Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 13, NWS Chicago, IL
NWS Chicago, IL issued this tornado warning at Apr 15, 2026, 5:32 PM CDT for Ogle County, Illinois. It was in force for 26 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 15, 2026, 5:32 PM CDT (22:32 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 15, 2026, 5:58 PM CDT
- In force
- 26 min
- Issued by
- NWS Chicago, IL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.0 in
County Ogle County, IL
The radar
The Milwaukee radar (KMKX), 112 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:33 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 15, 5:50 PM CDT | FUNNEL CLOUD | 1 Ssw Stillman Valley, IL | Funnel cloud via broadcast media. |
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, 10.5 hours before the alert went out and 225 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
- 534 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -62 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 925 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 43 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -28 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 81 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- -0.1
- Supercell composite
- -0.4
The text
As transmitted.
081
WFUS53 KLOT 152232
TORLOT
ILC141-152315-
/O.NEW.KLOT.TO.W.0013.260415T2232Z-260415T2315Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville
532 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Central Ogle County in north central Illinois...
* Until 615 PM CDT.
* At 532 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Oregon, moving northeast at 30 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...
Oregon around 535 PM CDT.
Byron around 545 PM CDT.
Stillman Valley around 550 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 4220 8936 4220 8917 4215 8917 4215 8911
4194 8935 4195 8939
TIME...MOT...LOC 2232Z 214DEG 25KT 4197 8935
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
Borchardt3 follow-up statements
714
WWUS53 KLOT 152239
SVSLOT
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville
539 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
ILC141-152315-
/O.CON.KLOT.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260415T2315Z/
Ogle IL-
539 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM CDT FOR NORTH
CENTRAL OGLE COUNTY...
At 538 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located between Oregon and Chana, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. This storm has a history of
producing a funnel cloud.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Byron around 545 PM CDT.
Stillman Valley around 550 PM CDT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4220 8932 4220 8917 4215 8917 4215 8911
4199 8929 4199 8933
TIME...MOT...LOC 2238Z 215DEG 25KT 4200 8929
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
Borchardt797
WWUS53 KLOT 152249
SVSLOT
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville
549 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
ILC141-152315-
/O.CON.KLOT.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260415T2315Z/
Ogle IL-
549 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM CDT FOR NORTH
CENTRAL OGLE COUNTY...
At 548 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located between Byron and Stillman Valley, moving northeast at
30 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. This storm previously produced a
funnel cloud near Oregon.
IMPACT...Expect damage to mobile homes, roofs, and vehicles.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Byron and Stillman Valley around 555 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 4220 8924 4220 8917 4215 8917 4215 8911
4202 8925 4203 8928
TIME...MOT...LOC 2248Z 214DEG 25KT 4206 8924
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
Borchardt913
WWUS53 KLOT 152258
SVSLOT
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville
558 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
ILC141-152307-
/O.CAN.KLOT.TO.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260415T2315Z/
Ogle IL-
558 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL OGLE COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
&&
LAT...LON 4220 8924 4220 8917 4215 8917 4215 8911
4202 8925 4203 8928
TIME...MOT...LOC 2256Z 214DEG 25KT 4212 8919
$$
BorchardtWhat 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 Chicago, IL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Apr 15, 2:57 PM CDT, 2 hours 35 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Additional period of showers and thunderstorms expected this evening. Some could be strong and produce heavy rainfall leading to localized flash flooding.
- A brief break in the pattern is expected late Thursday into the day on Friday before another storm system arrives Friday evening into early Saturday.
- Cooler air arrives into early next week and may bring frost/freeze concerns early Sunday and Monday mornings.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 15, 2:57 PM CDT, 2 hours 35 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville, IL
257 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Additional period of showers and thunderstorms expected this
evening. Some could be strong and produce heavy rainfall
leading to localized flash flooding.
- A brief break in the pattern is expected late Thursday into
the day on Friday before another storm system arrives Friday
evening into early Saturday.
- Cooler air arrives into early next week and may bring
frost/freeze concerns early Sunday and Monday mornings.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 257 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
Through Thursday...
The primary weather focus in the near continues to revolve
around the expectation for additional rounds of showers and
thunderstorms, particularly this evening.
A recent surface analysis indicates that an area of low
pressure resides across southeastern NE, with an associated
surface cold front extending south-southwestward into the TX
Panhandle. While our area has remained cloudy, increased
insolation west of the area in the vicinity of the surface low
and frontal boundary continues to destabilize the very moist
(dew points in the low to mid 60s) low-level prefrontal airmass
across MO into south central IA. This will set the stage for
additional thunderstorm development mid to late this afternoon
west of our area as increased forcing for ascent associated with
the mid-level impulse ejecting into the Mid-Missouri Valley
overspreads the frontal boundary. After storms onset, a gradual
upward growth into an MCS is anticipated this evening as they
shift eastward across the Mississippi river. It appears the
primary severe weather threat with these storms will be west of
our area, with storms likely to be on a weakening trend as they
progress eastward across northern IL during the mid to late
evening hours. Nevertheless, a continued favorable kinematic
environment overhead may continue to support a threat for
localized strong wind gusts with the weakening line of storms.
Heavy rainfall is expected to accompany these storms through
the evening, and this does continue to add concerns for possible
hydro concerns tonight. However, it appears the heaviest rain
rates may remain more progressive with the moving line of storms
tonight. Accordingly, it appears the threat for significant
flash flooding is lower than previously thought. Nevertheless,
areas across far northern IL that received heavy rainfall last
night will be most at risk for additional flooding concerns.,
With this in mind, we have opted to hold onto the going flash
flood watch for this evening.
Shower and thunderstorm coverage is expected to become more
widely scattered overnight tonight into Thursday as the main
mid-level impulse shifts overhead. As an afternoon lake breeze
develops and pushes inland across northeastern IL and
northwestern IN Thursday afternoon in the wake of the surface
low, this may act as a focus for additional isolated shower
activity for a few hours Thursday afternoon. Outside of this,
conditions will be drying out Thursday afternoon and evening.
KJB
Friday - Saturday:
Strong southerly warm and moist convection will return into the
day on Friday ahead of an approaching cold front. This boundary
is expected to progress across the area sometime late Friday
into early Saturday morning paired with a line of thunderstorms,
some of which could be severe. Suspect that less favorable
diurnal timing of any lingering storms into the morning on
Saturday may limit the overall severe threat here locally before
storms reintensify east of the area into the rest of the day.
Stay tuned!
Saturday night onward:
In the wake of the early Saturday cold front, a much colder
airmass (relative to what we have had over the past several
days) will settle into the region over the weekend. Overnight
low temperatures may drop into the 30s, with some near to sub-
freezing temperatures possible across interior northern
Illinois. Lighter winds in place Sunday night may allow for
frost development outside of Chicago and will be something for
those with agricultural interests to monitor over the next few
days.
The cooler conditions will be rather short-lived with extended
guidance favoring a return toward high amplitude ridging across
the central CONUS and unseasonably warm temperatures returning
to the region by midweek next week.
Petr
&&
.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1245 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
Key Aviation Messages for the current TAF period:
- Lingering VFR showers through this afternoon with gusty
southwest winds
- Two rounds of storms with better chances at/near terminals
late this afternoon through midnight. Some of these storms
could be strong to severe.
- Weaker showers fester through tomorrow morning.
- Wind shift to the northeast tomorrow afternoon
A surface low, currently analyzed just north of Kansas City,
Missouri, will move east-northeast through today and the
overnight. This low will be the driving force behind the shower
and storm threat tonight. In the meantime, weak rain showers
persist this afternoon out ahead of it. Winds will remain out of
the southwest through most of the TAF window, with persistent
gusts 20 to 25 knots, not diminishing until after midnight.
As the low moves closer, it will push a warm front northward
through Illinois for the first wave of showers and thunderstorms
this evening. There could be a dry slot for a couple hours, but
then as the low passes north of the area, it will drag a cold
front across northern Illinois for a second round of showers and
thunderstorms across the airspace. Some of these storms could
become strong to even severe, producing hail and erratic,
strong wind gusts.
As the front moves east, showers could fester through the
morning. There is lower confidence in ceiling trends due to
model disagreement, but erred more cynical behind the low and
forecasted widespread MVFR conditions across the region through
the morning. Winds will become more westerly in the morning, but
as the low continues its journey east of the area, models are
suggesting a weak front will be sent southward across Lake
Michigan and switch winds over to the northeast tomorrow
afternoon.
DK
&&
.LOT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IL...Flood Watch until 1 AM CDT Thursday for ILZ003-ILZ004-ILZ005-
ILZ006-ILZ008-ILZ010-ILZ011-ILZ012-ILZ013-ILZ019-ILZ020-
ILZ021-ILZ023-ILZ032-ILZ103-ILZ104-ILZ105-ILZ106-ILZ107-
ILZ108.
IN...Flood Watch until 1 AM CDT Thursday for INZ001-INZ002-INZ010-
INZ011.
LM...None.
&&
Visit us at weather.gov/chicagoHazardous weather outlook, Apr 15, 3:21 PM CDT, 2 hours 11 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville IL
321 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026
ILZ003>006-008-010>013-019>021-023-032-033-039-103>108-INZ001-002-
010-011-019-162030-
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-
321 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 2026 /421 PM EDT Wed Apr 15 2026/
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Illinois...northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana.
.DAY ONE...Tonight.
Weather hazards expected...
Elevated Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
Level 2 of 5 Damaging Wind Risk...up to 60 mph.
Level 2 of 5 Large Hail Risk...up to quarter size.
Level 1 of 5 Tornado Risk.
Elevated Flooding Risk..
DISCUSSION...
An additional period of thunderstorms are expected, particularly
this evening. Some of these storms may be strong to severe and
produce locally heavy rainfall.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.
Thursday...
Limited Thunderstorm Risk.
Friday evening into early Saturday morning...
Limited Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
Level 2 of 5 Severe Thunderstorm Risk.
Sunday Night...
Elevated Frost Risk.
DISCUSSION...
An additional period of storms is expected Friday evening into
early Saturday morning.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotters may be needed at times through this evening.
GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:
Moving toward the east-northeast at 40 to 45 mph.
LMZ740>745-162030-
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-
321 PM CDT Wed Apr 15 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...Tonight.
Weather hazards expected...
Elevated Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
Thunderstorm Waterspout Risk
Level 2 of 5 Thunderstorm Wind Gust Risk...up to 50 knots.
Level 2 of 5 Hail Risk...up to quarter size.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.
Thursday and Friday...
Limited Thunderstorm Risk.
Saturday through Tuesday...
Hazardous conditions for small craft are likely.
KJB
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 14, 7:11 PM CDT | Flood Watch | LOT | Boone, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane and 10 more | 30 hr |
| Apr 14, 7:59 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LOT | Ogle, Winnebago | 61 min |
| Apr 14, 8:12 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LOT | Boone, McHenry | 78 min |
| Apr 14, 8:20 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | LOT | Winnebago | 25 min |
| Apr 14, 8:29 PM CDT | Special Marine Warning | LOT | 2 hr | |
| Apr 14, 8:37 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | LOT | Boone, Winnebago | 3 hr |
| Apr 14, 8:48 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LOT | Lake | 57 min |
| Apr 14, 8:57 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LOT | Winnebago | 48 min |
| Apr 14, 9:16 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LOT | DeKalb, Kane | 44 min |
| Apr 14, 9:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LOT | Cook, DuPage, Lake, McHenry | 62 min |
| Apr 14, 9:33 PM CDT | Special Marine Warning | LOT | 117 min | |
| Apr 14, 9:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LOT | DeKalb | 18 min |
| Apr 14, 9:53 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LOT | Kane | 37 min |
| Apr 14, 10:19 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | LOT | Cook, DuPage | 5 hr |
| Apr 14, 10:27 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LOT | Cook, DuPage | 48 min |
| Apr 14, 10:33 PM CDT | River Flood Watch | LOT | Lake | 6 hr |
| Apr 14, 10:37 PM CDT | River Flood Watch | LOT | Bureau, LaSalle, Putnam | 21 days |
| Apr 14, 10:51 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | LOT | Cook, DuPage | 3 hr |
| Apr 14, 11:28 PM CDT | Special Marine Warning | LOT | 2 hr | |
| Apr 15, 12:24 AM CDT | River Flood Watch | LOT | Cook | 21 days |
| Apr 15, 12:24 AM CDT | River Flood Watch | LOT | Cook, Lake | 21 days |
| Apr 15, 12:24 AM CDT | River Flood Watch | LOT | Lake | 6 hr |
| Apr 15, 2:48 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LOT | Boone, McHenry | 42 min |
| Apr 15, 3:51 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | LOT | Lake | 3 hr |
| Apr 15, 4:22 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | LOT | Lake | 11 days |
| Apr 15, 6:19 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | LOT | Lake | 10 days |
| Apr 15, 10:32 AM CDT | River Flood Watch | LOT | Cook | 26 hr |
| Apr 15, 10:32 AM CDT | River Flood Watch | LOT | Cook | 12 hr |
| Apr 15, 10:32 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | LOT | Cook | 10 days |
| Apr 15, 10:32 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | LOT | Cook, Lake | 10 days |
| Apr 15, 10:43 AM CDT | River Flood Watch | LOT | LaSalle | 11 hr |
| Apr 15, 10:43 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | LOT | Kane, Kendall | 11 hr |
| Apr 15, 11:42 AM CDT | River Flood Watch | LOT | Winnebago | 20 hr |
| Apr 15, 11:42 AM CDT | River Flood Watch | LOT | Winnebago | 23 hr |
| Apr 15, 11:42 AM CDT | River Flood Watch | LOT | Ogle, Winnebago | 24 hr |
| Apr 15, 11:52 AM CDT | River Flood Watch | LOT | Winnebago | 24 hr |
| Apr 15, 11:52 AM CDT | River Flood Watch | LOT | Boone, Winnebago | 20 hr |
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.