Alert archive / Illinois / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 252, NWS Chicago, IL
NWS Chicago, IL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 12, 2026, 9:03 AM CDT for Grundy County, Kane County, Kendall County, Illinois. It was in force for 46 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
- Aug 12, 2026, 9:03 AM CDT (14:03 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 12, 2026, 9:49 AM CDT
- In force
- 46 min
- Issued by
- NWS Chicago, IL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Possible
- Damage threat
- Considerable
- Hail
- 0.75 in
- Wind
- 70.0 mph
Counties Grundy County, IL, Kane County, IL, Kendall County, IL
The radar
The Chicago radar (KLOT), 29 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 14:02 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 12, 9:22 AM CDT | TSTM WND GST 65 | 4 Se Seneca, IL | Ambient weather station measured a peak wind gust of 65 mph. |
| Aug 12, 9:30 AM CDT | TSTM WND GST 54 | 3 Nne Verona, IL | Private weather station: 3.3 NNE Verona. |
| Aug 12, 9:36 AM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | Coal City, IL | Report shared via social media of small and medium tree limbs downed around Coal City. Time estimated by radar. |
| Aug 12, 9:37 AM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 3 Nne Morris, IL | power lines down near RT 6 and Ashley 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 severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 19 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 12, 6:41 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 2.1 hours before the alert went out and 149 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
- 2166 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -186 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1652 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 21 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 50 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 54 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
984
WUUS53 KLOT 121403
SVRLOT
ILC063-089-093-121500-
/O.NEW.KLOT.SV.W.0252.260812T1403Z-260812T1500Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville
903 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026
The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Kendall County in northeastern Illinois...
Grundy County in northeastern Illinois...
Southern Kane County in northeastern Illinois...
* Until 1000 AM CDT.
* At 902 AM CDT, a line of severe thunderstorms extended from
Shabbona to Leland to Wedron to Ottawa, and was moving east at 40
to 45 mph.
HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts. The strongest wind gusts are expected
between the Interstate 88 and 80 corridors, particularly
across Kendall County.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to
mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.
* Locations impacted include...
Aurora, Joliet, Plainfield, St. Charles, Oswego, West Chicago,
Batavia, Geneva, Yorkville, Morris, Channahon, Minooka, Plano,
Sandwich, Coal City, Montgomery, North Aurora, Sugar Grove, Boulder
Hill, Elburn, Diamond, Seneca, Mazon, Newark, and Braceville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 4120 8825 4120 8859 4190 8860 4190 8826
TIME...MOT...LOC 1402Z 268DEG 37KT 4179 8899 4168 8893 4152 8885 4142
8884 4134 8886
TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH
$$
Borchardt4 follow-up statements
681
WWUS53 KLOT 121416
SVSLOT
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville
916 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026
ILC063-089-093-121500-
/O.CON.KLOT.SV.W.0252.000000T0000Z-260812T1500Z/
Kendall IL-Grundy IL-Kane IL-
916 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 AM CDT
FOR KENDALL...GRUNDY AND SOUTHERN KANE COUNTIES...
At 915 AM CDT, a line of severe thunderstorms extended from Waterman
to Sandwich to Senica, and was moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts. The strongest wind gusts are expected
between the Interstate 80 and 88 corridors.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Aurora, Joliet, Plainfield, St. Charles, Oswego, West Chicago,
Batavia, Geneva, Yorkville, Morris, Channahon, Minooka, Plano,
Sandwich, Coal City, Montgomery, North Aurora, Sugar Grove, Boulder
Hill, Elburn, Diamond, Seneca, Mazon, Newark, and Braceville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 4120 8825 4120 8859 4190 8860 4190 8826
TIME...MOT...LOC 1415Z 267DEG 40KT 4179 8876 4168 8870 4152 8862 4142
8861 4134 8863
TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Borchardt270
WWUS53 KLOT 121427
SVSLOT
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville
927 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026
ILC063-089-093-121500-
/O.CON.KLOT.SV.W.0252.000000T0000Z-260812T1500Z/
Kendall IL-Grundy IL-Kane IL-
927 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 AM CDT
FOR KENDALL...GRUNDY AND SOUTHERN KANE COUNTIES...
At 927 AM CDT, a line of severe thunderstorms extended from Big Rock
to Lisbon to Mazon, moving east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Trained weather spotters. 60 mph wind gusts were reported
in Grundy County with this storm.
IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Aurora, Joliet, Plainfield, St. Charles, Oswego, West Chicago,
Batavia, Geneva, Yorkville, Morris, Channahon, Minooka, Plano,
Sandwich, Coal City, Montgomery, North Aurora, Sugar Grove, Boulder
Hill, Elburn, Diamond, Seneca, Mazon, Newark, and Braceville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 4120 8825 4120 8859 4190 8860 4190 8826
TIME...MOT...LOC 1427Z 266DEG 39KT 4181 8854 4170 8848 4154 8840 4144
8839 4136 8841
TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Borchardt200
WWUS53 KLOT 121441
SVSLOT
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville
941 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026
ILC063-089-093-121500-
/O.CON.KLOT.SV.W.0252.000000T0000Z-260812T1500Z/
Kendall IL-Grundy IL-Kane IL-
941 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 AM CDT
FOR EASTERN KENDALL...NORTHEASTERN GRUNDY AND SOUTHEASTERN KANE
COUNTIES...
At 940 AM CDT, a line of severe thunderstorms extended from Aurora
to Morris, and was moving east at 45 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Aurora, Joliet, Plainfield, St. Charles, Oswego, West Chicago,
Batavia, Geneva, Yorkville, Morris, Channahon, Minooka, Coal City,
Montgomery, North Aurora, Sugar Grove, Boulder Hill, Elburn, Diamond,
Mazon, Braceville, Godley, Carbon Hill, Plattville, and Bristol.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A tornado watch remains in effect for the warned area. Tornadoes can
develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. Although a tornado is not
immediately likely, if one is spotted act quickly and move to a place
of safety inside a sturdy structure, such as a basement or small
interior room.
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 4120 8825 4120 8847 4152 8845 4172 8846
4190 8848 4190 8826
TIME...MOT...LOC 1440Z 262DEG 39KT 4178 8843 4171 8831 4161 8822 4144
8826 4137 8833
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Borchardt929
WWUS53 KLOT 121449
SVSLOT
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville
949 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026
ILC063-089-093-121459-
/O.CAN.KLOT.SV.W.0252.000000T0000Z-260812T1500Z/
Kendall IL-Grundy IL-Kane IL-
949 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR EASTERN KENDALL...NORTHEASTERN
GRUNDY AND SOUTHEASTERN KANE COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 100 PM CDT for
northeastern Illinois.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Chicago.
&&
LAT...LON 4120 8825 4120 8847 4152 8845 4172 8846
4190 8848 4190 8826
TIME...MOT...LOC 1447Z 268DEG 37KT 4178 8833 4171 8821 4161 8812 4144
8816 4137 8823
$$
BorchardtWhat forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Chicago, IL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Aug 12, 7:19 AM CDT, 1 hour 44 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Isolated strong storms possible early this morning.
- Another fast-moving line of strong/severe thunderstorms is expected later this morning with a damaging wind and heavy rainfall threat.
- Our active, stormy weather pattern is expected to persist into the weekend with periodic chances of severe weather and heavy rainfall which could lead to flooding.
- A period of dry weather may finally arrive early next week.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 12, 7:19 AM CDT, 1 hour 44 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville, IL 719 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Isolated strong storms possible early this morning. - Another fast-moving line of strong/severe thunderstorms is expected later this morning with a damaging wind and heavy rainfall threat. - Our active, stormy weather pattern is expected to persist into the weekend with periodic chances of severe weather and heavy rainfall which could lead to flooding. - A period of dry weather may finally arrive early next week. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 329 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026 Forecast remains complex within our persistent pattern of active weather. Main concern in the near term is the potential for another fast-moving line of wind-producing storms across at least a portion of the area later this morning/midday. A nearly stationary frontal boundary remains in place across the Midwest early this morning, stretching roughly from near Omaha to north of Des Moines to Milwaukee. Complicating the surface pattern however, is the remnant outflow boundary from Tuesday's derecho, which intersects the front near Waterloo, IA and extends southeast and bisects IL along a SQI-BMI-MTO-EVV line. The west/northwest periphery of the cold pool appears to be fairly shallow however, per 00Z DVN and ILX soundings (as compared to ILM farther to the east/southeast). Aloft, a subtle mid-level short wave has been evident in GOES vapor imagery transiting northern IA and entering northwest IL, inducing a modest west-southwest 25-30 kt low level jet from northern MO into northern/central IL/IN. With an axis of 3500-4000 J/kg MUCAPE along/north of the front/outflow boundary across the region, there's been concern since last evening for the potential to develop elevated convection within a northwest- southeast arc across the area (along/northeast of the remnant outflow boundary). So far however, only isolated updraft attempts have been noted and successive CAM runs have backed off considerably in convective coverage across the forecast area through daybreak. That said, we'll have to continue to monitor for any deeper updraft development, as the environment would support the potential for strong elevated storms with a hail threat if they develop. Of greater concern this morning, is an MCS which has been developing southeast from western South Dakota into northern Nebraska overnight in association with an attendant mid-level short wave and MCV. There is notable CAM support indicating this MCS becoming more organized across eastern NE/western IA toward daybreak, then propagating quickly eastward along the aforementioned surface front/outflow boundaries into our IL cwa after 14/15Z (9-10 AM) this morning. While not quite as robust as yesterday's derecho, high-res guidance does explicitly indicate 60-70 mph winds across parts of our forecast area with this MCS. CAMs indicate an easterly propagation of this system across the cwa, though with the remnant outflow likely mixing back north across the southern half of our cwa that may support more of an east-southeast or southeast track as we saw yesterday. SPC has pulled their new Day 1 slight (level 2 of 5) severe risk up to about a Dixon-Renssalear line. It's possible that could be adjusted further if the evolution of the MCS supports it later this morning. For now, will be advertising the severe threat (primarily wind) even a little north of that for this morning/midday. Thunderstorm threat should then diminish markedly from the west into this afternoon in the wake of the MCS and parent short wave. There may be somewhat of a lull in convection coverage/potential tonight into early Thursday morning, depending on the footprint of the anticipated MCS cold pool, and with some weak mid-level height rises indicated in model guidance. Have trimmed pops during this period especially up north along the IL/WI border and Lake Michigan. Another mid- level wave (currently over NV/UT) is then progged move into the region on Thursday which look to increase shower and thunderstorm chances again during the day and with additional rounds through at least Thursday night. These continued rounds of storms will maintain at least a marginal severe threat and a threat of flash flooding if storms train over the same areas. Unfortunately, medium-range guidance continues to depict our active pattern remaining in place across the region into the weekend. There does appear to be decent agreement in the global models/ensembles that high pressure eventually settles across the western Lakes region by Monday-Tuesday of next week, pushing our stalled frontal zone to the south and providing a period of dry weather at that time. Ratzer && .AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/... Issued at 719 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026 Key Messages: - A complex of storms is likely to affect the terminals between mid-morning and mid-afternoon today. Strong to severe wind gusts will be possible with these storms. - IFR/LIFR ceilings and visibilities possible at RFD this morning, while patchy MVFR ceilings remain possible elsewhere. Additional low ceilings and reduced visibilities possible overnight tonight into Thursday morning. An organized thunderstorm complex is entering northern Illinois early this morning and will approach the terminals during the mid-late morning. Some uncertainty remains with whether these storm complex will begin to dive southeastward along an instability gradient or whether it will continue to progress more towards the east and into the heart of the Chicago metro. Current thinking is that the strongest winds with this storm complex (50+ kts) may remain south of the terminals, but the threat for lightning at the Chicago metro terminals remains high enough to maintain the going TEMPO groups. Also maintained a VCTS mention at RFD, but the latest radar trends that the storms should remain south of RFD. Conditions are likely to dry out by mid-afternoon. IFR/LIFR ceilings and some visibility reductions are being observed at/near RFD this morning, while patchy MVFR ceilings are being observed elsewhere at press time. These conditions may stick around for a bit this morning, but a return to prevailing VFR conditions is favored by this afternoon. Persisting rich low-level moisture and light winds may allow for another episode of sub-VFR ceilings and visibilities late tonight into tomorrow morning. The potential for this appears to be greatest at RFD, DPA, and GYY, but based on how some forecast guidance fared poorly with the visibility and low ceiling forecast this morning, confidence in this occurring is only low-medium. Ogorek && .LOT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IL...None. IN...None. LM...None. && Visit us at weather.gov/chicago
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 12, 4:20 AM CDT, 4 hours 43 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville IL
420 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026
ILZ003>006-008-010>013-019>021-023-032-033-039-103>108-INZ001-002-
010-011-019-130930-
Winnebago-Boone-McHenry-Lake IL-Ogle-Lee-De Kalb-Kane-DuPage-
La Salle-Kendall-Grundy-Kankakee-Livingston-Iroquois-Ford-
Northern Cook-Central Cook-Southern Cook-Northern Will-
Southern Will-Eastern Will-Lake IN-Porter-Newton-Jasper-Benton-
420 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026 /520 AM EDT Wed Aug 12 2026/
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Illinois...northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana.
.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight.
Weather hazards expected...
Elevated Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
Level 1 of 5 Tornado Risk.
Level 2 of 5 Damaging Wind Risk...up to 75 mph.
Level 1 of 5 Large Hail Risk...up to quarter size.
Elevated Flooding Risk.
DISCUSSION...
Isolated thunderstorms are possible early this morning, the
strongest of which may be capable of producing brief hail and
localized downpours.
A fast-moving line of strong to severe thunderstorms is then
expected to move east across the area from mid-morning into early
this afternoon. These storms will have the potential to produce
damaging winds and isolated tornadoes, in addition to producing
torrential rains which may lead to localized flooding. At this
time, the greatest risk of severe would appear to be from the I-88
corridor south and eastward.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.
Thursday and Friday...
Elevated Flooding Risk.
Limited Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
Level 1 of 5 Severe Thunderstorm Risk.
Saturday...
Elevated Flooding Risk.
Limited Thunderstorm Risk.
Sunday...
Limited Thunderstorm Risk.
DISCUSSION...
An active weather pattern with periodic thunderstorm chances is
expected to persist into the weekend. Some of these storms may be
strong to severe at times, as well as capable of producing heavy
rainfall which could lead to flash flooding.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotters may be needed from mid-morning into early this
afternoon.
GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:
Moving toward the east-southeast at around 35 mph for early morning
storms. If mid-morning storms form a bowing line, it may move east at
45 to 55 mph.
LMZ740>745-130930-
Winthrop Harbor to Wilmette Harbor IL-
Wilmette Harbor to Northerly Island IL-
Northerly Island to Calumet Harbor IL-
Calumet Harbor IL to Gary IN-Gary to Burns Harbor IN-
Burns Harbor to Michigan City IN-
420 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the Illinois
nearshore waters of Lake Michigan and the Indiana nearshore
waters of Lake Michigan.
.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight.
Weather hazards expected...
Elevated Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
Level 1 of 5 Thunderstorm Wind Gust Risk...up to 60 knots.
Level 1 of 5 Hail Risk...up to quarter size.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.
Thursday...
Limited Thunderstorm Risk.
Friday...
Limited Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
Level 1 of 5 Severe Thunderstorm Risk.
Saturday and Sunday...
Limited Thunderstorm Risk.
Ratzer
Visit us at www.weather.gov/chicagoThe office that day
Everything else NWS Chicago, IL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 11, 8:48 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | LOT | Cook | 43 hr |
| Aug 12, 7:53 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LOT | Lee, Ogle | 66 min |
| Aug 12, 8:23 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LOT | LaSalle | 66 min |
| Aug 12, 8:31 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LOT | DeKalb, Lee, Ogle | 57 min |
| Aug 12, 8:37 AM CDT | Tornado Warning | LOT | LaSalle | 38 min |
| Aug 12, 9:06 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | LOT | DeKalb, Grundy, Kendall, LaSalle, Livingston | 3 hr |
| Aug 12, 9:26 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LOT | Cook, DuPage, Kankakee, Will | 64 min |
| Aug 12, 9:27 AM CDT | Special Marine Warning | LOT | 2 hr | |
| Aug 12, 9:29 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | LOT | Cook, Kankakee, Will | 3 hr |
| Aug 12, 9:37 AM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | LOT | Grundy, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Will | 3 hr |
| Aug 12, 10:14 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LOT | Iroquois, Kankakee | 61 min |
| Aug 12, 12:17 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | LOT | Cook, Grundy, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Will | 118 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Illinois, 2026Every severe thunderstorm warning 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.