Tom Ackerman

SPRINGFIELD, IL – At least two tornadoes on June 17 have been confirmed in central Illinois by the National Weather Service, and reports are starting to come out about the damage.

Springfield State Journal-Register June 18, 2026, 11:25 a.m. CT SPRINGFIELD – A Springfield man was found dead near a construction site on the morning of June 18.

Springfield has been celebrating Juneteenth all week. Here's a schedule of events for the final two days.

High pressure takes over early in the weekend, and we're set for a much calmer start to it. Expect mostly to partly sunny skies Friday with below normal highs in the upper 70s and much lower humidity. Saturday looks great too with plenty of sunshine and highs edging into the low 80s. A frontal system approaches late in the weekend and unfortunately, scattered showers and storms return later in the day Sunday. If you have outdoor plans for Father's Day, have a plan B ready to roll. Showers and storms ramp up Sunday night into Monday with heavy rain and strong storms possible to start the new week.

The federal holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States will mean that various places around the city will be open and closed.

A cold front slowly sags south across the Commonwealth Monday and after a round of overnight strong to severe storms, we'll see lingering showers and storms mainly across southeastern counties later in the day. A flood watch is in effect until noon in the Bluegrass, watch for heavy rain and the potential for localized flooding. Extensive cloud cover and winds kicking over to the northwest will keep the temperature tamped down slightly, with highs in the upper 70s in the Bluegrass and around 80° southeast. High pressure takes over Tuesday and sunshine returns with highs around 80°. We'll stay mostly sunny and in the low to mid 80s through Wednesday.

Here are the best buffet restaurants in Springfield, according to the 2025 Official Community's Choice Awards.

High pressure takes over Tuesday, and clouds slowly break. Expect partly to mostly sunny skies with highs in the upper 70s, around 80°. Wednesday looks good too, more sunshine with highs edging into the low 80s. After a couple of days off from active weather, watch for a few showers and storms Thursday with more widespread showers and storms likely heading into the weekend. Strong storms and heavy rain will be possible Friday and Saturday.

The Grammy and Golden-Globe-nominated rapper Wiz Khalifa will perform at the Illinois State Fair in August.

It's nice and quiet as we reach the middle of the week, but it won't stay that way for long. Expect mostly to partly sunny skies with highs in the low 80s Wednesday. Thursday will end up partly sunny and in the mid 80s with a few afternoon showers and storms possible. Active weather fires up just as we get the weekend started. Watch for scattered showers and storms Friday that will linger overnight into Saturday. Strong storms and heavy rain will be possible. After the active weather diminishes late in the weekend, we're cranking up the heat and humidity next week with highs soaring to the upper 80s, low 90s and the heat index pushing triple digits. Good pool weather but not great for folks working outside.