National Weather ServiceIllinoisHigh Wind WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
High Wind Warnings in Illinois
The National Weather Service issued 4 high wind warnings for Illinois in 2025 and 4 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 36th most of any state. 2026 through September: 7, 200% above the average of 2 for those months in 2008-2025. Lake was covered most often (21 times since 2008).
How many high wind warnings does Illinois get?
Every high wind warning that covered part of Illinois. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 7 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2008 | 6 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Illinois get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Illinois?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake | 21 | 3 | April 27, 2026 |
| DuPage | 20 | 4 | June 11, 2026 |
| Kane | 19 | 4 | June 11, 2026 |
| McHenry | 19 | 3 | April 27, 2026 |
| Boone | 16 | 2 | March 13, 2026 |
| Cook | 16 | 0 | November 27, 2019 |
| Kankakee | 15 | 3 | March 15, 2026 |
| Winnebago | 15 | 2 | March 13, 2026 |
| Grundy | 14 | 3 | June 11, 2026 |
| Iroquois | 14 | 3 | March 15, 2026 |
| Kendall | 14 | 3 | June 11, 2026 |
| Lee | 14 | 2 | March 13, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest high wind warnings for Illinois in AreaZine's record
NWS ChicagoWarningJune 11, 2026
High Wind Warning: Kane, DuPage, Kendall and 6 more, IL
Expired 4:00 p.m. CDT, June 11, 2026
NWS ChicagoWarningApril 27, 2026
High Wind Warning: McHenry, Lake, De Kalb and 4 more, IL
Expired 4:00 p.m. CDT, April 27, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a high wind warning?
A high wind warning means sustained winds of 40 mph or more for an hour or longer, or gusts of 58 mph or more, in most offices; some mountain and coastal offices use higher values. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in Illinois.