Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 1986

Tornado Warning 3, NWS Chicago, IL

July 6, 1986Lake County, McHenry County, Illinois

NWS Chicago, IL issued this tornado warning at Jul 6, 1986, 7:23 PM CDT for Lake County, McHenry County, Illinois. It was in force for 67 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jul 6, 1986, 7:23 PM CDT (00:23 UTC)
Expired
Jul 6, 1986, 8:30 PM CDT
In force
67 min
Issued by
NWS Chicago, IL
Area
Whole counties

Counties Lake County, IL, McHenry County, IL

The radar

The WSR-88D network and its archive begin in 1991, so there is no radar volume for this alert.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jul 6, 7:45 PM CDTTornado F0Lake, IL

NCEI Storm Data entries that began inside the alert's area while it was in force. Before 2003 the local storm report archive is thin, so this is the record of what happened rather than what was phoned in. Storm Data before 1996 records only tornadoes, thunderstorm wind and hail.

The nearest sounding before it

Green Bay/Straub, WI (KGRB), launched 00:00Z, 0.4 hours before the alert went out and 238 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Green Bay/Straub, WI at 00:00Z on 1986-07-07Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Green Bay/Straub, WI at 00:00Z on 1986-07-07The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 11 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1867 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
36 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
11 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
76 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
TTAA00 KCHI 070023
TORCHI
ILC111-097-070130-

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED/EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED 
TORNADO AND SPECIAL MARINE WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO IL
723 PM CDT SUN JUL 6 1986

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A TORNADO AND SPECIAL 
MARINE WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL 830 PM CDT FOR PEOPLE IN THE 
FOLLOWING COUNTIES OF

NORTHEAST ILLINOIS...EASTERN MCHENRY AND LAKE
...THIS WARNING ALSO INCLUDES THE ADJACENT PORTIONS OF LAKE MICHIGAN

AT 7 20 PM MCHENRY COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES SPOTTED A TORNADO
APPRACHING THE CITY OF MCHENRY FROM CRYSTAL LAKE.

THIS STORM WAS MOVING NORTHEAST ABOUT 35 MILES AN HOUR.

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM.  TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY !

IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS TORNADO...YOU SHOULD GO TO A
BASEMENT SHELTER IF AVAILABLE. OTHERWISE GO TO A CENTRAL INTERIOR
ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR POSSIBLE.  ABANDON CARS AND MOBILE HOMES
FOR A REINFORCED BUILDING.

YOU MAY REPORT ANY SEVERE WEATHER SUCH AS TORNADOES...DAMAGING
WINDS...LARGE HAIL...OR FLOODING TO YOUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCY AND ASK THEM TO RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE OFFICE.

ATTN ISP 2 AND 15

SOMREK

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 6, 4:21 PM CDT, 3 hours 2 minutes before
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ROCKFORD IL
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
420  PM CDT SUN JULY 6 1986

  ... STRONG THUNDERSTORM MOVING TOWARD DIXON ILLINOIS ...

AT 418 PM A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS INDICATED ON RADAR NEAR STERLING
ILLINOIS WHICH IS ABOUT 45 MILES NORTHEAST OF MOLINE ILLINOIS.
MOVEMENT WAS NORTHEAST AT ABOUT 25 MPH.

THE THUNDERSTORM IS HEADING FOR SOUTHWEST OGLE COUNTY AND NORTHWEST
LEE COUNTY... PERSON NEAR THE COMMUNITES OF DIXON.. POLO.. GRAND
DETOUR.. WOOSUNG.. AND PALMYRA BE ALERT FOR THIS THUNDERSTORM.

THIS THUNDERSTORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING STRONG GUSTY SURFACE WINDS..
VERY HEAVY RAIN.. AND POSSIBLY SOME SMALL HAIL.  MOST OF ALL... DEADLY
LIGHTNING!  IF OUT-OF-DOORS MOVE TO AN INSIDE SHELTER OR AUTOMOBILE.
STAY OFF OF WATER AND AWAY FROM TREES... BOTH FREQUENT CONDUCTORS OF
LIGHTNING.  STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND ELECTRIC APPLIANCES WHICH TO
CAN CONDUCT ELECTRICITY.

PLEASE REPORT STORM DAMAGE AND SEVERE WEATHER TO? LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICIALS AND ASK THEM TO RELAY THIS INFORMATION TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHR SERVICE.

ATTN: ISP DIST 1
PIERCE
Special weather statement, Jul 6, 5:03 PM CDT, 2 hours 20 minutes before
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ROCKFORD IL
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
505 PM CDT SUN JULY 6 1986

  ... ANOTHER STRONG THUNDERSTORM MOVING TOWARD DIXON ILLINOIS ...

AT 502 PM A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS INDICATED ON RADAR WEST OF
STERLING ILLINOIS WHICH IS ABOUT 45 MILES NORTHEAST OF MOLINE ILLINOIS.
ANOTHERN STRONG STORM WAS JUST WEST OF OREGON ILLINOIS.. 20 SOUTH
OF ROCKFORD.  MOVEMENT WAS NORTHEAST AT ABOUT 25 MPH.

THE THUNDERSTORMS ARE HEADING AROSS OGLE COUNTY AND TOWARD NORTHWEST
LEE COUNTY... PERSON NEAR THE COMMUNITES OF DIXON.. POLO.. GRAND
DETOUR.. ROCHELLE AND PALMYRA BE ALERT FOR THIS THUNDERSTORM.

THIS THUNDERSTORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING STRONG GUSTY SURFACE WINDS..
VERY HEAVY RAIN.. AND POSSIBLY SOME SMALL HAIL.  MOST OF ALL... DEADLY
LIGHTNING!  IF OUT-OF-DOORS MOVE TO AN INSIDE SHELTER OR AUTOMOBILE.
STAY OFF OF WATER AND AWAY FROM TREES... BOTH FREQUENT CONDUCTORS OF
LIGHTNING.  STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND ELECTRIC APPLIAkNCES WHICH TO
CAN CONDUCT ELECTRICITY.

PLEASE REPORT STORM DAMAGE AND SEVERE WEATHER TO LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICIALS AND ASK THEM TO RELAY THIS INFORMATION TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE.

ATTN: ISP DIST 1
PIERCE
Special weather statement, Jul 6, 5:35 PM CDT, 1 hour 48 minutes before
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ROCKFORD IL
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
530 PM CDT SUN JULY 6 1986

  ... STRONG THUNDERSTORM ACROSS NORTHERN ILLINOIS ...

AT 525 PM A STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WAS INDICATED ON RADAR ACROSS EAST
CARROLL COUNTY NEAR LANARK OR 40 WEST OF ROCKFORD ON SOUTH TO JUST WEST
OF PEORIA ILLINOIS.  ANOTHER STRONG STORM WAS JUST SOUTH OF ROCKFORD.
MOVEMENT WAS NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH.

THE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE MOVING NEAR THE COMMUNITIES OF DIXON..
FREEPORT.. OREGON.. BELVIDERE.. ROCHELLE.. DE KALB.. MILLEDGEVILLE..
THE GREATER ROCKFORD METRO AREA.. AND BYRON IN THE NEXT ONE OR TWO
HOURS.

THIS THUNDERSTORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING STRONG GUSTY SURFACE WINDS..
VERY HEAVY RAIN.. POSSIBLY SOME SMALL HAIL..  MOST OF ALL... DEADLY
LIGHTNING!  IF OUT-OF-DOORS MOVE TO AN INSIDE SHELTER OR AUTOMOBILE.
STAY OFF OF WATER AND AWAY FROM TREES... BOTH FREQUENT CONDUCTORS OF
LIGHTNING.  STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND ELECTRIC APPLIANCES WHICH TO
CAN CONDUCT ELECTRICITY.

PLEASE REPORT STORM DAMAGE AND SEVERE WEATHER TO LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICIALS AND ASK THEM TO RELAY THIS INFORMATION TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE.

ATTN: ISP DIST 1.. 2.. 16
PIERCE
Special weather statement, Jul 6, 6:05 PM CDT, 1 hour 18 minutes before
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ROCKFORD IL
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
603 PM CDT SUN JULY 6 1986

  ...STRONG THUNDERSTORM HEADING FOR GREATER ROCKFORD METRO AREA...

AT 600 PM A STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WERE INDICATED ON RADAR FROM EAST
FREEPORT IL OR 25 WEST OF ROCKFORD ON SOUTH TO JUST WEST PEORIA
ILLINOIS.  ONE OF THE STRONGER STORMS WAS JUST EAST OF FREEPORT
LLINOIS.  ANOTHER STRONG STORM WAS JUST SOUTHEAST OF ROCKFORD.
MOVEMENT WAS NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH.

THE THUNDERSTORM JUST EAST OF ROCKFORD WILL BE MOVING ACROSS BOONE AND
NORTHERN DEKALB COUNTIES IN THE NEXT HOUR.. AFFECTING BELVIDERE AND
SYCAMORE AREAS.  THE THUNDERSTORMS JUST WEST OF ROCKFORD WILL BE MOVING
INTO THE ROCKFORD METRO AREA IN THE NEXT FEW MINUTES.

THIS THUNDERSTORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING STRONG GUSTY SURFACE WINDS..
VERY HEAVY RAIN.. POSSIBLY SOME SMALL HAIL..  MOST OF ALL... DEADLY
LIGHTNING!  IF OUT-OF-DOORS MOVE TO AN INSIDE SHELTER OR AUTOMOBILE.
STAY OFF OF WATER AND AWAY FROM TREES... BOTH FREQUENT CONDUCTORS OF
LIGHTNING.  STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND ELECTRIC APPLIANCES WHICH TO
CAN CONDUCT ELECTRICITY.  THE HEAVY RAIN PRODUCED BY THESE THUNDERSTORMS
MAKE CAUSE SOME MINOR STREET.. DRAINAGE DITCH.. AND LOW AREA FLOODING.

PLEASE REPORT STORM DAMAGE AND SEVERE WEATHER TO LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICIALS AND ASK THEM TO RELAY THIS INFORMATION TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE.

ATTN: ISP DIST 1.. 2.. 16
PIERCE
Special weather statement, Jul 6, 6:37 PM CDT, 46 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO IL
6 35 PM CDT SUN JUL 6 1986

AT 6 35 PM AN AREA OF VERY HEAVY THUNDERSTORMS WAS POISED JUST WEST
OF THE CHICAGO AREA. THESE STORMS WERE ROUGHLY IN A LINE FROM FOX
LAKE.. 45 MILES NORTHWEST OF THE LOOP.. TO PEORIA.

THE STORMS WERE MOVING EAST AT 30 MILES AN HOUR.  THEY WILL PASS
THROUGH THE CHICAGO AREA BETWEEN 7 AND 10 PM THIS EVENING.

THE STORMS WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY STRONG WINDS WITH GUSTS TO 40 MILES
AN HOUR AND AREAS OF HEAVY RAINFALL.

SOMREK
Special weather statement, Jul 6, 6:45 PM CDT, 38 minutes before
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ROCKFORD IL
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
640 PM CDT SUN JULY 6 1986

  ...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS MOVING ACROSS NORTHERN ILLINOIS...

AT 638 PM A STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WERE INDICATED ON RADAR FROM NEAR
ROCKFORD ON SOUTH TO JUST NEAR PEORIA ILLINOIS.  ONE OF THE
STRONGER STORMS WAS JUST NORTH OF ROCKFORD AND ANOTHER STRONG
STORM WAS JUST SOUTHEAST OF ROCKFORD.  MOVEMENT OF THE THUNDERSTORMS
WAS NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH.

THE PEAK WIND GUST WHEN THE STORMS MOVED OVER THE AIRPORT WAS 41 MPH..
AT 618 PM

THE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE MOVING ACROSS BOONE.. DEKALB.. EASTERN LEE
AND EASTERN OGLE COUNTIES OF NORTH CENTRAL ILLINIOS.  SOME OF THE
COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY THESE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE.. BELVIDERE..
DEKALB.. ROCHELLE.. COMPTON.. SANDWICH.. AND WATERMAN

THIS THUNDERSTORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING STRONG GUSTY SURFACE WINDS..
VERY HEAVY RAIN.. POSSIBLY SOME SMALL HAIL..  MOST OF ALL... DEADLY
LIGHTNING!  IF OUT-OF-DOORS MOVE TO AN INSIDE SHELTER OR AUTOMOBILE.
STAY OFF OF WATER AND AWAY FROM TREES... BOTH FREQUENT CONDUCTORS OF
LIGHTNING.  STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND ELECTRIC APPLIANCES WHICH TO
CAN CONDUCT ELECTRICITY.  THE HEAVY RAIN PRODUCED BY THESE THUNDERSTORMS
MAKE CAUSE SOME MINOR STREET.. DRAINAGE DITCH.. AND LOW AREA FLOODING.

PLEASE REPORT STORM DAMAGE AND SEVERE WEATHER TO LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICIALS AND ASK THEM TO RELAY THIS INFORMATION TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE.

ATTN: ISP DIST 1.. 2.. 16
PIERCE

The office that day

Everything else NWS Chicago, IL issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 6, 7:04 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLOTLake26 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Illinois, 1986Every tornado warning in 1986Tornadoes in 1986

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; verification from NCEI's Storm Data; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.