Hail in Illinois, February 19, 2026

Area Forecast Discussion...Updated Aviation
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
938 PM CST Wed Feb 18 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- There is a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) for severe weather for
  areas east/southeast of a Jacksonville to Havana line late
  tomorrow morning into the evening hours. All hazards are
  possible.

- Cooler weather returns this weekend with a very low chance (20%
  or less) of light snow. On Monday morning, there is a 30-60%
  chance of apparent temperatures less than 10 degrees.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 817 PM CST Wed Feb 18 2026

Made a couple forecast updates for the overnight and morning
hours. Low level moisture will rapidly increase tonight as low 50s
dewpoints over southern IL surge north. As this occurs, a subtle
shortwave currently over eastern KS will approach. Recent CAM runs
have shown isolated to scattered convection developing over east
central IL, primarily in a 06-12z window. Added some 20-40% PoPs
to account for this. Increasing moisture advection will also cause
in increase in low clouds and fog as well, and added a mention of
areas of fog, primarily southeast of I-55 for late tonight and
Thursday morning. Will need to watch fog trends later as some
guidance shows dense fog developing after 10z and a Dense Fog
Advisory may eventually be needed for portions of the CWA.

25

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 205 PM CST Wed Feb 18 2026

Sunny skies and breezy winds have helped to lift temperatures to
the upper 60s with some sites reaching 70, challenging record
warmth. Winds have been breezy with gusts to 20-30 mph today out
of the west. The influx of dry air and strong mixing has allowed
dew points to tank in northwestern portions of the forecast area.
This combination lines up well with the Red Flag Warning area
which remains in effect (see Fire Weather section below for more
details). Temperatures will warm to the mid to upper 60s again on
Thursday, with convective development likely limiting potential
for records.

Westerly winds shift to southerly tonight as the strong low
pressure system to our north tracks further northward. Another low
pressure system in the elongated trough moves into the Central
Plains Thursday morning and then tracks northeastward. Models,
especially the hi-res models, have largely removed any potential
of overnight rain, with conditions predominantly dry through mid-
morning Thursday. There is variation in model timing, but late
morning through the afternoon appears to be most favorable for the
development of scattered showers and thunderstorms which start
out as discrete storms and possible supercells. Later in the
afternoon organization into a broken line is more likely with the
storms towards eastern portions of the coverage area. The Day 2
SPC severe weather outlook has had a small westward expansion of
the slight risk (level 2 of 5) area east/southeast of a line from
Jacksonville to Havana with continuation of 5% tornado and 15%
hail/wind areas. The environment continues to show very strong
bulk wind shear of 50-75 kts, while CAPE varies among models but
generally resides around 500-800 J/kg. While heavy rain may
accompany thunderstorms, no training is anticipated and QPF is
limited, so no flooding issues are projected.

Some models (such as the 18Z HRRR) break up the storm development
into two phases with the first phase midday to early afternoon as
a SSW to NNE oriented line moving towards Indiana, and the second
phase late afternoon into the early evening as a NNW to SSE
oriented line forming near the northern edge of the coverage area
and tracking towards Chicago. Slight variations in position exist
across the models. PoPs are somewhat limited through the day
(peaking around 50-60% most places) because of the broken nature
of these cells.

Strong cold air advection follows behind this system, sending
temperatures much lower for the weekend, with highs dropping to
the mid-30s by Sunday. Models have trended much weaker for
precipitation potential Saturday, with only a slight chance of
non-impactful snow remaining. Northwesterlies continue to bring
cold air in late weekend, with Monday morning wind chills having a
30-60% chance of dropping below 10F. Dry weather begins next
week, with a warming trend towards midweek.

PAH

&&

.AVIATION...  (For the 06z TAFs through 06z Thursday Night)
Issued at 938 PM CST Wed Feb 18 2026

IFR ceilings and visibilities are expected to develop along a
warm front tonight over east central IL, then expand northwest
past the I-55 corridor toward 12z. Confidence is low that KPIA
will see low visibility but MVFR ceilings are likely to make it
to that terminal. Category is forecast to improve back to VFR by
midday at all sites. A few isolated showers or storms are possible
tonight at KDEC-KCMI and included a 2-3 hour period of PROB30. A
couple rounds of scattered storms are expected Thursday afternoon,
but with low coverage (30% or less) and low confidence on exact
timing opted to cover storms with a blanket PROB30 during the
afternoon. If a terminal is impacted brief drops to IFR and
gusty/variable winds will occur. Light winds through tonight will
increase by late morning from the southeast, gusting near 20 kt at
times, then veering southwest after 00z.

25

&&

.CLIMATE...
Issued at 252 PM CST Tue Feb 17 2026

Record high temperatures for Wednesday and Thursday:

Location           Wednesday      Thursday
========           =========      =========
Bloomington        72 (2017)      70 (1930)
Champaign          70 (2017)      68 (2017)
Charleston         68 (1961)      72 (1930)
Decatur            70 (1911)      66 (1930)
Lincoln            67 (2017)      71 (1930)
Olney              72 (1961)      72 (1930)
Peoria             68 (2017)      71 (1930)
Springfield        68 (2017)      71 (2017)

Geelhart

&&

.ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.
&&

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
250 PM CST Wed Feb 18 2026

ILZ027>031-036>038-041-191200-
Knox-Stark-Peoria-Marshall-Woodford-Fulton-Tazewell-McLean-Mason-
250 PM CST Wed Feb 18 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois and west
central Illinois.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

A Red Flag Warning remains in effect until early evening today for
high fire danger due to west winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35
mph, and low relative humidity. Open burning should be avoided.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Thursday
afternoon, with damaging winds the primary concern.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated tonight.

ILZ042>046-051>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-191200-
Logan-De Witt-Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Sangamon-Christian-Macon-
Moultrie-Douglas-Coles-Edgar-Shelby-Cumberland-Clark-Effingham-
Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence-
250 PM CST Wed Feb 18 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east
central Illinois and southeast Illinois.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Breezy conditions and low relative humidity are expected for the
remainder of this afternoon and will lead to increased fire danger,
primarily north of I-70. Open burning should be avoided.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

While a few strong thunderstorms may contain hail late Thursday
morning, the main severe weather risk will be during the afternoon
and early evening hours. Damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes are
the main concern.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated tonight.

ILZ040-047>050-191200-
Schuyler-Cass-Menard-Scott-Morgan-
250 PM CST Wed Feb 18 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois and west
central Illinois.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Breezy conditions and low relative humidity are expected for the
remainder of this afternoon and will lead to increased fire danger.
Open burning should be avoided.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

While a few strong thunderstorms may contain hail late Thursday
morning, the main severe weather risk will be during the afternoon
hours. Damaging wind gusts are the main concern.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated tonight.

PAH

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
107 AM CST Thu Feb 19 2026

ILZ045-190715-
Champaign-
107 AM CST Thu Feb 19 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
THROUGH 115 AM CST...

At 106 AM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Thomasboro, or near Rantoul, moving northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Rantoul, Thomasboro, Gifford, and Flatville.

This includes Interstate 57 between mile markers 242 and 250.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 4016 8821 4025 8827 4040 8806 4021 8795
TIME...MOT...LOC 0706Z 242DEG 21KT 4024 8815

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

37