Mchenry County Storm Trackers

04/17/2026

04/17/2026

Warning
National Weather Service
×
What to Expect
Damaging tornado.
🧊 Max Hail
1.75 IN
📡 Source
Weather spotters confirmed tornado.
🕒 When
UNTIL 415 PM CDT FOR EASTERN JO DAVIESS
⚠️ Expected Impacts
You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction is possible. The tornado will be near... Freeport, Cedarville, Winslow, Buena Vista, Oneco, Orangeville, Eleroy, Mc Connell, Red Oak, and Scioto Mills around 350 PM CDT. Dakota Dornink Airport around 355 PM CDT.
THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!
Tornado: OBSERVEDHail: 1.75" (Golf Ball‑Size)Damage Threat: CONSIDERABLE
587
WWUS53 KDVN 172043 CCA
SVSDVN
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
343 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026
ILC015-085-177-172115-
/O.COR.KDVN.TO.W.0034.000000T0000Z-260417T2115Z/
Jo Daviess IL-Carroll IL-Stephenson IL-
343 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026..A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM CDT FOR EASTERN
JO DAVIESS...NORTHEASTERN CARROLL AND STEPHENSON COUNTIES...
At 343 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located over Lena, or 11 miles northwest of Freeport, moving east at
25 mph.
This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!
HAZARD...Damaging tornado.
SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado.
IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may
be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes
will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes,
businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction
is possible.
The tornado will be near...
Freeport, Cedarville, Winslow, Buena Vista, Oneco, Orangeville,
Eleroy, Mc Connell, Red Oak, and Scioto Mills around 350 PM CDT.
Dakota Dornink Airport around 355 PM CDT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, 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.
Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!
If a tornado or other severe weather is spotted, report it to the
National Weather Service or your local nearest law enforcement agency
who will send your report. This act may save lives of others in the
path of dangerous weather.

04/17/2026

Tornado in progress entering LENA IL moving East/Northeast

04/17/2026

TORNADO WATCH 129 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT FOR THE
FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

IL ILLINOIS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

BOONE BUREAU CARROLL
DE KALB HANCOCK HENDERSON
HENRY JO DAVIESS LA SALLE
LEE MCDONOUGH MCHENRY
MERCER OGLE PUTNAM
ROCK ISLAND STEPHENSON WARREN
WHITESIDE WINNEBAGO

04/17/2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Illinois...northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana.
DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

Weather hazards expected...

Significant Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
Level 3 of 5 Damaging Wind Risk...up to 70 mph.
Level 2 of 5 Tornado Risk.
Level 1 of 5 Large Hail Risk...up to one inch in diameter.
Elevated Flooding Risk.

DISCUSSION...

A line of thunderstorms is expected to work across northern
Illinois this evening. Thunderstorms may be severe with damaging
wind gusts, hail, and perhaps a few tornadoes. Heavy rain may
also lead to instances of flash flooding.
DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Saturday...
Elevated Frost and Freeze Risk.
Sunday...
Significant Frost and Freeze Risk.
SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters will likely be needed this evening.

GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:

Moving toward the northeast at 45 mph and then becoming east.

04/15/2026

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

07/16/2025

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Illinois...northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana.
DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

Weather hazards expected...

Elevated Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
Level 2 of 5 Damaging Wind Risk...60 to 75 mph.
Level 1 of 5 Damaging Hail Risk...1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
Level 1 of 5 Tornado Risk.
Limited Flooding Risk.
Limited Excessive Heat Risk.

DISCUSSION...

Scattered strong to severe storms will develop across the area
this afternoon. The greatest threats with the storms will be
damaging winds and hail. A tornado or flash flooding cannot be
ruled out.

Peak heat indices this afternoon could reach 100 degrees.
DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Thursday and Friday...
Limited Thunderstorm Risk.
High Swim Risk Lake Michigan Beaches.
Friday night through Monday...
Limited to Elevated Flooding Risk.
Limited to Elevated Thunderstorm Risk.
Tuesday...
Limited Thunderstorm Risk.
Limited Excessive Heat Risk.

DISCUSSION...

High waves will cause dangerous swimming conditions at Lake
Michigan beaches Thursday through early Friday morning.

There will be periodic bouts of showers and thunderstorms
Friday night through Monday. Any storm during this period may be
severe with damaging winds and flash flooding.
SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters may be needed this afternoon and evening.

GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:

Moving toward the east at 35 to 45 mph.

07/16/2025

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 518 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT
FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

IL ILLINOIS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

BOONE BUREAU CARROLL
COOK DE KALB DUPAGE
GRUNDY KANE KANKAKEE
KENDALL LAKE LA SALLE
LEE MCHENRY OGLE
PUTNAM STEPHENSON WHITESIDE
WILL WINNEBAGO

07/11/2025

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Illinois...northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana.
DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

Weather hazards expected...

Significant Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
Level 2 of 5 Tornado Risk.
Level 3 of 5 Damaging Wind Risk...up to 70 mph.
Level 1 of 5 Large Hail Risk...up to up to golf ball size.
Elevated Flooding Risk.

DISCUSSION...

Thunderstorms are likely late this afternoon through this evening.
Some of these storms will probably be severe with damaging winds
the primary threat. There is a risk for hail and even some brief
tornadoes as well. In addition, thunderstorms will be capable of
producing torrential rainfall rates in excess of 2 inches per
hour, which could result in localized flash flooding.
DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Saturday...
Limited Flooding Risk.
Elevated Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
Level 1 of 5 Severe Thunderstorm Risk.
Tuesday night through Thursday...
Limited Thunderstorm Risk.

DISCUSSION...

Thunderstorms are possible Saturday afternoon and evening,
particularly south and east of I-55. If thunderstorms occur, then
there will be a risk of isolated strong to possibly damaging
winds gusts as well as locally heavy rainfall.
SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters may be needed later this afternoon and evening.

GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:

Moving toward the east or northeast at 25 to 35 mph.

05/16/2025

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Illinois...northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana.
DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

Weather hazards expected...

Elevated Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
Level 3 of 5 Damaging Wind Risk...to 75 mph.
Level 2 of 5 Large Hail Risk...to golf ball size.
Level 1 of 5 Tornado Risk.

Elevated Non Thunderstorm Wind Risk.
Significant Fire Weather Risk.

DISCUSSION...

Scattered severe thunderstorms are possible late this afternoon
into early this evening, mainly for areas along and east of
Interstate 55 and especially toward east-central Illinois and
west-central Indiana. The main severe weather threats are large
hail and damaging winds.

South to southwest non-thunderstorm winds may gust as high as 50
mph through this evening. For rural locations where little to no
rain fell on Thursday, sharply reduced visibility is possible due
to blowing dust.

The strong winds combined with very dry air will create a
elevated critical fire danger with the potential for wildfires and
rapid fire spread this afternoon where little to no rain fell on
Thursday.
DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Monday...
Limited Thunderstorm Risk.
SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters may be needed late this afternoon into this evening.

GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:

Moving toward the northeast around 50 mph.

04/28/2025

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Illinois...northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana.
DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight.

Weather hazards expected...

Limited 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 1 inch in diameter.
Level 1 of 5 Tornado Risk.
Elevated Non Thunderstorm Wind Risk.

DISCUSSION...

South to southwesterly wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph are expected this
afternoon and evening.

A few thunderstorms may move through the area after sunset. If
thunderstorms occur, they may be strong to severe.
DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

Tuesday...
Limited Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
Level 1 of 5 Severe Thunderstorm Risk southeast of I-55.
Wednesday and Thursday...
Limited Flooding Risk.
Limited Thunderstorm Risk.

DISCUSSION...

A few thunderstorms may be ongoing tomorrow morning southeast of
I-55. If thunderstorms are ongoing, they may be strong to severe.
SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated at this time. However, reports of
severe weather (should it occur) would be appreciated.

GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:

Moving toward the east at 55 mph.