Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 76, NWS Chicago, IL

August 12, 2026LaSalle County, Illinois

NWS Chicago, IL issued this tornado warning at Aug 12, 2026, 8:37 AM CDT for LaSalle County, Illinois. It was in force for 38 min. 3 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, 8:37 AM CDT (13:37 UTC)
Expired
Aug 12, 2026, 9:15 AM CDT
In force
38 min
Issued by
NWS Chicago, IL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.0 in

County LaSalle County, IL

The radar

The Chicago radar (KLOT), 72 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 13:35 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Aug 12, 8:42 AM CDTTSTM WND DMG4 E Arlington, ILLarge branched downed at property on west side of County Line Road. Time estimated using radar.
Aug 12, 8:58 AM CDTTSTM WND DMG1 N Wedron, ILReport of downed tree limbs and flattened corn. Time estimated by radar.
Aug 12, 9:02 AM CDTTSTM WND GST 534 Nnw Naplate, ILPrivate weather station: 4.2 NNW Naplate.

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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Aug 12, 6:41 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Davenport, (KDVN), launched 12:00Z, 1.6 hours before the alert went out and 130 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Davenport, at 12:00Z on 2026-08-12Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 4572 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Davenport, at 12:00Z on 2026-08-12The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -14 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
4572 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-27 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
679 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
30 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-14 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
37 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.5
Supercell composite
3.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

740 
WFUS53 KLOT 121337
TORLOT
ILC099-121415-
/O.NEW.KLOT.TO.W.0076.260812T1337Z-260812T1415Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville
837 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northern La Salle County in north central Illinois...

* Until 915 AM CDT.

* At 836 AM CDT, severe thunderstorms capable of producing both
  tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage were located near
  Mendota, moving east at 50 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.

* These dangerous storms will be near...
  Serena around 900 AM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Prairie Center, Norway, Triumph, Millington, Harding, Troy Grove,
Dayton, and Wedron.

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 4163 8917 4163 8860 4132 8859 4135 8917
TIME...MOT...LOC 1336Z 276DEG 44KT 4148 8917 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

Izzi
4 follow-up statements
601 
WWUS53 KLOT 121346 RRA
SVSLOT

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville
846 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

ILC099-121415-
/O.CON.KLOT.TO.W.0076.000000T0000Z-260812T1415Z/
La Salle IL-
846 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 AM CDT FOR NORTHERN
LA SALLE COUNTY...

At 846 AM CDT, a severe squall line capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage was located 7 miles
southeast of Mendota, moving east at 45 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.

These dangerous storms will be near...
  Serena around 900 AM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Prairie Center, Norway, Triumph, Millington, Harding, Troy Grove,
Dayton, and Wedron.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and 
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the 
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest 
floor of a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4163 8917 4163 8860 4132 8859 4135 8913
TIME...MOT...LOC 1346Z 275DEG 41KT 4147 8903 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

Izzi
559 
WWUS53 KLOT 121356
SVSLOT

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville
856 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

ILC099-121415-
/O.CON.KLOT.TO.W.0076.000000T0000Z-260812T1415Z/
La Salle IL-
856 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 AM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN LA SALLE COUNTY...

At 856 AM CDT, a severe squall line capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage was located near
Ottawa, moving east at 45 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.

These dangerous storms will be near...
  Ottawa around 900 AM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Prairie Center, Millington, Harding, Norway, Dayton, and Wedron.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and 
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the 
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest 
floor of a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4163 8898 4163 8860 4132 8859 4134 8896
TIME...MOT...LOC 1356Z 278DEG 41KT 4144 8889 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

Izzi
214 
WWUS53 KLOT 121407
SVSLOT

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville
907 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

ILC099-121415-
/O.CON.KLOT.TO.W.0076.000000T0000Z-260812T1415Z/
La Salle IL-
907 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 AM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN LA SALLE COUNTY...

At 907 AM CDT, a severe squall line capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage was located over
Leland, or near Sheridan, moving east at 50 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.

These dangerous storms will be near...
  Sheridan, Lake Holiday, and Somonauk around 910 AM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Millington, Norway, Dayton, and Wedron.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest
floor of a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4163 8883 4163 8860 4132 8859 4133 8879
TIME...MOT...LOC 1407Z 271DEG 44KT 4159 8876 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

Izzi
505 
WWUS53 KLOT 121414
SVSLOT

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville
914 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

ILC099-121422-
/O.EXP.KLOT.TO.W.0076.000000T0000Z-260812T1415Z/
La Salle IL-
914 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN LA SALLE COUNTY WILL EXPIRE
AT 915 AM CDT...

The circulation within the line of severe storms has weakened and a 
tornado no longer appears imminent, therefore, the warning will be 
allowed to expire.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 100 PM CDT for
north central and northeastern Illinois.

Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for 
eastern LaSalle County until 945 AM CDT. 

&&

LAT...LON 4163 8883 4163 8860 4132 8859 4133 8879
TIME...MOT...LOC 1412Z 276DEG 44KT 4159 8872 

$$

Izzi

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 Chicago, IL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Aug 12, 7:19 AM CDT, 1 hour 18 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 18 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 17 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/chicago

The office that day

Everything else NWS Chicago, IL issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 11, 8:48 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningLOTCook43 hr
Aug 12, 7:53 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLOTLee, Ogle66 min
Aug 12, 8:23 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLOTLaSalle66 min
Aug 12, 8:31 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLOTDeKalb, Lee, Ogle57 min
Aug 12, 9:03 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatLOTGrundy, Kane, Kendall46 min
Aug 12, 9:06 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryLOTDeKalb, Grundy, Kendall, LaSalle, Livingston3 hr
Aug 12, 9:26 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLOTCook, DuPage, Kankakee, Will64 min
Aug 12, 9:27 AM CDTSpecial Marine WarningLOT2 hr
Aug 12, 9:29 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryLOTCook, Kankakee, Will3 hr
Aug 12, 9:37 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningLOTGrundy, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Will3 hr
Aug 12, 10:14 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLOTIroquois, Kankakee61 min
Aug 12, 12:17 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryLOTCook, Grundy, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Will118 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.