Illinois on the verge of setting new annual tornado record

Published 2:57 pm Wednesday, June 17, 2026

QUINCY — Even as more storm systems start popping up Wednesday, a new report of weather data shows that Illinois is on the verge of shattering a record set last year for the number of tornadoes touching down.

According to data collected by AccuWeather, as of Sunday, 145 tornadoes have been reported, at least on a preliminary basis, across the state. The current record of 147 was set during 2025, and that mark may be passed as early as Wednesday afternoon.

Preliminary reporting data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, shows that Illinois has had the most tornadoes reported of any state in the country so far in 2026. To date, Missouri and Iowa combined fall short of the number reported in Illinois alone, and Illinois is the only state to cross into triple digits.

The season for tornadoes has also seen a shift off of normal this year. Illinois’s tornado season has traditionally fallen along the same lines as Plains states like Kansas and Oklahoma, covering from late April into late May or early June. This year, however, there have been a number of outbreaks from storms later into June.

While these “peak seasons” are based on historic trends, NOAA does note that tornadoes can and do happen any time of the year and any time of the day or night.

While tornadoes are a main focus of attention during storm seasons, damage can also come from other sources, including flash flooding, large hail, and tornadic-strength straight-line winds. Residents should keep an eye on news media broadcasts for breaking severe weather updates. Having a properly programmed, battery-powered weather radio will keep residents up to date even in the case of power outages.