NWS Chicago ILTO.W 0015April 17, 2026
Tornado Warning: Winnebago, IL
The National Weather Service office in Chicago issued a tornado warning for Winnebago in Illinois, which was in force until 5:15 p.m. local time on April 17. It was the 15th tornado warning the NWS office in Chicago issued in 2026. Illinois had 109 tornado warnings in April 2026, against 19 in an average April of 2008-2025 (Illinois's tornado warnings by year).
ExpiredWarning
In force for 1.1 hours; it has expired. The agency may have replaced it with a new notice.
The notice
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Chicago IL
- Area
- Winnebago
- State
- Illinois
- Level
- Warning
- Issued
- 4:09 p.m. CDT, April 17, 2026
- Expires
- 5:15 p.m. CDT, April 17, 2026
- CAP severity, certainty, urgency
- Extreme, Observed, Immediate
- VTEC event
- KLOT TO.W 0015
- Official source
- National Weather Service: the notice at its source
Tornado Warnings in Illinois since 2008Every warning type in Illinois
Source: National Weather Service: the notice at its source. AreaZine rebuilds this page from the agency's record; the agency's page is the one to act on. A U.S. Government work, in the public domain.
The notice as issued
TORLOT The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a * Tornado Warning for... Winnebago County in north central Illinois... * Until 515 PM CDT. * At 409 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Dakota, or near Freeport, moving east at 40 mph. HAZARD...Tornado and golf ball size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. * This dangerous storm will be near... Durand around 425 PM CDT. Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include Machesney Park, Roscoe, Rockton and South Beloit.
What the agency told people to do
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.
Source: National Weather Service: the notice at its source. The text is the agency's, unedited. A U.S. Government work, in the public domain.