Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 1991

Tornado Warning 4, NWS Lincoln, IL

March 27, 1991Lee County, Ogle County, Illinois

NWS Lincoln, IL issued this tornado warning at Mar 27, 1991, 2:30 PM CST for Lee County, Ogle County, Illinois. It was in force for 30 min.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Mar 27, 1991, 2:30 PM CST (20:30 UTC)
Expired
Mar 27, 1991, 3:00 PM CST
In force
30 min
Issued by
NWS Lincoln, IL
Area
Whole counties

Counties Lee County, IL, Ogle County, IL

The nearest sounding before it

Green Bay/Straub, WI (KGRB), launched 12:00Z, 8.5 hours before the alert went out and 304 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 12:00Z on 1991-03-27Temperature 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 12:00Z on 1991-03-27The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 59 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
1516 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
42 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
59 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-11 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 KRFD 272030
TORRFD
ILC201-007-141-103-272100-

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED/EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED 
TORNADO WARNING 
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ROCKFORD IL
230 PM CST WED MAR 27 1991

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WARNING 
EFFECTIVE UNTIL 300 PM CST FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING 
COUNTIES

   IN THE NORTH CENTRAL PART OF ILLINOIS
      EXTREME SOUTHEAST WINNEBAGO...BOONE...EASTERN OGLE...
      NORTHERN LEE

TORNADO WARNINGS ARE BEING EXTENDED FOR THE ABOVE COUNTIES. RADAR
AND SPOTTERS INDICATED POSSIBLE TORNADOS FORMING OVER THESE
COUNTIES. A SHERIFF FROM OGLE COUNTY CONFIRMED A TORNADO
TOUCHDOWN IN MT. MORRIS...ABOUT 25 MILES SOUTHWEST OF ROCKFORD.

SOME COMMUNITIES THAT WILL BE AFFECTED BY THIS TORNADO...
BELVIDERE...BYRON...DIXON AND ROCHELLE.

PERSONS IN THE PATH OF THIS DANGEROUS STORM TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY
IN A BASEMENT OR SMALL CENTRAL INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR.
ABANDON CARS... FARM MACHINERY AND MOBILE HOMES FOR REINFORCED
BUILDING.  IF OUT-OF-DOORS GO TO A REINFORCED SHELTER OR DITCH...
CULVERT OR RAVINE.  THIS IS A SERIOUS SITUATION... YOUR LIFE MAY
DEPEND ON HOW QUICKLY YOU RESPOND TO THIS TORNADO WARNING!

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

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

Local storm report, Mar 27, 8:55 AM CST, 5 hours 35 minutes before
LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEORIA IL
835 AM CST WED MAR 27 1991

ADDITIONAL STORM REPORTS

4:50 AM CST... DAMAGING WIND 40 TO 50 MPH AT PLYMOUTH AND NAUVOO IN
               HANCOCK COUNTY.

5:00 AM CST... TORNADO. DAMAGING WIND. 4 MILES EAST OF BENTLEY IN
               HANCOCK COUNTY. RESIDENCE DESTROYED. DAMAGE TO OUT
               BUILDINGS. POWER LINES DOWN. TWISTED METAL.

5:15 AM CST... DAMAGING WIND 50 TO 55 MPH AT MACOMB IN MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
               DAMAGE TO LUMBER YARD. OTHER SCATTERED DAMAGE IN MACOMB.

5:35 AM CST... DAMAGING WIND NEAR LONDON MILLS IN FULTON COUNTY. TREE
               LIMB FELL ON POWER LINE.

6:00 AM CST... STRONG WIND AT PEORIA WEATHER OFFICE. 35 MPH ASSOCIATED
               WITH GUST FRONT.

6:20 AM CST... TORNADO. DAMAGING WIND. BRIEF TOUCHDOWN AT
               ALLENTOWN IN TAZEWELL COUNTY. DAMAGE TO A FARM. POWER
               LINES ACROSS ALLENTON BLACKTOP OR 6 MI%LES EAST OF
               ROUTE 121.

STUMETZ
Local storm report, Mar 27, 8:58 AM CST, 5 hours 32 minutes before
LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEORIA IL
835 AM CST WED MAR 27 1991

ADDITIONAL STORM REPORTS

4:50 AM CST... DAMAGING WIND 40 TO 50 MPH AT PLYMOUTH AND NAUVOO IN
               HANCOCK COUNTY.

5:00 AM CST... TORNADO. DAMAGING WIND. 4 MILES EAST OF BENTLEY IN HANCOCK
               COUNTY. RESIDENCE DESTROYED WITH DAMAGE TO OUT BUILDINGS.
               POWER LINES DOWN. TWISTED METAL. REPORTED TO NWS AT 6:10 AM.

5:15 AM CST... DAMAGING WIND 50 TO 55 MPH AT MACOMB IN MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
               DAMAGE TO LUMBER YARD. OTHER SCATTERED DAMAGE IN MACOMB.

5:35 AM CST... DAMAGING WIND NEAR LONDON MILLS IN FULTON COUNTY. TREE
               LIMB FELL ON POWER LINE.

6:00 AM CST... STRONG WIND AT PEORIA WEATHER OFFICE. 35 MPH ASSOCIATED
               WITH GUST FRONT.

6:20 AM CST... TORNADO. DAMAGING WIND. BRIEF TOUCHDOWN AT
               ALLENTOWN IN TAZEWELL COUNTY. DAMAGE TO A FARM. POWER
               LI)NES ACROSS ALLENTOWN BLACKTOP OR 6 MILES EAST OF
               ROUTE 121.

STUMETZ
/CORRECTION TO 5:00 AM REPORT AT BENTLEY/
Special weather statement, Mar 27, 9:54 AM CST, 4 hours 36 minutes before
ILZ005>007-009-271830-

WEATHER UPDATE FOR PEORIA AND WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEORIA IL
945 AM CST WED MAR 27 1991

...PERIODS OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TO REDEVELOPE TOODAY...SOME
MAY BE SEVERE MAINLY THIS AFTERNOON...

THE STRONG THUNDERSTORMS HAVE MOVED OUT OF WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS FOR THE
TIME BEING AND ONLY A FEW SHOWERS REMAIN IN THE GALESBURG AREA AS OF 945 AM.
WE MAY SEE A LITTLE SUN THIS MORNING BUT THUNDERSTORMS %ARE EXPECTED TO
REDEVELOPE BY AFTERNOON.  TEMPERATURES SHOULD RISE INTO THE UPPER 60S BY
MID DAY AND WINDS WILL REMAIN SOUTHERLY AT 10 TO 15 MPH THIS MORNING.

BREESER
Special weather statement, Mar 27, 11:03 AM CST, 3 hours 27 minutes before
ILZ009-010-271815-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPRINGFIELD IL
1100 AM CST WED MAR 27 1991

...SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TO REDEVELOPE ACROSS CENTRAL ILLINOIS
...SOME MAY BE SEVERE THIS AFTERNOON...

AT 1055 AM...SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS HAVE MOVED OUT OF CENTRAL AND
EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS AT THIS TIME.

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL REDEVELOPE THIS AFTERNOON...SOME MAY
BE SEVERE.

PERSONS ARE URGE TO LISTEN TO RADIO..TV..OR NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR
LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIABLE WATCHES OR WARNINGS.

PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES WILL CONTINUE ACROSS CENTRAL ILLINOIS
WITH TEMPERATURES CLIMBING INTO THE LOW TO MID 70S THIS AFTERNOON.
ATTN ISP DISTS...6...9...10...18 AND 12

HILLIARD
Special weather statement, Mar 27, 11:18 AM CST, 3 hours 12 minutes before
ILZ005>007-009-271930-

WEATHER UPDATE FOR PEORIA AND WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PEORIA IL
1115 AM CST WED MAR 27 1991

...PERIODS OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TO REDEVELOP TODAY...SOME
MAY BE SEVERE MAINLY THIS AFTERNOON...

NO PRECIPITATION WAS DETECTED BY RADAR ACROSS WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS AS OF
11AM THIS MORNING...HOWEVER THE POTENTIAL STILL EXISTS FOR SHOWER AND
THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE EARLY AFTERNOON HOURS. TEMPERATURES HAD
RISEN TO 70 BY LATE MORNING AND WINDS PICKED UP CONSIDERABLY TO 20 TO
25 MPH...GUSTING AS HIGH AS 38 MPH.

TEMPERATURES WILL CONTINUE TO RISE THIS AFTERNOON...REACHING THE MID 70
LATER THIS AFTERNOON. WINDS WILL CONTINUE STRONG AND GUSTY...ESPECIALLY
IN THUNDERSTORMS.

BREESER
Special weather statement, Mar 27, 2:15 PM CST, 15 minutes before
ILZ009-010-272100-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPRINGFIELD IL
215 PM CST WED MAR 27 1991

...TORNADO WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM CST...

SKIES ACROSS THE AREA CONTINUE TO BE PARTLY SUNNY WITH VERY STRONG WINDS
FROM THE SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST.

HERE AT CAPITOL AIRPORT GUSTS TO 63 MPH (55 KNOTS) WERE RECORDED AT
157 PM CST.  GUSTS OVER 50 KNOTS ARE POSSIBLE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS
AFTERNOON AND EVENING.  TREE LIMBS AND SCREEN DOORS AS WELL AS OTHER
LIGHT WEIGHT OBJECTS COULD BE DAMAGED FROM THESE VERY STRONG WINDS.

THUNDERSTORMS COULD DEVELOP RAPIDLY THIS AFTERNOON...SO BE ON THE ALERT
FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN TO RADIO...TV...OR
NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR FURTHER UPDATES AND POSSIBLE WATCHES OR WARNINGS.

MUNDY
ATTN ISP DIST 6...9...10...18 AND 12

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 26, 9:15 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXHancock60 min
Mar 26, 9:15 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXMcDonough105 min
Mar 26, 10:25 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXFulton65 min
Mar 26, 10:36 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXPeoria2 hr
Mar 26, 11:04 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXTazewell, Woodford56 min
Mar 26, 11:32 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXMarshall58 min
Mar 26, 11:55 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXKnox, Warren65 min
Mar 27, 12:32 AM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXBureau28 min
Mar 27, 12:09 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXHenderson, Warren66 min
Mar 27, 1:04 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXCarroll, Stephenson26 min
Mar 27, 1:31 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXLee, Ogle, Stephenson, Winnebago44 min
Mar 27, 1:46 PM CSTTornado WarningILXOgle, Winnebago44 min
Mar 27, 2:07 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXBoone53 min
Mar 27, 2:07 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXLee53 min
Mar 27, 2:25 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXPeoria35 min
Mar 27, 2:30 PM CSTTornado WarningILXBoone, Winnebago30 min
Mar 27, 2:44 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXMarshall, Putnam31 min
Mar 27, 3:00 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXPeoria30 min
Mar 27, 3:13 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXMarshall, Woodford22 min
Mar 27, 3:18 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXDeKalb27 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Illinois, 1991Every tornado warning in 1991Tornadoes in 1991

Sources

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