Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville IL
244 PM CST Tue Feb 17 2026

ILZ003>006-008-010>013-019>021-023-032-033-039-103>108-INZ001-002-
010-011-019-182045-
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-
244 PM CST Tue Feb 17 2026 /344 PM EST Tue Feb 17 2026/

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Weather hazards expected...

  Limited Thunderstorm Risk.

DISCUSSION...

A few isolated non-severe storms are possible tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Wednesday...
  Elevated Fire Weather Risk.
  Limited Non-Thunderstorm Wind Risk.
Thursday...
  Limited Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
     Level 2 of 5 Severe Thunderstorm Risk.

DISCUSSION...

The combination of unseasonably warm and dry conditions and gusty
winds on Wednesday will result in an elevated risk for grass and
brush fire spread.

West southwest winds on Wednesday will be gusting around 30-40
mph.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

  Spotter activation will not be necessary through tonight.

GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:

  Moving toward the east at 50 mph.

$$

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Chicago IL
932 PM CST Tue Feb 17 2026

...A FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR WEDNESDAY...

The combination of unseasonably warm temperatures (highs in the
60s), dry conditions (RH values around 15-25%), and gusty west-
southwest winds (gusting around 35-40 mph) will lead to an
elevated fire danger on Wednesday. While fuel moistures may be
more questionable in some areas, local fire agencies indicate
that finer fuels are primed and could lead to rapid fire spread
in these conditions. For this reason, a Fire Weather Watch has
been issued for portions of northern Illinois on Wednesday.
Confidence in Red Flag Warning criteria being met is currently
highest along and north of Interstate 88.

ILZ003>006-008-010>014-019>022-181145-
/O.CON.KLOT.FW.A.0001.260218T1500Z-260219T0200Z/
Winnebago-Boone-McHenry-Lake IL-Ogle-Lee-De Kalb-Kane-DuPage-Cook-
La Salle-Kendall-Grundy-Will-
932 PM CST Tue Feb 17 2026

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM CST WEDNESDAY
THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING...

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

* Timing...From 9 AM CST Wednesday through Wednesday evening.

* Winds...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 to 45 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 15 percent.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$

Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov