central Illinois. && LAT...LON 4054 8923 4058 8925 4060 8908 4055 8909 TIME...MOT...LOC 0010Z 266DEG 21KT 4049 8900 $$ MJA
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 3, 6:19 PM CDT, 17 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, 6:19 PM CDT, 17 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 619 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 /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 618 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 Cluster of strong/severe storms is moving NE and will be impacting KPIA before 00z, and likely stay just west of KBMI. Wind gusts near 50 knots possible with the strongest storms. Main threat for more widespread thunder activity will mainly be in the 06-10z time frame from west to east, as a cold front moves through the area. Outside of the storms, there will be a period of IFR or low MVFR ceilings behind the front, mainly from about 10-18z. Steady improvement is expected around midday. Expect southerly winds to become west behind the front late tonight, with gusts 20-25 knots persisting through much of Saturday. && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && KEY MESSAGES...Geelhart DISCUSSION...Geelhart AVIATION...Geelhart
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 3, 1:40 PM CDT, 4 hours 56 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, 5:23 PM CDT, 1 hour 13 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, 57 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
&&Local storm report, Apr 3, 6:05 PM CDT, 31 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
605 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0603 PM Tornado 4 SW Hopedale 40.39N 89.47W
04/03/2026 Tazewell IL Trained Spotter
&&
RACLocal storm report, Apr 3, 6:07 PM CDT, 29 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
607 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0602 PM Tornado 3 SW Hopedale 40.39N 89.46W
04/03/2026 Tazewell IL Emergency Mngr
tornado touched down then lifted, rotating
wall cloud shortly after.
&&Local storm report, Apr 3, 6:13 PM CDT, 23 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
613 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0611 PM Hail 1 ESE Tremont 40.52N 89.48W
04/03/2026 M0.88 Inch Tazewell IL NWS Employee
&&Local storm report, Apr 3, 6:21 PM CDT, 15 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
621 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0617 PM Hail 3 SSE Tremont 40.49N 89.47W
04/03/2026 E1.00 Inch Tazewell IL NWS Employee
&&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, 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, 6:40 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.