National Weather ServiceIllinoisTornado WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Warnings in Illinois
The National Weather Service issued 227 tornado warnings for Illinois in 2025 and 123 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 5th most of any state. 2026 through September: 333, 211% above the average of 107 for those months in 2008-2025. St. Clair was covered most often (94 times since 2008).
How many tornado warnings does Illinois get?
Every tornado warning that covered part of Illinois. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 333 |
| 2025 | 227 |
| 2024 | 186 |
| 2023 | 141 |
| 2022 | 51 |
| 2021 | 146 |
| 2020 | 80 |
| 2019 | 109 |
| 2018 | 68 |
| 2017 | 83 |
| 2016 | 90 |
| 2015 | 95 |
| 2014 | 72 |
| 2013 | 126 |
| 2012 | 83 |
| 2011 | 215 |
| 2010 | 134 |
| 2009 | 108 |
| 2008 | 194 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Clair | 94 | 31 | June 21, 2026 |
| Madison | 90 | 26 | June 21, 2026 |
| Sangamon | 88 | 32 | June 17, 2026 |
| Christian | 84 | 31 | June 22, 2026 |
| Macon | 80 | 36 | June 17, 2026 |
| Pike | 80 | 15 | June 17, 2026 |
| Tazewell | 75 | 36 | June 11, 2026 |
| Fayette | 74 | 25 | June 21, 2026 |
| McLean | 74 | 27 | June 11, 2026 |
| Logan | 72 | 34 | June 17, 2026 |
| Jackson | 71 | 18 | March 15, 2026 |
| Henry | 69 | 37 | August 10, 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 tornado warnings for Illinois in AreaZine's record
NWS LincolnWarningSeptember 20, 2026
Tornado Warning: Clay and Effingham, IL
Expired 7:45 p.m. CDT, September 20, 2026
NWS Quad Cities IAWarningAugust 21, 2026
Tornado Warning: Bureau and Putnam, IL
Expired 7:45 p.m. CDT, August 21, 2026
NWS ChicagoWarningAugust 11, 2026
Tornado Warning: Cook, DuPage, Kane and 2 more, IL
Expired 11:00 a.m. CDT, August 11, 2026
NWS ChicagoWarningAugust 10, 2026
Tornado Warning: Ford and Livingston, IL
Expired 2:00 a.m. CDT, August 10, 2026
NWS ChicagoWarningAugust 10, 2026
Tornado Warning: Ford, Kankakee and Livingston, IL
Expired 1:15 a.m. CDT, August 10, 2026
NWS ChicagoWarningAugust 9, 2026
Tornado Warning: La Salle, IL
Expired 12:00 a.m. CDT, August 10, 2026
NWS ChicagoWarningJuly 27, 2026
Tornado Warning: Iroquois and Kankakee, IL
Expired 5:00 p.m. CDT, July 27, 2026
NWS ChicagoWarningJuly 27, 2026
Tornado Warning: Kendall and Will, IL
Expired 4:00 p.m. CDT, July 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 tornado warning?
The NWS issues a tornado warning when a tornado has been seen or weather radar indicates one in the warned area. Warnings are drawn as polygons around the storm's path and usually last 30 to 60 minutes. 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.