Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville IL
235 PM CST Wed Feb 18 2026

ILZ003>006-008-010>013-019>021-023-032-033-039-103>108-INZ001-002-
010-011-019-192045-
Winnebago-Boone-McHenry-Lake IL-Ogle-Lee-De Kalb-Kane-DuPage-
La Salle-Kendall-Grundy-Kankakee-Livingston-Iroquois-Ford-
Northern Cook-Central Cook-Southern Cook-Northern Will-
Southern Will-Eastern Will-Lake IN-Porter-Newton-Jasper-Benton-
235 PM CST Wed Feb 18 2026 /335 PM EST Wed Feb 18 2026/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Illinois...northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Weather hazards expected...

  Significant Fire Weather Risk through sunset.
  Elevated Non Thunderstorm Wind Risk through sunset.

DISCUSSION...

The combination of unseasonably warm, exceptionally dry
and windy conditions will maintain a significant risk for grass
and brush fire spread through sunset especially across Illinois.

West southwest winds will gust up to 45 mph today, especially
across northern Illinois.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Thursday...
  Limited Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
     Level 2 of 5 Severe Thunderstorm Risk.
Saturday...
  Limited Snow Risk near the Wisconsin state line.

DISCUSSION...

Thunderstorms may develop during the morning and afternoon hours
across the area. A few storms may become severe, especially during
the afternoon hours.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

  Spotter activation will not be necessary through tonight.

$$

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Chicago IL
242 PM CST Wed Feb 18 2026

ILZ003>006-008-010>013-103-104-190000-
/O.CON.KLOT.WI.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-260219T0000Z/
Winnebago-Boone-McHenry-Lake IL-Ogle-Lee-De Kalb-Kane-DuPage-
Northern Cook-Central Cook-
Including the cities of Crystal Lake, Palatine, Wheaton, Gurnee,
McHenry, Woodstock, Oak Park, Belvidere, Waukegan, Lombard,
DeKalb, Oak Lawn, Dixon, Sycamore, Oregon, Rochelle, Byron,
Evanston, Downers Grove, Carol Stream, Mundelein, La Grange,
Northbrook, Algonquin, Aurora, Naperville, Buffalo Grove, Elgin,
Schaumburg, Des Plaines, Cicero, Chicago, and Rockford
242 PM CST Wed Feb 18 2026

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph
  occurring.

* WHERE...Boone, De Kalb, Lee, Ogle, Winnebago, Central Cook,
  DuPage, Kane, Lake IL, McHenry, and Northern Cook Counties.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM CST this evening.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
  limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

&&

$$

Borchardt

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Chicago IL
224 PM CST Wed Feb 18 2026

ILZ003>006-008-010>014-019>023-032-190200-
/O.CON.KLOT.FW.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260219T0200Z/
Winnebago-Boone-McHenry-Lake IL-Ogle-Lee-De Kalb-Kane-DuPage-Cook-
La Salle-Kendall-Grundy-Will-Kankakee-Livingston-
224 PM CST Wed Feb 18 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CST THIS
EVENING...

* Affected Area...Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Lake IL, Ogle, Lee,
  De Kalb, Kane, DuPage, Cook, La Salle, Kendall, Grundy, Will,
  Kankakee and Livingston.

* Timing...Until 8 PM CST this evening.

* Winds...Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 17 percent.

* Impacts...Any fire that develops will catch and spread
  quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov