• State Climatologist: Illinois breaks multiple severe-weather records before September

    Sep 9, 2026 8:30 am by Trent FordWater Survey
    Lightning flashes over trees and homes.

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    • Lightning flashes over trees and homes.

    In 2026, Illinois has set a new annual record number of tornadoes, set a new state hailstone record, and withstood flash floods, derechos, and seemingly everything in between — and it’s only September.