Significant severe storms on the afternoon and evening of April 14th brought numerous reports of large hail, damaging wind, and multiple tornadoes. S.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS DVN wrote it up.
Significant severe storms on the afternoon and evening of April 14th brought numerous reports of large hail, damaging wind, and multiple tornadoes. The U.S. Hwy 20 corridor saw a long lived supercell that producing large hail (up to baseball size), damaging wind (88 mph gust at the Dubuque Airport), and several tornadoes. Additional storms developed further south between I-80 and Hwy 20 that brought large hail and a photogenic tornado near Onslow, IA.
More storms quickly followed overnight and again on the next day, April 15th, bringing heavy rain, large hail, and isolated wind damage. Rainfall amounts over 1.5 were common north of I-80, with the highest totals over 3.5 seen in northwest IL. This caused a mudslide on Hwy 84 in Carroll County closing the road for an extended period of time.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Quad Cities, IA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 14, 5:37 PM CST, 1 hour earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 637 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Strong to severe storms are likely (some significant severe possible) through the evening, with highest confidence in coverage along the Highway 20 corridor and lower confidence on the southern extent. We have an Enhanced (level 3/5) Risk for Severe Weather for our north, and Slight Risk (level 2/5) south. - Widespread showers and storms are expected Wednesday, with multiple rounds possible. Severe weather will be possible again, especially in the afternoon and evening. SPC highlighted the whole area in a Slight Risk (level 2/5) for severe weather. - A stronger surface low and cold front will work through the region on Friday, bringing along another potential bout of severe weather. SPC currently has much of our area in an Enhanced Risk (level 3/5) for severe weather. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/... Issued at 130 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026 An active forecast lies ahead, with current SPC outlooks highlighting areas along/north of Interstate 80 in an Enhanced (level 3/5) Risk for severe weather, with a Slight Risk (level 2/5) south. Features that we are watching as potential points for convective initiation will be subtle outflow boundaries over the area, resulting from overnight convection. Also, we will have a stationary boundary draped over/near our northern counties along Highway 20. This stationary boundary will be the area of most concern, as it will provide the necessary surface forcing for convective initiation. Further, we will see the LLJ increase in magnitude later this afternoon and through the evening, converging near that boundary. Thus, there will be plenty of forcing in our north for thunderstorm potential. We are looking at the potential for discrete supercell storms, where coverage may increase in the evening hours owing to the strengthening LLJ. Below, we will dive into timing and environmental details. The main forecast challenge lies with the location and timing of convection, owing to the cap in place over the area. Best chances to see storms this afternoon/evening will be along and north of the Highway 20 corridor, where we will see the best forcing to overcome the cap. Although, our whole outlook is highlighted for severe weather for a reason. Even though areas south of the Highway 20 corridor are capped, there are ways in which we can break through that cap. Looking at 12z CAMs, the cap does seem to be a little weaker than initially forecast, where some CAMs are starting to hint at late afternoon storms developing farther south than the Highway 20 corridor. Further, the latest runs of the HRRR and other high-res CAMs are starting to indicate more coverage of potential supercells, especially closer to the I-80 corridor. This is generally showing the possibility of a broken line of supercells moving west to east from mid-afternoon and through the evening. Thus, mesoscale analysis through the afternoon will be crucial, closely monitoring the extent of surface heating, moisture, along with any sources of mesoscale lift. As was mentioned, an outflow boundary from the morning convection can be in play. This has generally set up along the Interstate 80 corridor this morning, which may be a potential source of forcing necessary. This feature has become more diffuse, but still may serve as a point for initiation, especially with a strengthening LLJ. Timing wise, we are generally looking at the potential for storms to develop as early as 3PM and the severe threat lasting until around 10PM. Storms are expected to move west- east through the evening. Now, let's dive into the environment that we have in place. As was mentioned, initiation will largely be conditional on surface forcing, with best forcing in our north along the stationary front. Along and south of that boundary, the open warm sector is primed for severe convection, with the cap being the limiting factor. We will see deep layer shear around 45-55 KTs. This will couple with instability around 2500-3500+ CAPE, favorable for organized strong/severe convection. The environment is favoring supercell thunderstorms as the main convective mode. The decreased upper level support should help keep these more discrete at least through the afternoon, with a strengthening LLJ late in the afternoon increasing coverage. This CAPE profile is also quite large in the hail growth layer, with midlevel lapse rates of 7.5-8.5 C/km favoring large hail potential, with some very large hail possible. This increased hail potential has been noted by the SPC. Otherwise, while the deep layer shear is moderate-high, much of this will be seen in the lowest 3km, where the best curvature in model hodographs are seen. Thus, strong LLVL shear will also be favorable for tornadoes as well, some of which could be stronger and longer lived. In the end, all hazards are in play, with hail and tornadoes being the primary threat. A quick look at our 18z sounding would indicate higher instability is in place, with CAPE around 4000+, along with shear nearing 50 KTs. Thus, a supercell environment is in place. Along with that, our lapse rates are around 9.5 just above the cap, which is more than favorable for severe hail, some of which may be significantly severe. Now, as was forecast, a cap does remain in place. Although, it is not a strong cap, with CIN sitting around -50. Any further heating and mesoscale forcing should be able to overcome this cap. This has been hinted in latest runs in CAMs, showing an increased coverage of storms later this afternoon and evening. Tonight, we will continue to see the potential for showers/storms as the LLJ remains overhead and better forcing aloft moves in. Cloud cover will remain through the night, moderating temperatures in the 60s. While the overall severe threat will be lower overnight, some guidance hints at some wind/hail potential, but confidence is low. Tomorrow, we will see another chance for severe weather, with a Slight Risk (level 2/5) for the whole area. A similar environment will be in place tomorrow, but a little less on the instability owing to more cloud cover. Although, it will remain sufficient for convection. The main difference tomorrow will be the surface low and associated cold front passing through. Thus, plenty of surface forcing and better upper level support moving in. With such forcing in play, we are expecting more coverage of storms, especially in the afternoon and evening hours. Storm mode looks to be mixed, with initial supercells eventually growing upscale into line segments, with the main line of convection coming with the cold front that evening/night. Overall, with such forcing, the radar presentation tomorrow may look quite messy through the day. Showers/Storms may be possible through the day, but the better severe threat seems to be the afternoon and evening. All hazards will be in play, but hail and wind seem to be the primary threats at this time. && .LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... Issued at 130 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026 Upper wave that brought impacts to the area on Wednesday will have since pushed east of the area on Thursday, with weak upper ridging moving in. With this, we will see a surface high pass through the area, resulting in a quiet weather day. We should be geared to have quite a pleasant day, with temperatures increasing into the 70s, a westerly breeze, and decreasing cloud cover. This break of quiet weather will be short-lived though, as Thursday night into Friday, strong southwesterly flow sets up ahead of the next shortwave trough. Strong vort max will approach the area Friday afternoon and evening, with a surface low dragging a seasonally strong cold front through the area. Thus, plenty of forcing in play for storms. A brief look at the environment would indicate sufficient shear and instability in place ahead of the front, favorable for organized convection, some of which could be strong to severe. Environment would be favorable for supercell thunderstorms being the initial storm mode, which may be discrete. Although, as the day goes on and the strongest part of the LLJ core moves in ahead of the cold front, upscale growth is likely. This would lead to a QLCS event for the late afternoon and evening on Friday, where all hazards will be possible. Will refrain from further details, as much can change between now and then. SPC also has their eyes on this system, highlighting much of our area in a 15% or 30% risk for severe weather, which equates to a Slight/Enhanced Risk (level 2/3 of 5) for severe weather. A look ahead to the upcoming weekend shows a drier pattern developing for Saturday and Sunday as upper-level ridging develops to the west. A cold front should bring notably cooler and more seasonal temperatures to the area on the heels of strong, gusty northwest winds. This could bring our first bout of frost/freeze conditions during this growing season, possibly Saturday night, though winds may stay up to limit this to just a freeze potential for parts of the area, while Sunday night could bring about more widespread freeze and frost with lighter winds as high pressure builds in. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/... Issued at 629 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026 Convection across eastern Iowa will move into southern Wisconsin by 03z/15 followed by a brief lull. After 06z/15 the next round of convection will develop/move into eastern Iowa and eventually northern Illinois through 14z/15. A period of LLWS will be observed along/east of the Mississippi river through 06z/15. Potential for IFR conditions with any convection. After 15z/15 quiet conditions with diurnal convection developing after 18z/15 across mainly northern Illinois but also into eastern Iowa. && .DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IA...None. IL...None. MO...None. && SHORT TERM...Gunkel LONG TERM...Gunkel/McClure AVIATION...08
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 238 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026 IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007- 009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-151945- Buchanan-Delaware-Dubuque-Benton-Linn-Jones-Jackson-Iowa-Johnson- Cedar-Clinton-Muscatine-Scott-Keokuk-Washington-Louisa-Jefferson- Henry IA-Des Moines-Van Buren-Lee-Jo Daviess-Stephenson-Carroll- Whiteside-Rock Island-Henry IL-Bureau-Putnam-Mercer-Henderson- Warren-Hancock-McDonough-Scotland-Clark- 238 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central Illinois...northwest Illinois...west central Illinois...east central Iowa...northeast Iowa...southeast Iowa and northeast Missouri. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT Scattered thunderstorms are expected mid to late afternoon into this evening, with the favored location mainly north of Highway 30. The severe threat is for the whole area though, so severe storms south of Highway 30 are possible. Damaging winds, very large hail and tornadoes will be possible with these storms. Some significantly severe weather is possible, especially along the Highway 20 corridor. Additional thunderstorms are possible area-wide late this evening and overnight. Large hail and damaging winds would be the main threats. Area rivers are experiencing flooding. Please see the latest Flood Statements and Flood Warnings for details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY An active weather pattern will bring periods of thunderstorms, which are likely to pose some severe weather risk. Currently, the main timing for the severe weather risk is Wednesday afternoon and evening, and again late Friday afternoon and Friday night. In addition to severe storms, repeated rounds of storms could also pose a flash flooding threat, particularly if heavy rainfall occurs over urban areas. Much colder air will bring the potential for frost and freeze conditions Saturday night, and especially Sunday night. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and evening.
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
631 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0629 PM Hail Noble 41.17N 91.62W
04/14/2026 E2.00 Inch Washington IA Trained Spotter
&&
ALEPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
638 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0630 PM Hail 3 S Crawfordsville 41.18N 91.55W
04/14/2026 E1.50 Inch Washington IA Storm Chaser
Storm chaser report. Time estimated from
radar.
&&
CMDPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
647 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0641 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Dubuque Regional Arpt 42.40N 90.72W
04/14/2026 M88 MPH Dubuque IA ASOS
ASOS.
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
713 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0555 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Delhi 42.43N 91.33W
04/14/2026 Delaware IA Fire Dept/Rescue
Lots of trees down and flagpoles folded in
half. Time estimated from radar.
&&
ALEPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
723 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0600 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Delhi 42.43N 91.32W
04/14/2026 Delaware IA Public
Significant damage to farm buildings and
wooden stakes impaled into the ground.
&&
ALEPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
727 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0715 PM Hail Bellevue 42.26N 90.43W
04/14/2026 M1.00 Inch Jackson IA Trained Spotter
&&
CMDThe Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 94 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:39 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Power poles blown down just south of Stockton Illinois. This was determined to be done by straight line winds.
A tornado formed briefly in the occlusion of an rear flank downdraft northwest of Pearl City. It heavily damaged and destroyed several farm outbuildings, lifted a large farm wagon into an outbuilding, damaging the roof and side. The tornado also snapped several tree trunks and tree damage. Power poles were also snapped as the tornado crossed Illinois Highway 73 before lifting shortly thereafter. The tornado caused EF-1 damage with maximum estimated winds of 105 mph.
Widespread wind damage in and east of Pearl City consistent with 80 to 95 mph. Damage was to trees, numerous snapped half way up and some uprooted, as well as some structural damage including a coffee trailer rolled. This damage appeared to be caused by the rear flank downdraft of the storm that produced a tornado just north of Pearl City.
Illinois Highway 78 was closed for several hours due to water over the highway.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Illinois in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Illinois, 2026Warnings in Illinois, April 2026
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1328672, 1328670, 1328671, 1328669.