Dangerous heat will persist across the Southwest U.S. through Friday with daytime highs of 110-115°F. Heat across the southern Plains will briefly ease to near-normal by late week before returning over much of the Plains into next week. Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across parts of the Northeast U.S. on Thursday. Damaging wind, hail, and a tornado or two are possible. Read More >
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Overview
Page last updated: 9:00 PM CDT Sunday, July 5, 2026
Tornadoes
Tornadoes confirmed by NWS Chicago and their corresponding tracks will be displayed in the dashboard and interactive map below as NWS damage surveys are finalized. Note the following:
Select a tornado from the table to zoom into the track and view more information. The default table view is limited to 8 tracks, but can be scrolled by a mouse wheel or dynamically expanded. Additionally, the table can fill the entire window by clicking the small circular expanding arrow icon at the very top right of the table and returned to its original size by clicking the button again. The side information panel that opens over the map can be closed using the "X" on the upper right corner of the pop-up. Zoom into the map and click damage points to see detailed information and pictures from the surveys.
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NOTE: Times shown below are local to your device's time zone. |
The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories:
| EF0 Weak 65-85 mph |
EF1 Moderate 86-110 mph |
EF2 Significant 111-135 mph |
EF3 Severe 136-165 mph |
EF4 Extreme 166-200 mph |
EF5 Catastrophic 200+ mph |
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| Tornadoes that fail to impact any ratable damage indicators on the EF-Scale are rated EF-Unknown (EF-U) | |||||
Storm Reports
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Preliminary Storm Report Map |
Below is a text summary of the damage survey results across northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana.
.Long Point - Streator... Rating: EF3 Estimated Peak Wind: 145 mph Path Length /statute/: 11.93 miles Path Width /maximum/: 600 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 7 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 05:32 PM CDT Start Location: Long Point / Livingston County / IL Start Lat/Lon: 40.9986 / -88.8961 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 05:59 PM CDT End Location: 2 NE Streator / La Salle County / IL End Lat/Lon: 41.1486 / -88.8 Survey Summary: This tornado began in a field southwest of E 2600 N Road and N 190 East Road. It tracked into Long Point, where some tree damage was noted before continuing northeast with sporadic damage near Ancona and Reading Township. The tornado intensified as it crossed east of N 500 East Road, where it blew a grain bin off its foundation and dragged it along the ground for approximately 700 yards. The tornado reached its peak intensity on the southeast side of Streator near the Livingston-La Salle County line. Here, several houses along Sunbury Drive were heavily damaged. At one residence, only the inner-most walls were left standing, with debris tossed southward, upstream against the tornado path. Damage in this area was consistent with EF-3 winds around 145 mph. The tornado continued northeast before turning nearly due north, causing damage consistent with EF-2 caliber winds to several residences along E 19th Road. The tornado appears to have lifted northeast of Streator near N 1475th Road. .Osage Township... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 110 mph Path Length /statute/: 0.80 miles Path Width /maximum/: 75 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 05:33 PM CDT Start Location: 3 E Wenona / La Salle County / IL Start Lat/Lon: 41.0581 / -88.9837 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 05:35 PM CDT End Location: 4 ENE Wenona / La Salle County / IL End Lat/Lon: 41.0616 / -88.9697 Survey Summary: Tornado damage was observed in rural southern LaSalle County east of Wenona, beginning near the intersection of Illinois 17 and E 9th Rd in Osage Township. The tornado snapped both a large hardwood tree about one-third of the way from the top, and also a wooden electrical pole. Minor roof damage to a single family residence was also noted. The tornado then continued along IL-17, destroying multiple machine sheds in the 900 block, with debris strewn northeastward toward E 10th Rd. The tornado quickly lifted thereafter. .Graymont - Dwight... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 105 mph Path Length /statute/: 33.61 miles Path Width /maximum/: 900 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 05:35 PM CDT Start Location: 3 ESE Flanagan / Livingston County / IL Start Lat/Lon: 40.8533 / -88.8158 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 06:32 PM CDT End Location: 1 WNW Reddick / Livingston County / IL End Lat/Lon: 41.1044 / -88.2768 Survey Summary: .Blackstone Area #1... Rating: EFU Estimated Peak Wind: N/A Path Length /statute/: 0.80 miles Path Width /maximum/: 250 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 05:55 PM CDT Start Location: 1.9 W Blackstone / Livingston County / IL Start Lat/Lon: 41.0987 / -88.7282 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 05:56 PM CDT End Location: 1.8 NW Blackstone / Livingston County / IL End Lat/Lon: 41.0987 / -88.7201 Survey Summary: Based on video footage captured by several storm chasers, a brief tornado began in a field between N 975 East and N 1100 East Roads to the east of the Streator EF3 tornado. The video footage clearly showed the tornado crossing E 3200 North and dissipating in a field just south of the LaSalle County Line. The tornado did not cause any known damage leading to a rating of EFU. .Blackstone Area #2... Rating: EFU Estimated Peak Wind: N/A Path Length /statute/: 0.3 miles Path Width /maximum/: 100 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 05:58 PM CDT Start Location: 1.8 NNW Blackstone / LaSalle County / IL Start Lat/Lon: 41.1113 / -88.6999 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 05:59 PM CDT End Location: 2.0 NNW Blackstone / LaSalle County / IL End Lat/Lon: 41.1144 / -88.6955 Survey Summary: Based on video footage captured by storm chasers, a second tornado occurred to the east of the Streator EF3 tornado. The brief tornado touched down east of Illinois Route 18 and North 1200 E Road just north of the LaSalle County line near a wind farm. With no known damage caused by the tornado, it will be rated EFU. .Lee... Rating: EFU Estimated Peak Wind: N/A Path Length /statute/: 5.96 miles Path Width /maximum/: 50 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 07:01 PM CDT Start Location: 4 WSW Lee / Lee County / IL Start Lat/Lon: 41.769 / -89.0249 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 07:09 PM CDT End Location: 1 NNE Lee / De Kalb County / IL End Lat/Lon: 41.8113 / -88.9243 Survey Summary: Video and storm chaser report confirm a tornado. This tornado crossed I-39 southwest of Lee and then tracked northeast, ending in a field in the vicinity of Tower Road north of Hermann Road. No known damage was caused by this tornado. .Harpster - Elliott... Rating: EF0 Estimated Peak Wind: 80 mph Path Length /statute/: 10.97 miles Path Width /maximum/: 100 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 07:06 PM CDT Start Location: 3 SE Saybrook / McLean County / IL Start Lat/Lon: 40.3962 / -88.4796 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 07:16 PM CDT End Location: 1 S Elliott / Ford County / IL End Lat/Lon: 40.444 / -88.2825 Survey Summary: This tornado began approximately 3 miles southeast of Saybrook in McLean County, where it downed a few tree branches and peeled back the metal roof of an outbuilding. The tornado crossed into Ford County shortly thereafter, where it initially damaged trees, power lines, and an outbuilding in the unincorporated community of Harpster. The tornado then impacted a campground along E 200N Road 2 miles south of Gibson City, where it rolled over and damaged several campers. Trees and farm outbuildings were also damaged at a farmstead one mile east of the campground. The tornado then tracked east-northeastward for a few more miles, primarily producing tree damage before dissipating approximately one mile south-southwest of Elliott. .Pembroke Township... Rating: EFU Estimated Peak Wind: N/A Path Length /statute/: 0.57 miles Path Width /maximum/: 50 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 07:08 PM CDT Start Location: 3 SSE Hopkins Park / Kankakee County / IL Start Lat/Lon: 41.0329 / -87.5949 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 07:09 PM CDT End Location: 3 SE Hopkins Park / Kankakee County / IL End Lat/Lon: 41.0374 / -87.5858 Survey Summary: Photos and reports from storm spotters indicate that a brief tornado occurred in a field south of E 6000S Road. No known damage was caused by this tornado. .St. John - Schererville... Rating: EF0 Estimated Peak Wind: 85 mph Path Length /statute/: 5.46 miles Path Width /maximum/: 150 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 07:11 PM CDT Start Location: 2 WSW St. John / Lake County / IN Start Lat/Lon: 41.4409 / -87.5183 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 07:21 PM CDT End Location: 2 SE Schererville / Lake County / IN End Lat/Lon: 41.4707 / -87.4209 Survey Summary: This tornado formed roughly at the intersection of 98th Avenue and Sheffield Avenue and then proceeded to track northeastward through St. John. Most of the damage along the tornado's roughly 5.5 mile track was confined to trees, but some roof damage was also noted, and one house also had its garage door and side wall blown out. The tornado dissipated near Rohrman Park shortly after crossing into Schererville. .Paxton/Loda... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 90 mph Path Length /statute/: 6.88 miles Path Width /maximum/: 100 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 07:23 PM CDT Start Location: 2 NW Paxton / Ford County / IL Start Lat/Lon: 40.4788 / -88.1263 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 07:30 PM CDT End Location: 4 E Loda / Iroquois County / IL End Lat/Lon: 40.5043 / -88.0004 Survey Summary: This tornado tracked east-northeastward between Paxton and Loda, destroying a couple of outbuildings, peeling shingles off of a house, blowing a couple of semi-trailers over on Interstate 57, and damaging a few trees along its slightly under 7-mile-long track. .Merrillville - Hobart... Rating: EF2 Estimated Peak Wind: 120 mph Path Length /statute/: 6.45 miles Path Width /maximum/: 700 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 1 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 07:25 PM CDT Start Location: 2 ESE Griffith / Lake County / IN Start Lat/Lon: 41.5039 / -87.3825 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 07:37 PM CDT End Location: Hobart / Lake County / IN End Lat/Lon: 41.5316 / -87.265 Survey Summary: This tornado appeared to touch down just west of Hendricks Street and moved eastward through central Merrillville. Numerous homes sustained significant damage along W 64rd Ave, 61st Pl, 61st Ave, and Grand Pl, including removal of walls and roofing structures. Extensive tree damage was noted in this region, as well. The tornado continued eastward along and just north of W 61st Avenue and moved over Andrean High School, causing significant roofing damage. Thereafter, the tornado crossed Interstate 65 and then moved over S Liverpool Road, causing continued damage to trees. The tornado then tracked into the southwestern side of Hobart before lifting just southwest of W 3rd Street. .Ludlow... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 100 mph Path Length /statute/: 3.01 miles Path Width /maximum/: 150 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 07:26 PM CDT Start Location: 2 ENE Ludlow / Champaign County / IL Start Lat/Lon: 40.3945 / -88.0808 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 07:29 PM CDT End Location: 5 SE Paxton / Ford County / IL End Lat/Lon: 40.4035 / -88.0254 Survey Summary: This tornado touched down about a third of a mile south of the Champaign and Ford county line, along County Road 2000. It peeled part of the roof off an outbuilding, and damaged some solar panels. It crossed the border about a quarter mile west of Ford County Road 2800E, causing significant damage at a farmstead. Here, the main residence lost part of its roof, an outbuilding was nearly destroyed, and a number of trees were snapped. It lifted a short time later, after crossing 2280E. .Cedar Lake... Rating: EF0 Estimated Peak Wind: 80 mph Path Length /statute/: 4.08 miles Path Width /maximum/: 150 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 07:32 PM CDT Start Location: 2 SSW Cedar Lake / Lake County / IN Start Lat/Lon: 41.3445 / -87.4586 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 07:38 PM CDT End Location: 2 NNE Lake Dalecarlia / Lake County / IN End Lat/Lon: 41.3653 / -87.3866 Survey Summary: Video footage captured this tornado forming along W 151st Avenue west of Parrish Avenue. It tracked northeast into the adjacent Lynnsway subdivision on the southwest side of Cedar Lake, where it caused minor roofing and siding damage to multiple houses and lofted trash cans and outdoor furniture into the air. The tornado then tracked east-northeastward for a few miles through the south side of Cedar Lake, primarily producing tree damage before dissipating near the Pheasant Valley Country Club. .Schneider - Hebron... Rating: EF0 Estimated Peak Wind: 85 mph Path Length /statute/: 12.60 miles Path Width /maximum/: 200 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 07:36 PM CDT Start Location: 2 NE Schneider / Lake County / IN Start Lat/Lon: 41.2141 / -87.4111 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 07:58 PM CDT End Location: 2 SSE Hebron / Porter County / IN End Lat/Lon: 41.2972 / -87.1975 Survey Summary: This tornado began near Colfax Street northeast of Schneider and caused mainly tree damage along its northeastward track, consistent with EF-0 winds near 85 mph. The tornado appears to have crossed I-65 north of E 205th Avenue. It continued into Porter County before lifting just south of Hebron. .Portage - Ogden Dunes - Beverly Shores... Rating: Straight Line Winds Estimated Peak Wind: 80 mph Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 07:40 PM CDT Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Survey Summary: Based on an NWS damage survey as well as data from the Midway Terminal Doppler radar, a corridor of destructive winds in excess of 80 mph started near the northern Lake and Porter county lines on the north side of Portage and continued northeastward along the shoreline of Lake Michigan toward Beverly Shores. Damage within the swath consisted of snapped and uprooted trees and downed power lines. Several structures sustained damage from fallen trees. .Watseka... Rating: EF0 Estimated Peak Wind: 80 mph Path Length /statute/: 2.14 miles Path Width /maximum/: 250 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 07:45 PM CDT Start Location: 1 SSW Watseka / Iroquois County / IL Start Lat/Lon: 40.7685 / -87.7354 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 07:47 PM CDT End Location: 2 E Watseka / Iroquois County / IL End Lat/Lon: 40.7749 / -87.6955 Survey Summary: This tornado tracked across the south side of Watseka before ending near the intersection of US Route 24 and IL State Route 1. Damage along the tornado's path was largely confined to trees. .Kouts... Rating: EF3 Estimated Peak Wind: 165 mph Path Length /statute/: 22.28 miles Path Width /maximum/: 450 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 07:48 PM CDT Start Location: 5 WNW De Motte / Lake County / IN Start Lat/Lon: 41.2422 / -87.2768 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 08:24 PM CDT End Location: 1 S South Wanatah / La Porte County / IN End Lat/Lon: 41.3841 / -86.9008 Survey Summary: A long-track tornado initially touched down near the intersection of Grand Boulevard and Clay Street just east of Interstate 65 in rural Lake County and continued northeastward into southern Porter County just north of the Kankakee River. Damage near the beginning of the path consisted of downed and uprooted trees. The tornado appeared to increase in size and intensity after crossing US Highway 231, damaging the walls and roofing of several homes near W 1000 S just north of Breyfogel Ditch. As the tornado continued northeastward, it further strengthened and widened. The tornado reached its peak intensity of EF-3 from just north of Kouts to just west of the Porter and LaPorte county line. In this area, several homes were destroyed, and two separate sets of high tension power trusses were sheared apart and collapsed. There was significant scouring of the ground and damage to crops in this region, as well. The tornado began to weaken as it crossed into LaPorte County, where drone footage continued to show swirl marks in fields as it tracked northeast and eventually turned toward the north-northeast. The tornado then dissipated after damaging trees and residences along S 1050 W Road. .Prairie Green Township... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 90 mph Path Length /statute/: 1.24 miles Path Width /maximum/: 50 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 07:48 PM CDT Start Location: 3 ENE Wellington / Iroquois County / IL Start Lat/Lon: 40.5598 / -87.6261 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 07:49 PM CDT End Location: 4 NE Wellington / Iroquois County / IL End Lat/Lon: 40.5708 / -87.6077 Survey Summary: This tornado destroyed an outbuilding at a farmstead about 2.5 miles northeast of Wellington. It also downed a few power poles and left a clear, narrow damage path through crops in a field to the east of N 2700 East Road and north of E 500 North Road before dissipating shortly thereafter. .Bartlett... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 100 mph Path Length /statute/: 2.99 miles Path Width /maximum/: 400 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 07:52 PM CDT Start Location: 2 WSW Bartlett / DuPage County / IL Start Lat/Lon: 41.9684 / -88.2341 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 07:57 PM CDT End Location: 1 ENE Bartlett / DuPage County / IL End Lat/Lon: 41.9814 / -88.1794 Survey Summary: Eyewitness reports and radar data indicate that a tornado began in Pratt's Wayne Woods before quickly intensifying and tracking east-northeastward into Bartlett. The tornado produced a concentrated area of EF-1 damage at a shopping center at the intersection of Sutton Road and Stearns Road, where roofing material was peeled off of buildings, brick columns and metal fencing were blown out at a garden center, and all of the gas pumps at a gas station were blown over. The tornado continued to produce extensive tree damage in the subdivisions to the east of the shopping center before dissipating east of Bartlett Road. .Boswell - Atkinson... Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Wind: 95 mph Path Length /statute/: 12.30 miles Path Width /maximum/: 250 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 07:58 PM CDT / 08:58 PM EDT Start Location: 2 SW Boswell / Benton County / IN Start Lat/Lon: 40.5022 / -87.4092 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 08:10 PM CDT / 09:10 PM EDT End Location: 4 NNE Oxford / Benton County / IN End Lat/Lon: 40.5778 / -87.2059 Survey Summary: This tornado began approximately one and half miles southwest of Boswell, initially damaging an outbuilding and peeling a few roof shingles off of a house at a farmstead on S 400 W Road. The tornado tracked east-northeastward and blew down a barn and power lines along S 200 W Road before curving off more towards the northeast. It then blew a press box off of the bleachers at Daugherty Speedway and into a nearby power pole and field before reaching peak intensity as it tracked into the unincorporated community of Chase. There, a grain elevator and multiple associated grain bins were destroyed, and a couple of tree trunks were snapped. The tornado then continued to the east-northeast, snapping multiple rows of power poles from Meridian Road to S 200 E Road and downing another set of power poles in the unincorporated community of Atkinson. As the tornado reached E 200 S and S 600 E roads, it downed more power poles; downed a few trees; damaged the roof, chimney, and gutter of a house; and blew a chicken coop into a field, killing 30 chickens. The tornado likely dissipated shortly after crossing S 600 E Road. .Morocco... Rating: EF0 Estimated Peak Wind: 85 mph Path Length /statute/: 12.6 miles Path Width /maximum/: 200 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 07:58 PM CDT / 08:58 PM EDT Start Location: 3.3 SW Morocco / Newton County / IN Start Lat/Lon: 40.9259 / -87.5081 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 08:10 PM CDT / 09:10 PM EDT End Location: 4.2 SW Fair Oaks / Newton County / IN End Lat/Lon: 40.0422 / -87.3279 Survey Summary: A tornado touched down near S 600 W Road just north of the intersection of W 550 S Road before tracking northeast across mainly open farmland in western Newton County. The tornado damaged a farm outbuilding along with several trees near S 550 W Road consistent with 85 mph winds. From there, the tornado continued northeast through the town of Morocco where a corridor of tree damage occurred, including near the town park. After exiting Morocco, the tornado crossed US-41 before turning to the northeast across open farmland where damage was confined to trees and irrigation pivots. The tornado appeared to end just east of the intersection of E 300 N Road and N 300 E Road. Additional tree damage across the broader Morocco area was consistent with straight line winds in excess of 60 mph. .Ade - Mount Ayr... Rating: EF0 Estimated Peak Wind: 85 mph Path Length /statute/: 15.57 miles Path Width /maximum/: 200 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 07:58 PM CDT Start Location: 4 ENE Iroquois / Newton County / IL Start Lat/Lon: 40.8371 / -87.4956 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 08:12 PM CDT End Location: 3 E Mount Ayr / Jasper County / IN End Lat/Lon: 40.9427 / -87.236 Survey Summary: This tornado formed near the intersection of S 500 W and W 1075 S roads in Washington Township. It tracked northeastward through rural portions of central Newton County for several miles before ending near Curtis Creek Country Club in Newton Township in western Jasper County, west of Rensselaer. Along its over 15-mile- long path, the tornado damaged or destroyed multiple farm outbuildings, downed several trees and tree limbs, downed a few power poles, and destroyed a grain bin. .Naperville - Lisle... Rating: EF0 Estimated Peak Wind: 80 mph Path Length /statute/: 1.33 miles Path Width /maximum/: 150 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 08:04 PM CDT Start Location: 2 E Naperville / DuPage County / IL Start Lat/Lon: 41.7622 / -88.1216 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 08:06 PM CDT End Location: 1 SW Lisle / DuPage County / IL End Lat/Lon: 41.7766 / -88.1051 Survey Summary: An EF-0 tornado with peak winds of around 80 mph, a path length of around 1.3 miles, and a maximum width of around 150 yards began near the intersection of Gartner Road and Olesen Drive and continued northeast through the Huntington Hills and Olesen Estates neighborhoods of Naperville. Damage through both neighborhoods was in a very narrow path of around 50 to 75 yards and consisted of snapped and uprooted trees. The tornado appeared to broaden in width while crossing Naper Boulevard and passing over Huntington Apartments, where a roughly 150-yard-wide swath of extensive tree damage was noted. The tornado appeared to lift just west of Benedictine Parkway. .Hickory Hills - Garfield Ridge... Rating: EF2 Estimated Peak Wind: 120 mph Path Length /statute/: 8.35 miles Path Width /maximum/: 350 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 6 Start Date: 06/11/2026 Start Time: 08:15 PM CDT Start Location: 1 SE Willow Springs / Cook County / IL Start Lat/Lon: 41.719 / -87.8638 End Date: 06/11/2026 End Time: 08:22 PM CDT End Location: 1 N Midway Airport / Cook County / IL End Lat/Lon: 41.799 / -87.7513 Survey Summary: An EF-2 tornado with peak winds of around 120 mph, a path length of around 8.4 miles, and a maximum width of 350 yards began in the Spears-Pioneer Woods Forest Preserve north of 95th St. and continued northeast into northern Hickory Hills, where tree damage and some light pole damage occurred. The tornado strengthened in intensity to EF-2 level on the southeast side of Justice, where two apartments had roofs fully removed near 83rd St. and Roberts Rd. The tornado maintained EF-2 strength into Bridgeview, where additional roof damage was noted near 79th St. and Oketo Ave. The tornado then weakened as it moved into the Clearing and Garfield Ridge community areas of Chicago west of Midway airport, where tree, shingle, roof, and siding damage occurred. The tornado lifted north of Midway Airport around 52nd St. and Leamington Ave. after producing additional tree damage. && EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories: EF0.....65 to 85 mph EF1.....86 to 110 mph EF2.....111 to 135 mph EF3.....136 to 165 mph EF4.....166 to 200 mph EF5.....>200 mph NOTE: The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the events and publication in NWS Storm Data. |
Rainfall
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Map of Approximate Rainfall Totals |
CoCoRaHS Precipitation Summary National Weather Service Chicago IL 931 AM CDT Fri Jun 12 2026 24-hour CoCoRaHS precipitation reports ending between 6 AM and 9 AM local time. These reports are considered supplemental and unofficial. .B LOT 0612 C DH07/PP/SF/SD/SW : : :Illinois CoCoRaHS Precipitation Reports : : Snow Snow Water : Pcpn Fall Depth Equiv : IL-WL-149 : Bult Field-Monee 4.9 SE : 3.16 / 0.0 / 0.0 / MM IL-MCH-66 : Harvard 2.8 SSE : 3.09 / MM / MM / MM IL-MCH-13 : Bull Valley 2.5 WNW : 3.03 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-DK-27 : Kingston 2.3 WNW : 2.78 / MM / MM / MM IL-MCH-29 : Woodstock 0.7 SW : 2.78 / MM / MM / MM IL-MCH-33 : Woodstock 3.8 SW : 2.72 / MM / MM / MM IL-MCH-87 : Marengo 0.7 NNE : 2.52 / MM / MM / MM IL-MCH-35 : Lakemoor 1.9 NW : 2.50 / MM / MM / MM IL-LK-81 : Lake Villa 2.3 WSW : 2.48 / MM / MM / MM IL-LK-132 : Lindenhurst 0.8 WNW : 2.46 / MM / MM / MM IL-WL-46 : Peotone 0.4 ENE : 2.42 / 0.0 / 0.0 / MM IL-WN-48 : Rockford 3.8 NNW : 2.38 / MM / MM / MM IL-LK-100 : Long Lake 0.4 S : 2.34 / MM / MM / MM IL-LK-09 : Lake Villa 1.1 SSW : 2.31 / MM / MM / MM IL-MCH-103 : Harvard 4.4 NNE : 2.20 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-WL-65 : Crete 2.6 SSW : 2.16 / MM / MM / MM IL-WN-45 : Machesney Park 0.9 W : 2.15 / MM / MM / MM IL-BN-19 : Belvidere 5.0 NNW : 2.13 / MM / MM / MM IL-WN-40 : Rockford 4.5 WSW : 2.06 / MM / MM / MM IL-MCH-108 : Spring Grove 1.2 ESE : 2.03 / MM / MM / MM IL-LK-74 : Mundelein 1.6 WNW : 2.02 / MM / MM / MM IL-LK-120 : Wadsworth 1.4 S : 2.01 / MM / MM / MM IL-MCH-107 : Crystal Lake 3.9 WNW : 1.97 / MM / MM / MM IL-LK-18 : Grayslake 0.7 WSW : 1.96 / MM / MM / MM IL-WN-41 : South Beloit 1.5 ESE : 1.96 / MM / MM / MM IL-MCH-34 : Pistakee Highlands 0.4 SW : 1.93 / MM / MM / MM IL-WL-25 : Crete 2.6 E : 1.91 / MM / MM / MM IL-BN-14 : Capron 0.1 N : 1.84 / 0.0 / 0.0 / MM IL-WL-84 : Beecher 3.4 ENE : 1.80 / MM / MM / MM IL-LK-23 : Winthrop Harbor 0.2 SSE : 1.77 / MM / MM / MM IL-WN-44 : Winnebago 5.4 SE : 1.76 / MM / MM / MM IL-WN-60 : Rockford 6.8 SW : 1.67 / MM / MM / MM IL-WN-56 : Winnebago 3.6 NW : 1.66 / MM / MM / MM IL-WL-191 : Braidwood 1.5 NE : 1.64 / MM / MM / MM IL-LK-54 : Mundelein 0.5 NNE : 1.63 / MM / MM / MM IL-LK-42 : Gurnee 1.6 W : 1.59 / MM / MM / MM IL-MCH-83 : Crystal Lake 1.0 WSW : 1.58 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-WL-73 : Wilmington 2.6 SE : 1.58 / MM / MM / MM IL-MCH-101 : Crystal Lake 1.9 SW : 1.54 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-306 : Oak Forest 0.6 N : 1.50 / 0.0 / 0.0 / MM IL-LK-112 : Lindenhurst 1.0 ENE : 1.50 / MM / MM / MM IL-WL-138 : Crete 2.7 W : 1.50 / MM / MM / MM IL-OG-16 : Rochelle 5.1 WNW : 1.44 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-LE-25 : Dixon 0.8 NE : 1.40 / MM / MM / MM IL-WL-175 : Joliet 0.7 WNW : 1.34 / MM / MM / MM IL-GY-16 : Morris 6.4 ESE : 1.32 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-CK-253 : Midlothian 0.1 SSE : 1.32 / MM / MM / MM IL-KD-136 : Oswego 0.3 E : 1.29 / MM / MM / MM IL-LK-47 : Volo 0.9 S : 1.28 / MM / MM / MM IL-WL-164 : Wilmington 0.9 ENE : 1.28 / MM / MM / MM IL-GY-01 : Carbon Hill 3.1 N : 1.26 / 0.0 / 0.0 / MM IL-WL-23 : Beecher 3.4 SSE : 1.26 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-390 : Alsip 0.9 E : 1.25 / MM / MM / MM IL-WL-51 : Plainfield 2.4 SSE : 1.24 / 0.0 / MM / MM IL-WL-72 : New Lenox 2.9 ENE : 1.23 / MM / MM / MM IL-WL-99 : Manhattan 1.9 SE : 1.23 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-53 : Glencoe 0.1 NW : 1.22 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-431 : Crestwood 0.4 SW : 1.22 / MM / MM / MM IL-WL-42 : Mokena 1.3 W : 1.22 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-148 : Oak Lawn 1.9 SE : 1.20 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-211 : Oak Lawn 1.6 WNW : 1.20 / MM / MM / MM IL-GY-21 : Coal City 2.8 N : 1.20 / MM / MM / MM IL-LK-127 : Libertyville 1.6 SE : 1.20 / MM / MM / MM IL-WL-96 : Wilmington 6.3 NW : 1.20 / MM / MM / MM IL-KD-127 : Oswego 1.7 WSW : 1.19 / 0.0 / 0.0 / MM IL-CK-163 : Arlington Heights 1.2 SW : 1.19 / MM / MM / MM IL-GY-28 : Morris 1.5 SW : 1.19 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-414 : Hoffman Estates 2.5 NNE : 1.18 / MM / MM / MM IL-MCH-118 : Cary 0.9 W : 1.18 / MM / MM / MM IL-KD-05 : Montgomery 0.8 SSE : 1.16 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-456 : Hoffman Estates 4.2 W : 1.14 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-DK-38 : Cortland 0.3 E : 1.12 / MM / MM / MM IL-GY-20 : Morris 2.5 SSE : 1.10 / MM / MM / MM IL-DP-101 : Aurora 3.8 SE : 1.09 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-KD-144 : Yorkville 5.2 S : 1.09 / MM / MM / MM IL-KN-115 : Aurora 3.5 ESE : 1.09 / MM / MM / MM IL-DK-28 : De Kalb 0.7 SW : 1.08 / 0.0 / 0.0 / MM IL-GY-04 : Coal City 0.4 N : 1.08 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-WL-165 : Frankfort 1.3 ESE : 1.08 / MM / MM / MM IL-KD-126 : Oswego 1.1 ESE : 1.06 / MM / MM / MM IL-LV-21 : Chatsworth 1.2 S : 1.06 / MM / MM / MM IL-DP-42 : Carol Stream 0.3 SSE : 1.05 / MM / MM / MM IL-KN-09 : Elgin 1.0 S : 1.03 / 0.0 / 0.0 / MM IL-CK-229 : Flossmoor 1.2 ESE : 1.03 / MM / MM / MM IL-KD-99 : Montgomery 3.5 WSW : 1.03 / MM / MM / MM IL-MCH-95 : Cary 0.5 SSW : 1.03 / MM / MM / MM IL-GY-37 : Mazon 2.4 SE : 1.02 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-CK-407 : Matteson 0.9 E : 1.02 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-460 : Wheeling 1.0 NW : 1.02 / MM / MM / MM IL-DP-16 : Aurora 3.6 SE : 1.01 / MM / MM / MM IL-LS-45 : Streator 1.3 WSW : 1.01 / MM / MM / MM IL-KN-126 : Pingree Grove 0.9 N : 0.99 / MM / MM / MM IL-DK-36 : De Kalb 3.5 WSW : 0.98 / MM / MM / MM IL-WL-105 : Plainfield 2.9 NNW : 0.98 / MM / MM / MM IL-WL-97 : New Lenox 3.3 E : 0.97 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-LE-08 : Ashton 0.4 SSW : 0.97 / MM / MM / MM IL-WL-100 : Joliet 2.9 WNW : 0.97 / MM / MM / MM IL-WL-122 : Shorewood 0.3 N : 0.97 / MM / MM / MM IL-WL-178 : Mokena 2.1 SW : 0.97 / MM / MM / MM IL-IR-30 : Clifton 6.2 ENE : 0.96 / MM / MM / MM IL-WL-85 : Joliet 2.7 NW : 0.96 / MM / MM / MM IL-WL-182 : Plainfield 3.9 SSW : 0.95 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-MCH-09 : Algonquin 2.1 W : 0.95 / MM / MM / MM IL-LS-76 : Grand Ridge 0.2 SSW : 0.93 / MM / MM / MM IL-KD-125 : Plano 1.6 NW : 0.92 / 0.0 / MM / MM IL-GY-10 : Minooka 0.3 NE : 0.92 / MM / MM / MM IL-GY-11 : Morris 4.8 NNW : 0.92 / MM / MM / MM IL-GY-34 : Morris 4.5 NW : 0.92 / MM / MM / MM IL-KD-110 : Yorkville 0.9 SSW : 0.92 / MM / MM / MM IL-DP-79 : Burr Ridge 1.9 SW : 0.91 / 0.0 / 0.0 / MM IL-WL-159 : New Lenox 2.1 S : 0.91 / MM / MM / MM IL-KD-34 : Plainfield 4.8 SW : 0.90 / 0.0 / 0.0 / MM IL-CK-455 : Hometown 0.3 S : 0.90 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-405 : Palatine 2.6 WNW : 0.89 / MM / MM / MM IL-WL-174 : Joliet 0.8 E : 0.89 / MM / MM / MM IL-WL-131 : Homer Glen 0.7 NNE : 0.88 / 0.0 / 0.0 / MM IL-CK-50 : Palos Park 1.3 SW : 0.88 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-69 : Park Forest 0.8 NNE : 0.88 / MM / MM / MM IL-KN-123 : Aurora 2.8 WSW : 0.86 / 0.0 / MM / MM IL-CK-294 : Palatine 1.4 NNE : 0.86 / MM / MM / MM IL-KK-45 : Kankakee 1.4 WSW : 0.86 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-406 : Palatine 1.5 NE : 0.85 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-63 : Elk Grove Village 0.6 ESE : 0.84 / MM / MM / MM IL-DP-150 : Bloomingdale 1.2 ESE : 0.84 / MM / MM / MM IL-DP-189 : Downers Grove 1.8 SSE : 0.83 / MM / MM / MM IL-LK-87 : Lake Zurich 1.3 N : 0.83 / MM / MM / MM IL-WL-63 : New Lenox 1.8 SE : 0.81 / 0.0 / MM / MM IL-CK-64 : Homewood 0.1 ESE : 0.80 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-346 : Palatine 1.2 NW : 0.80 / MM / MM / MM IL-KN-95 : Elgin 2.5 W : 0.79 / 0.0 / MM / MM IL-DP-178 : Villa Park 0.8 ESE : 0.78 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-CK-98 : La Grange Park 0.7 SSW : 0.78 / MM / MM / MM IL-DP-78 : Naperville 2.4 SE : 0.77 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-DK-05 : Cortland 0.3 SSW : 0.77 / MM / MM / MM IL-KN-118 : Sleepy Hollow 0.7 W : 0.77 / MM / MM / MM IL-WL-180 : Mokena 4.4 WNW : 0.77 / MM / MM / MM IL-IR-22 : Chebanse 1.6 SW : 0.76 / MM / MM / MM IL-KN-134 : Maple Park 3.9 S : 0.76 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-364 : Evergreen Park 0.4 WNW : 0.75 / MM / MM / MM IL-IR-27 : Martinton 4.0 WNW : 0.75 / MM / MM / MM IL-LE-26 : West Brooklyn 4.3 WNW : 0.75 / MM / MM / MM IL-DK-42 : Sycamore 1.4 SE : 0.74 / MM / MM / MM IL-KN-04 : Sugar Grove 0.7 NE : 0.73 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-KN-02 : Elgin 2.3 WNW : 0.73 / MM / MM / MM IL-LS-17 : Ottawa 1.6 N : 0.71 / 0.0 / MM / MM IL-LS-62 : Ottawa 1.8 S : 0.71 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-278 : Hoffman Estates 1.6 SE : 0.70 / MM / MM / MM IL-DP-109 : Elmhurst 0.8 ESE : 0.69 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-GY-38 : Dwight 2.2 NNW : 0.68 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-CK-12 : Bridgeview 1.3 NNW : 0.68 / MM / MM / MM IL-KN-86 : Elgin 7.5 WSW : 0.68 / MM / MM / MM IL-LS-01 : Ottawa 1.3 NW : 0.68 / MM / MM / MM IL-KD-143 : Yorkville 3.1 N : 0.67 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-74 : Oak Park 1.3 NNE : 0.65 / 0.0 / MM / MM IL-KN-67 : St. Charles 6.0 NW : 0.65 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-DK-29 : Earlville 4.8 NNE : 0.65 / MM / MM / MM IL-KN-33 : North Aurora 1.5 NE : 0.65 / MM / MM / MM IL-KN-132 : Batavia 0.3 SE : 0.64 / MM / MM / MM IL-LK-136 : Highland Park 1.1 N : 0.64 / MM / MM / MM IL-DP-191 : Winfield 0.7 NE : 0.63 / MM / MM / MM IL-IR-21 : Clifton 0.5 WNW : 0.63 / MM / MM / MM IL-KN-135 : Batavia 0.8 W : 0.63 / MM / MM / MM IL-LE-22 : Amboy 0.5 SSW : 0.63 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-464 : Oak Park 1.5 S : 0.62 / MM / MM / MM IL-DP-190 : Roselle 1.0 SE : 0.62 / MM / MM / MM IL-KN-23 : Batavia 1.5 WNW : 0.62 / MM / MM / MM IL-WL-151 : New Lenox 1.5 W : 0.62 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-429 : Harwood Heights 4.0 ESE : 0.61 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-KN-128 : Batavia 3.4 WSW : 0.61 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-192 : Park Ridge 0.7 WNW : 0.60 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-285 : Harwood Heights 0.4 NNE : 0.60 / MM / MM / MM IL-IR-14 : Watseka 6.9 WNW : 0.59 / MM / MM / MM IL-KN-22 : Geneva 1.0 SSW : 0.58 / 0.0 / 0.0 / MM IL-LS-49 : North Utica 6.3 N : 0.58 / MM / MM / MM IL-KK-39 : Herscher 3.3 E : 0.57 / 0.0 / 0.0 / MM IL-IR-26 : Buckley 4.0 ENE : 0.56 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-121 : Palatine 1.3 E : 0.55 / 0.0 / 0.0 / MM IL-CK-367 : Mount Prospect 0.2 NNE : 0.55 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-DP-173 : Lombard 1.2 N : 0.55 / MM / MM / MM IL-IR-24 : Clifton 3.9 ESE : 0.55 / MM / MM / MM IL-LE-27 : Amboy 0.5 SSE : 0.54 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-KK-28 : Chebanse 0.4 NNE : 0.54 / MM / MM / MM IL-LK-139 : Long Grove 0.7 WSW : 0.53 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-326 : Morton Grove 1.2 WNW : 0.52 / MM / MM / MM IL-DP-187 : Lombard 0.2 N : 0.52 / MM / MM / MM IL-KN-158 : Batavia 1.0 SE : 0.52 / MM / MM / MM IL-LK-16 : Buffalo Grove 1.5 N : 0.52 / MM / MM / MM IL-IR-29 : Donovan 5.8 SE : 0.51 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-94 : Lincolnwood 1.8 E : 0.50 / MM / MM / MM IL-KK-47 : Herscher 2.5 ESE : 0.50 / MM / MM / MM IL-KN-133 : Geneva 0.9 E : 0.47 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-336 : Evanston 0.8 ESE : 0.46 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-CK-75 : Elk Grove Village 2.2 WSW : 0.46 / MM / MM / MM IL-DP-132 : Wheaton 2.0 NNE : 0.45 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-CK-371 : Evanston 1.2 S : 0.44 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-463 : Chicago 7.1 NNW : 0.40 / MM / MM / MM IL-DP-38 : Elmhurst 0.4 SW : 0.39 / MM / MM / MM IL-DP-201 : Wheaton 1.4 NNE : 0.39 / MM / MM / MM IL-FD-10 : Gibson City 6.5 NE : 0.39 / MM / MM / MM IL-CK-131 : Schaumburg 2.0 E : 0.36 / MM / MM / MM IL-KK-53 : Chebanse 3.7 NNE : 0.35 / MM / MM / MM IL-FD-09 : Gibson City 3.0 WNW : 0.30 / MM / MM / MM IL-KN-121 : Geneva 1.3 NW : 0.23 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-KN-156 : St. Charles 1.1 SE : 0.21 / MM / MM / MM IL-DP-205 : Bartlett 2.5 ESE : 0.20 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IL-KN-150 : St. Charles 0.8 SSE : 0.18 / MM / MM / MM IL-KN-64 : St. Charles 0.1 E : 0.13 / 0.0 / 0.0 / MM : : :Indiana CoCoRaHS Precipitation Reports : : Snow Snow Water : Pcpn Fall Depth Equiv : IN-PT-80 : Portage 2.8 E : 3.01 / MM / MM / MM IN-LK-46 : St. John 0.2 WSW : 2.67 / 0.0 / 0.0 / MM IN-LK-15 : Dyer 1.0 WNW : 2.56 / 0.0 / 0.0 / MM IN-LK-119 : Hobart 2.4 SE : 2.38 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IN-LK-110 : Highland 0.7 SW : 2.33 / MM / MM / MM IN-PT-117 : Valparaiso 5.5 SSW : 2.15 / MM / MM / MM IN-PT-98 : Valparaiso 0.9 NNW : 2.12 / 0.0 / 0.0 / MM IN-LK-124 : Schererville 2.4 E : 2.09 / MM / MM / MM IN-PT-180 : Valparaiso 2.7 ENE : 1.92 / MM / MM / MM IN-PT-70 : Valparaiso 5.8 NE : 1.88 / MM / MM / MM IN-LK-127 : Merrillville 1.4 S : 1.87 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IN-PT-128 : Valparaiso 1.0 NE : 1.86 / MM / MM / MM IN-PT-179 : Valparaiso 3.0 NNE : 1.85 / MM / MM / MM IN-LK-125 : St. John 1.7 WNW : 1.84 / MM / MM / MM IN-LK-99 : St. John 2.8 SE : 1.81 / MM / MM / MM IN-PT-185 : Valparaiso 4.6 SW : 1.76 / MM / MM / MM IN-PT-03 : Valparaiso 2.0 WSW : 1.73 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.00 IN-PT-69 : Porter 0.6 S : 1.57 / MM / MM / MM IN-PT-157 : Portage 2.4 NNW : 1.52 / MM / MM / MM IN-PT-189 : Ogden Dunes 0.4 WSW : 1.49 / MM / MM / MM IN-PT-18 : Hebron 3.7 NE : 1.34 / MM / MM / MM IN-LK-63 : Gary 4.8 ENE : 1.20 / MM / MM / MM IN-PT-159 : Chesterton 3.9 ESE : 1.09 / MM / MM / MM IN-LK-122 : Crown Point 4.0 SSE : 1.04 / MM / MM / MM IN-NW-01 : Mount Ayr 1.6 NNE : 0.65 / 0.0 / 0.0 / MM IN-JS-49 : De Motte 4.1 SW : 0.58 / MM / MM / MM IN-JS-14 : Rensselaer 5.2 NW : 0.52 / MM / MM / MM IN-JS-37 : De Motte 0.8 NNW : 0.51 / MM / MM / MM IN-LK-89 : Hammond 0.6 SSW : 0.51 / MM / MM / MM IN-BT-11 : Earl Park 5.0 NW : 0.50 / MM / MM / MM IN-JS-31 : De Motte 5.9 S : 0.45 / MM / MM / MM IN-NW-06 : Kentland 1.7 SSE : 0.45 / MM / MM / MM IN-JS-07 : Rensselaer 1.9 SSW : 0.44 / MM / MM / MM IN-JS-89 : De Motte 0.5 SSE : 0.44 / MM / MM / MM IN-JS-01 : Wheatfield 2.8 S : 0.34 / MM / MM / MM IN-JS-46 : Wheatfield 4.6 W : 0.31 / MM / MM / MM .END $$ |
Photos
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| Tornado near Dwight, IL. Photo courtesy of Tim Cygnar. | Tornado near Streator, IL. Photo courtesy of Andrew Lapinskas. | Supercell and wall cloud near Kouts, IN. Photo courtesy of Erik Carpenter. |
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| Tornado damage near Merrillville, IN. Photo courtesy of NWS Storm Survey. | Home damaged near Kouts, IN from tornado. Photo courtesy of NWS Storm Survey. | Tornado damage to a home near Streator, IL. Photo courtesy of NWS Damage Survey. |
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| Damaged power truss near Kouts, IN. Photo courtesy of NWS Storm Survey. | Tornado damage near St. John, IN. Photo courtesy of NWS Damage Survey. | Barn damaged outside of Paxton, IL. Photo courtesy of NWS Storm Survey. |
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| Damage to apartment near Bridgeview, IL. Photo courtesy of NWS Storm Survey. | Another apartment damaged near Bridgeview, IL. Photo courtesy of NWS Storm Survey. | Damaged barn near Dwight, IL. Photo courtesy of NWS Storm Survey. |
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| Home with tornado damage near Streator, IL. Photo courtesy of NWS Storm Survey. | Damage near Bartlett, IL. Photo courtesy of NWS Storm Survey. | Damage near Paxton, IL. Photo courtesy of NWS Storm Survey. |
Radar
Loop of 0.5 degree base radar reflectivity (left) and storm-relative velocity (right) from KLOT for the duration of the Streator, IL EF-3 tornado (orange line).
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Meteorology and Environment
Tornado outbreaks are rare and require an overlap of strong instability and strong wind shear. Provided both ingredients are in place, there are additional contingencies on the types of storms that develop (supercells, squall line?), number of storms (just a few or so many that they destructively interact?), direction of travel (will they remain in the favorable environment for long?), and time of day (will the storms begin to weaken after the sun sets?). And, that's not taking into account other subtle factors such as the impact of earlier rounds of showers and thunderstorms. Needless to say, a lot has to go wrong to support a tornado outbreak.
In the Lower Great Lakes region, tornado outbreaks often occur when a low pressure system intensifies while tracking from central Iowa into Wisconsin. In such scenarios, a warm front often lifts across the region, serving as a focus for both wind shear and thunderstorms. On June 11, 2026, such a meteorological set-up was forecasted to occur with a low pressure system expected to strengthen while lifting from northern Missouri toward central Wisconsin. A warm front was expected to lift across northern Illinois and into southern Wisconsin, potentially serving as a focus for tornadic thunderstorms. Taken together, there was higher than average confidence in an episode of severe weather across the region on June 11.
No forecast is clear-cut, and the regime on June 11 was no different. While the overarching weather pattern would be supportive for severe weather, there was a giant fly in the ointment whereby early-day thunderstorms were expected to impact the position of the warm front. Oftentimes, early-day thunderstorms suppress the northward movement of such frontal boundaries, leading to uncertainty as to whether the best instability (located near and south of the front) would overlap with the strongest wind shear (closer to the center of the low pressure system). While forecast models suggested the warm front would lift as far north as southern Wisconsin, the early-day thunderstorms caused the front to orient from northwest to southeast across north-central Illinois and northern Indiana.
| Storm Prediction Center Outlook | Description |
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Five Days Beforehand:
On June 7, five days before the eventual tornado outbreak, forecasters at the Storm Prediction Center highlighted the Lower Great Lakes as a region favorable for severe weather. The yellow-shaded area corresponds to the equivalent of a Level 2 out of 5 threat level for severe weather. |
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Four Days Beforehand: By June 8, four days before the outbreak, parts of the area were upgraded to the equivalent of a Level 3 out of 5 for severe weather. Such a level is relatively rare anywhere across the country four days in advance, let alone in the Great Lakes region. Included in the associated forecast discussion was a prescient statement noting a threat for tornadoes: "There is some model signal that a corridor of enhanced tornado potential could develop along and south of the surface low track from eastern IA into northern IL into central and southern WI." |
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Three Days Beforehand: Three days before the event, the big-picture items started to become more in focus. At this point, there was an emerging signal that there could be two windows of storms on June 11 with an early-day line of storms and an afternoon round of supercells. Forecasters at NWS Chicago noted in an Area Forecast Discussion: "Do want to highlight that there is a scenario where morning thunderstorms reinforce a west-to-east orientation of the warm front by late afternoon somewhere in our area. (...) The net result would likely be the development of a focused zoned of intense thunderstorms with a threat for all hazards (tornadoes, destructive winds, damaging hail, and flash flooding) in our area." |
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Two Days Beforehand: The day before the event, concern continued to rise for a regional severe weather outbreak. The Storm Prediction Center broadened the areal extent of the Level 3 out of 5 threat level area. In addition, forecasters at NWS Chicago remained focused on the apparently growing threat for tornadoes. In an Area Forecast Discussion, it was noted: "Of particular concern is the rapid increase in low-level flow on the southeastern flank of the surface low during the evening hours. (...) Accordingly, should supercell storm modes be maintained along the warm front, there will be a threat for strong (EF-2+) tornadoes." |
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The Day Of: The day of the tornado outbreak, the Storm Prediction Center issued a rare level 4 out of 5 threat level area across northern Illinois driven by a threat for tornadoes. In addition, forecasters at NWS Chicago noted great concern for tornadoes, noting in an Area Forecast Discussion:
"Am quite concerned in a relatively narrow west-to-east zone favorable for strong to intense tornadoes (EF-3+) somewhere across southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois particularly between 4 and 8 PM. (...) Pinpointing the eventual location of the warm front will be paramount to identifying the zone of greatest tornado potential (...)" |
Link to Storm Prediction Center Archive Page for this event
Individual Meteorological Variables:
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| Surface pressure analysis at 6 PM showing a seasonably deep area of low pressure around 1000 mb shifting across southern Wisconsin. | Temperature and dewpoint analysis at 6 PM. Strong south to southeasterly winds were helping push increased moisture northward following widespread morning rain and thunderstorms. | Accompany surface observations at 6 PM. Temperatures jumped around 7-11 degrees in 1-2 hours, and dewpoints additionally surged back into the upper 70s. |
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| Winds around 20,000 feet at 6 PM were near 50 knots and steadily increasing with the approach of a robust upper-level disturbance. | Winds around 5,000 feet. These were rapidly increasing, to around 45-50 knots. This rapid increase promoted a considerable uptick in low-level wind shear. | 0-1 km wind shear analysis around 6 PM. Values were increasing through 30-35 knots, which is exceptionally strong and supportive of low-level storm rotation. |
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| Significant Tornado Parameter analysis at 6 PM. Values in excess of 5 highlight a volatile environment supportive of general updraft rotation and tornado development. | Violent Tornado Parameter analysis at 6 PM. Values over 8-10 highlight that the parameter space was rapidly becoming supportive of significant tornadoes. | A special 21z (4 PM) upper air sounding from Lincoln, Illinois showing a highly favorable thermodynamic and kinematic environment for severe, rotating thunderstorms. |
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Media use of NWS Web News Stories is encouraged! Please acknowledge the NWS as the source of any news information accessed from this site. Additional event recaps can be found on the NWS Chicago Past Events Page |
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