Illinois Sees Tornado Surge, Rewriting the Tornado Alley Map

Illinois recorded 173 tornadoes in 2026, the most in the country and signaling a northward shift of Tornado Alley. While experts note the region around parts of Illinois and I-80 now see more tornadic activity, Chicago itself isn’t officially in Tornado Alley; lake-effect winds and Gulf moisture interact to influence storms. The surge is aided by improved radar and reporting, all pointing to a broader, climate-linked trend toward more frequent tornadoes across the Midwest.