A confirmed tornado struck Crawford County, Illinois, on the evening of February 19, 2026, destroying a house near New Hebron and trapping occupants inside. Emergency crews responded as local authorities reported significant damage to structures and power infrastructure.
Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories were issued across parts of Michigan, New York, New England, and Pennsylvania early Friday, February 20, 2026, with heavy snow and ice forecast to impact travel through February 21. Snowfall totals of 10 to 28 cm (4 to 11 inches) and ice accumulations up to 6 mm (0.25 inches) are expected in warning areas.
A winter storm system developing over the central United States on February 19, 2026, is expected to produce snow and ice from the Northern Plains to the Northeast, while also supporting tornado and large hail potential in the Midwest.
Severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes, large hail, and damaging wind gusts are forecast across parts of the Midwest and lower Ohio Valley on February 19, 2026, with an Enhanced Risk in place for southern Illinois and southern Indiana. The Storm Prediction Center warns that a few tornadoes may be strong, particularly near and south of the I-70 corridor during the afternoon and early evening.
The Ranger Road Fire nearly doubled in size from 58 700 ha (145 000 acres) to over 114 650 ha (283 000 acres) within roughly 24 hours after ignition at 11:40 LT on February 17, 2026, when it crossed the Kansas–Oklahoma border. As of February 18, containment stood at 15% following rapid expansion driven by dry fuels and high winds. Authorities closed sections of Kansas highways 283, 160, and 183.
Eight skiers have been confirmed dead in the Castle Peak Avalanche, which occurred on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. This is now the deadliest avalanche on record for California and the second deadliest avalanche in the United States since modern record-keeping began in 1950.
Atmospheric river associated with a slow-moving low-pressure system is forecast to impact California between February 21 and 26, 2026, bringing another round of heavy precipitation to the state. The Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) indicates very high confidence (>90%) in atmospheric river conditions along northern California through February 23, with moderate-to-high confidence of the AR conditions shifting south along the coast by February 24.
Multiple wildfires burning across Oklahoma have scorched over 62 720 ha (155 000 acres) as of February 18, 2026, prompting Governor Kevin Stitt to declare a State of Emergency in Beaver, Texas, and Woodward counties. The Ranger Road Fire alone burned approximately 58 700 ha (145 000 acres) across Oklahoma and southern Kansas, with 0% containment reported.
A fast-moving Ranger Road Fire ignited on February 17, 2026, in Beaver County, Oklahoma, and expanded into southern Kansas by February 18, burning approximately 58 700 ha (145 000 acres) within hours. The wildfire prompted mandatory evacuations in Clark County, Kansas, and injured at least four firefighters during suppression efforts.
Six skiers were rescued, and nine are still missing after an avalanche struck a guided expedition near Castle Peak in California’s Sierra Nevada on February 17, 2026. Search and rescue crews continue working through deep snow and strong winds under a high avalanche danger warning.
