Severe Weather Forecast for Tri-State on Thursday

National Weather Service warns of damaging winds and possible tornadoes

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The National Weather Service has placed large parts of the Tri-State region under a "slight risk" for severe weather on Thursday afternoon and evening, with the potential for damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes. The storms are expected to roll through between 1 and 7 PM, ahead of a sharp temperature drop over the next few days.

Why it matters

Severe thunderstorms can cause significant property damage and pose a threat to public safety, so the NWS warning allows residents and local authorities to prepare and take appropriate precautions. The Tri-State area has experienced its share of powerful storms in recent years, so this forecast is an important heads-up for the region.

The details

According to the NWS advisory, the storms will likely be focused east of Interstate 57 and near and north of Interstate 64. Small hail is also possible in addition to the damaging winds and potential tornadoes. Temperatures are expected to plummet after the storms, with Evansville potentially reaching 70 degrees on Thursday before only reaching the mid-50s on Friday and the upper 30s by Sunday.

  • The storms are expected to roll through the Tri-State area between 1 and 7 PM on Thursday, February 18, 2026.

The players

National Weather Service

The National Weather Service is the primary government agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing severe weather alerts in the United States.

Derrick Snyder

A senior forecaster at the Paducah, Kentucky office of the National Weather Service, who provided details on the severe weather threat to local media outlets.

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What they’re saying

“Damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes will be the main threats. Small hail (is) possible too.”

— Derrick Snyder, Senior Forecaster (NWS advisory)

What’s next

Residents in the Tri-State area should monitor the weather forecast closely and be prepared to take shelter if severe storms develop on Thursday afternoon and evening.

The takeaway

This severe weather warning highlights the importance of staying vigilant and prepared for potentially dangerous storms, even during the winter months. Heeding NWS advisories can help communities in the Tri-State region stay safe and minimize the impact of damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes.