Severe Storms and Tornadoes Possible in Springfield Area

National Weather Service warns of high winds, heavy rain, and potential for EF-3 tornadoes

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The National Weather Service is forecasting two rounds of severe weather in the Springfield, Illinois area on Tuesday, with the potential for tornadoes rated as high as EF-3 earlier in the day, followed by heavy rain and high winds overnight into Wednesday morning. Meteorologists say the storms could bring 1-1.5 inches of rain to the Springfield area, with some parts of the region seeing double that total.

Why it matters

Severe storms and tornadoes can cause significant damage to property and infrastructure, as well as pose a threat to public safety. The Springfield area has seen its share of extreme weather events in recent years, and this latest forecast highlights the ongoing need for residents to stay vigilant and prepared.

The details

According to Meteorologist Rebekka Copple at the National Weather Service in Lincoln, the first round of storms could produce tornadoes as strong as EF-3, but that will depend on whether a cap that prevents storms from forming can be broken. The strongest storms are expected to be primarily along and north of I-72, but the entire forecast area could see potentially severe storms. The second round of weather overnight into Wednesday morning is expected to bring more high winds and heavy rain, with some areas potentially seeing up to 3 inches of rainfall.

  • The first round of severe storms and potential tornadoes is expected to hit the Springfield area on Tuesday.
  • The second round of high winds and heavy rain is forecast to continue overnight into Wednesday morning.

The players

Rebekka Copple

Meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Lincoln, Illinois.

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What they’re saying

“We're going to get more coverage, and we're going to start transitioning into more of a wind threat as it becomes more linear. This is where we could start to see some...areas with higher rainfall amounts.”

— Rebekka Copple, Meteorologist (CapitolCityNow.com)

“We're going to see storms all over the place. The strongest storms...looks like it's going to be primarily along and north of I-72, but we're going to see potentially severe storms across our entire forecast area.”

— Rebekka Copple, Meteorologist (CapitolCityNow.com)

What’s next

If severe weather breaks out, the latest warnings and details will be provided on Newstalk 93.9 & AM 1240 WTAX and CapitolCityNow.com.

The takeaway

This severe weather forecast highlights the ongoing need for Springfield area residents to stay vigilant and prepared for the possibility of damaging storms and tornadoes. While the exact timing and intensity of the weather remains uncertain, the National Weather Service is warning of a potentially dangerous situation that could unfold on Tuesday.