Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 76, NWS Chicago, IL
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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 12, 8:42 AM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 4 E Arlington, IL | Large branched downed at property on west side of County Line Road. Time estimated using radar. |
| Aug 12, 8:58 AM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 1 N Wedron, IL | Report of downed tree limbs and flattened corn. Time estimated by radar. |
| Aug 12, 9:02 AM CDT | TSTM WND GST 53 | 4 Nnw Naplate, IL | Private 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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 12, 6:41 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 6 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.
- 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
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
$$
Izzi4 follow-up statements
601
WWUS53 KLOT 121346 RRA
SVSLOT
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville
846 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026
ILC099-121415-
/O.CON.KLOT.TO.W.0076.000000T0000Z-260812T1415Z/
La Salle IL-
846 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 AM CDT FOR NORTHERN
LA SALLE COUNTY...
At 846 AM CDT, a severe squall line capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage was located 7 miles
southeast of Mendota, moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
These dangerous storms will be near...
Serena around 900 AM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Prairie Center, Norway, Triumph, Millington, Harding, Troy Grove,
Dayton, and Wedron.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest
floor of a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4163 8917 4163 8860 4132 8859 4135 8913
TIME...MOT...LOC 1346Z 275DEG 41KT 4147 8903
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
Izzi559
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
$$
Izzi214
WWUS53 KLOT 121407
SVSLOT
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville
907 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026
ILC099-121415-
/O.CON.KLOT.TO.W.0076.000000T0000Z-260812T1415Z/
La Salle IL-
907 AM CDT Wed Aug 12 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 AM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN LA SALLE COUNTY...
At 907 AM CDT, a severe squall line capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage was located over
Leland, or near Sheridan, moving east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
These dangerous storms will be near...
Sheridan, Lake Holiday, and Somonauk around 910 AM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Millington, Norway, Dayton, and Wedron.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest
floor of a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4163 8883 4163 8860 4132 8859 4133 8879
TIME...MOT...LOC 1407Z 271DEG 44KT 4159 8876
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
$$
Izzi505 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/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, 9:03 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | LOT | Grundy, Kane, Kendall | 46 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
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.