tor watch pm3 2-19-26

Yellow shading indicates areas under a Tornado Watch on Feb. 19, 2026. (WAND Weather)

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for some areas of central and southern Illinois Thursday. 

The Storm Prediction Center issued the watch for Coles, Cumberland, Edgar, Effingham, and Moultrie counties until 8 p.m. CT.

severe map 021926

The severe weather risk as determined by the National Weather Service for Illinois on Feb. 19, 2026. (WAND Weather)

NWS said tornadoes are possible, some severe and strong. Hail is also possible and some areas could see hail sizes bigger than walnuts. Wind gusts could also reach 60 to 70 miles per hour. 

Storms Thursday afternoon produced several tornado warnings in southeast Illinois. 

TRACK THE STORMS | Click here for a weather radar to keep an eye on the storms

The WAND Weather Team has been expecting severe weather for several days. An enhanced risk (3 of 5) is in place for most of Central Illinois. 

Following the storms, temperatures are expected to drop into the 30s and 40s for the next several days. 

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