Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2023

Tornado Warning 31, NWS Lincoln, IL

April 4, 2023Fulton County, Schuyler County, Illinois

NWS Lincoln, IL issued this tornado warning at Apr 4, 2023, 6:54 PM CDT for Fulton County, Schuyler County, Illinois. It was in force for 36 min. 23 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued: Apr 4, 2023, 6:54 PM CDT (23:54 UTC)
Expired: Apr 4, 2023, 7:30 PM CDT
In force: 36 min
Issued by: NWS Lincoln, IL
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Observed
Hail: 1.5 in

Counties Fulton County, IL, Schuyler County, IL

The radar

The Lincoln radar (KILX), 95 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:55 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Apr 4, 7:02 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	1 Sse Table Grove, IL	3 POWER POLES DOWN ALONG COUNTY HIGHWAY 13 SOUTH OF US-136.
Apr 4, 7:03 PM CDT	HAIL 2.75	Table Grove, IL
Apr 4, 7:03 PM CDT	TORNADO	Table Grove, IL	CORRECTS PREVIOUS TORNADO REPORT FROM TABLE GROVE. PATH LENGTH 1.9 MILES, MAX WIND SPEED 110 MPH, MAX WIDTH 200 YARDS. TOUCHED DOWN ON THE WEST EDGE OF TABLE GROVE AND CROSSED TOWN JUST SOUTH OF SOUTH ST.
Apr 4, 7:04 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Vermont, IL	POWERLINES DOWN.
Apr 4, 7:04 PM CDT	HAIL 3.25	1 Ese Table Grove, IL	REPORT FROM MPING: BASEBALL+ (3.25 IN.).
Apr 4, 7:05 PM CDT	HAIL 2.75	Vermont, IL	MULTIPLE CHASERS HAVE BUSTED WINDSHIELDS DUE TO BASEBALL SIZE HAIL NEAR VERMONT.
Apr 4, 7:07 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Table Grove, IL	TREES AND POWERLINES DOWN; POSSIBLE TORNADO.
Apr 4, 7:07 PM CDT	TORNADO	Table Grove, IL
Apr 4, 7:09 PM CDT	HAIL 4	Bernadotte, IL	DIAMETER 4 INCHES, CIRCUMFERENCE 12 INCHES.
Apr 4, 7:09 PM CDT	TORNADO	3 W Ipava, IL	STORM CHASERS REPORTED A BRIEF TORNADO TOUCHDOWN BETWEEN TABLE GROVE AND IPAVA.
Apr 4, 7:11 PM CDT	TORNADO	2 S Ipava, IL	* 4 INJ * PATH LENGTH 20.9 MILES, MAX WIND SPEED 160 MPH, PEAK WIDTH 600 YARDS. DEVELOPED SOUTH OF IPAVA AND MOVED NORTHEAST ACROSS THE NORTH SIDE OF LEWISTOWN AND BRYANT, THEN DISSIPATED SOUTHWEST OF CANTON. SEVERE DAMAGE WAS NOTED TO HOUSES ON THE WEST S
Apr 4, 7:14 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 E Ipava, IL	POWER POLES DOWN ALONG US-136 JUST SOUTHEAST OF LADDS RD.
Apr 4, 7:14 PM CDT	TORNADO	1 Ne Ipava, IL
Apr 4, 7:18 PM CDT	TORNADO	1 Nw Duncan Mills, IL
Apr 4, 7:18 PM CDT	TORNADO	3 Nw Duncan Mills, IL	CORRECTS PREVIOUS TORNADO REPORT FROM 1 NW DUNCAN MILLS.
Apr 4, 7:20 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Lewistown, IL	TREE UPROOTED ALONG W. MILTON AVE.
Apr 4, 7:24 PM CDT	TORNADO	1 N Lewistown, IL
Apr 4, 7:25 PM CDT	TORNADO	1 N Lewistown, IL	MULTIPLE BUILDINGS DAMAGED, WITH DEBRIS IN THE ROAD NORTH OF LEWISTOWN.
Apr 4, 7:25 PM CDT	TORNADO	1 N Lewistown, IL
Apr 4, 7:25 PM CDT	TORNADO	Lewistown, IL	STRUCTURAL DAMAGE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF TOWN.
Apr 4, 7:25 PM CDT	TORNADO	Lewistown, IL	PHOTO FROM SOCIAL MEDIA SHOWS MANGLED FARM EQUIPMENT IN THE ROAD.
Apr 4, 7:27 PM CDT	TORNADO	1 N Lewistown, IL	SPOTTER REPORTED LARGE CONE JUST NORTH OF LEWISTOWN, WITH A SECOND TORNADO FURTHER EAST.
Apr 4, 7:29 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	3 N Lewistown, IL	GRAIN BIN CRUMPLED.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 13 storm reports to this tornado warning; the first came 9 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Apr 4, 2:48 PM CDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Davenport, (KDVN), launched 12:00Z, 11.9 hours before the alert went out and 141 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 541 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 49 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 301 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 518 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 1.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

434 
WFUS53 KILX 042354
TORILX
ILC057-169-050030-
/O.NEW.KILX.TO.W.0031.230404T2354Z-230405T0030Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
654 PM CDT Tue Apr 4 2023

The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southwestern Fulton County in west central Illinois...
  North central Schuyler County in west central Illinois...

* Until 730 PM CDT.

* At 653 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Industry, or 10
  miles southeast of Macomb, moving east at 50 mph.

  HAZARD...Damaging tornado and ping pong ball size hail.

  SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado. At 6:52 PM, a tornado 
           was reported five miles east-northeast of Fandon.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely.

* The tornado will be near...
  Vermont around 705 PM CDT.
  Ipava around 710 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include
Lewistown and Cuba.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4027 9045 4050 9045 4059 9019 4031 9010
      4023 9068 4028 9069
TIME...MOT...LOC 2353Z 256DEG 45KT 4034 9060 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN

$$

Erwin

3 follow-up statements

736 
WWUS53 KILX 050004
SVSILX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
704 PM CDT Tue Apr 4 2023

ILC057-169-050030-
/O.CON.KILX.TO.W.0031.000000T0000Z-230405T0030Z/
Fulton-Schuyler-
704 PM CDT Tue Apr 4 2023

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN FULTON AND NORTHEASTERN SCHUYLER COUNTIES...
    
At 703 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Adair, or 14
miles southeast of Macomb, moving east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and golf ball size hail.

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado. At 7:02 PM, a tornado 
         was reported three miles west of Table Grove.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

This tornado will be near...
  Ipava around 710 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include
Lewistown and Cuba.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4025 9052 4027 9053 4027 9045 4050 9045
      4059 9019 4031 9010
TIME...MOT...LOC 0003Z 257DEG 41KT 4037 9045 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN

$$

Erwin

143 
WWUS53 KILX 050008
SVSILX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
708 PM CDT Tue Apr 4 2023

ILC057-169-050030-
/O.CON.KILX.TO.W.0031.000000T0000Z-230405T0030Z/
Fulton-Schuyler-
708 PM CDT Tue Apr 4 2023

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN FULTON AND NORTHEASTERN SCHUYLER COUNTIES...
    
At 707 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Ipava, or 11
miles west of Lewistown, moving east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and baseball size hail.

SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado. At 7:06 PM, a damaging 
         tornado was reported in Table Grove. Spotters also reported 
         baseball sized hail in Table Grove.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

This tornado will be near...
  Ipava around 710 PM CDT.
  Lewistown and Cuba around 720 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4025 9052 4027 9053 4027 9045 4050 9045
      4059 9019 4031 9010
TIME...MOT...LOC 0007Z 256DEG 45KT 4038 9038 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.75 IN

$$

Erwin

643 
WWUS53 KILX 050016
SVSILX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
716 PM CDT Tue Apr 4 2023

ILC057-169-050030-
/O.CON.KILX.TO.W.0031.000000T0000Z-230405T0030Z/
Fulton-Schuyler-
716 PM CDT Tue Apr 4 2023

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN FULTON AND NORTHEASTERN SCHUYLER COUNTIES...
    
At 714 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Ipava, or 8 miles west of Lewistown, moving east at 
50 mph. This storm has a history of producing tornadoes and baseball 
sized-hail.

HAZARD...Tornado and baseball size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

This dangerous storm will be near...
  Lewistown and Cuba around 725 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4025 9052 4027 9053 4027 9045 4050 9045
      4059 9019 4031 9010
TIME...MOT...LOC 0014Z 256DEG 43KT 4036 9031 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.75 IN

$$

Erwin

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.

NWS Lincoln, IL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Apr 4, 3:00 PM CDT, 3 hours 54 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 4, 3:00 PM CDT, 3 hours 54 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
300 PM CDT Tue Apr 4 2023

.SYNOPSIS...
Issued at 256 PM CDT Tue Apr 4 2023

A warm front has lifted north across central Illinois ushering in
a warm and unstable air mass. There will be a few rounds of
possible showers and storms across central Illinois this evening
through early Wednesday afternoon. Gusty southerly winds will keep
temperatures propped up tonight with lows generally in the 60s
across central Illinois. After a warm start to the day Wednesday,
temperatures will begin to fall back into the 50s behind a cold
front then will fall into the 30s Wednesday night.

&&

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Wednesday)
ISSUED AT 256 PM CDT Tue Apr 4 2023

There will be multiple strong to severe thunderstorm chances this
afternoon through around midday Wednesday.

As of the 2pm observations this afternoon, a warm front is draped
from roughly Galesburg east-southeast across Bloomington to near
Danville and is expected to gradually lift north towards the IL/WI
state line by mid to late this evening. Temperatures in the 80s and
dew points in the mid 60s behind the front will contribute to
moderately strong instability within the warm sector through this
evening. Latest SPC Meso-analysis page indicates pockets of over
3000 J/kg MLCAPE centered near DBQ, but this is capped by a warm
nose of nearly 16C temps at 900mb per 12Z KILX raob. This capping
inversion is the primary limiting factor in the eastward extent
of any storm coverage this evening and there remains uncertainty
in how far east the cap will break. Convective allowing models
generally favor the cap holding within the ILX forecast area this
evening, though there have been some runs (ex: 14Z HRRR, 12Z
HiResFV3) that continue to bring the potential for storms as far
east as the Illinois River Valley late this afternoon into the
evening. Wherever storms end up, strong instability coupled with
55-65kt+ deep layer shear will support supercells. 0-1km SRH
increases from roughly 200 to 400 m2/s2 as you approach the warm
front which will support tornadoes, but storm motions oriented
perpendicular to the warm front/instability gradient will limit
residence time across the warm front.

While the activity this afternoon and evening will pose the greatest
severe threat, a couple additional lines of storms are possible
overnight into Wednesday morning that could also pose a severe
threat. Strong southerly winds overnight will keep the boundary
layer somewhat unstable overnight. CAMs suggest storms will become
linear ahead of a cold front across portions of MO/IA overnight and
spread east into Illinois late tonight. Another line of storms may
form over south central MO late this evening and track ENE along
portions of the I-70 corridor. While either of these two lines of
storms may lose some of their strength given the unfavorable diurnal
timing as they cross the Mississippi River late tonight, overall
instability/shear parameters suggest severe storms will still be
possible and will bear close watching. There may be a brief
uptick in storm intensity along the cold front Wednesday morning
as we start to see daytime heating. By around 21Z / 4 PM CDT
Wednesday, the cold front should be through the area ending the
precip chances.

&&

.LONG TERM...(Wednesday night through Tuesday)
ISSUED AT 256 PM CDT Tue Apr 4 2023

Cold front will settle south across the Ohio River Valley by
Thursday morning and expansive ridging will be in place across the
central Great Plains and mid Mississippi Valley. The center of
high pressure will shift the upper Great Lakes Friday then
gradually shift to the lower lakes over the weekend. In general,
this will result in cooler but otherwise fair weather across
Central Illinois through the weekend. Expect lows in the 30s for
much of the area Thursday morning and again Friday morning with
highs in the 50s Thursday afternoon. A gradual warming trend will
occur Friday through the weekend as winds turn southerly behind
the ridge axis. A weak buckle in the upper flow will bring a small
chance for precip Sunday night into Monday, but strong upper
ridging will translate across the Great Plains early into the
middle of next week favoring warm and dry weather late in the
period.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Wednesday afternoon)
Issued at 1229 PM CDT Tue Apr 4 2023

A warm front will lift north across central Illinois today. Breezy
southeast winds and IFR conditions will be replaced by strong
south winds gusting near or in excess of 30 kt and VFR conditions.
Several clusters of storms are expected across the region this
afternoon through midday Wednesday. Isolated to widely scattered
severe storms are possible near and west of PIA this afternoon
into this evening but are favored to stay west of the Illinois
River Valley. Another line of storms will lift from the St Louis
area overnight and will be near/south of SPI/DEC/CMI between 09Z
and 12Z. Yet another round of strong to severe storms is possible
Wednesday morning and early afternoon ahead of an approaching cold
front. Winds will turn NW behind the front and precip chances
will end.

&&

.ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Wind Advisory from 7 AM to 4 PM CDT Wednesday for ILZ046-055>057-
062-063-066>068-071>073.

&&

SYNOPSIS...Deubelbeiss
SHORT TERM...Deubelbeiss
LONG TERM...Deubelbeiss
AVIATION...Deubelbeiss

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 4, 3:13 PM CDT, 3 hours 41 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
313 PM CDT Tue Apr 4 2023

ILZ027>030-036-040-052015-
Knox-Stark-Peoria-Marshall-Fulton-Schuyler-
313 PM CDT Tue Apr 4 2023

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois and west
central Illinois.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

A few rounds of thunderstorms are expected to develop west of the IL
River Valley between 6-9 PM this evening and again late tonight into
Wednesday morning. All severe threats are possible. Some of the
severe weather could be significant, with hail over 2 inches and
strong, long lived tornadoes possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Strong to severe storms may linger through Wednesday morning, but
will largely push east of the IL River Valley by daybreak.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed between 6-9 PM this evening.

ILZ031-037-038-041>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-052015-
Woodford-Tazewell-McLean-Mason-Logan-De Witt-Piatt-Champaign-
Vermilion-Cass-Menard-Scott-Morgan-Sangamon-Christian-Macon-Moultrie-
Douglas-Coles-Edgar-Shelby-Cumberland-Clark-Effingham-Jasper-
Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence-
313 PM CDT Tue Apr 4 2023

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east
central Illinois, southeast Illinois and west central Illinois.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

A few rounds of thunderstorms are expected to develop across central
and southeast IL late tonight into Wednesday morning. All severe
threats are possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

The severe storm threat will continue into early Wednesday afternoon as
the cold front moves through the area. All severe hazards are
possible. A heightened threat for significant severe weather exists
over eastern IL where hail over 2 inches and strong, long lived
tornadoes are possible.

A Wind Advisory is in effect for counties east of I-57 from 7 am to
4 pm Wednesday. Southwest winds with gusts around 45 mph are
expected.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated through tonight, but may be
needed Wednesday morning.

NMA

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 4, 3:02 PM CDT, 3 hours 52 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
302 PM CDT TUE APR 4 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0841 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 WNW METCALF           39.81N 87.84W
03/31/2023                   EDGAR              IL   BROADCAST MEDIA

            DELAYED REPORT. TREES BROKEN AT THE BASE,
            AND A COUPLE BUILDINGS HAD ROOF DAMAGE
            STREWN ACROSS A COUPLE FARM FIELDS. LOCATED
            ALONG COUNTY ROAD 2300N NEAR THE
            INTERSECTION WITH 900E.

&&

GEELHART

Local storm report, Apr 4, 6:10 PM CDT, 44 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
610 PM CDT TUE APR 4 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0600 PM     HAIL             4 ESE RUSHVILLE         40.10N 90.49W
04/04/2023  M1.00 INCH       SCHUYLER           IL   COCORAHS

&&

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Apr 4, 1:27 PM CDT	Wind Advisory	ILX	Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Clay, Coles and 22 more	27 hr
Apr 4, 5:34 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ILX	Cass, Morgan, Schuyler	26 min
Apr 4, 5:56 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ILX	Cass, Fulton, Mason, Schuyler	25 min
Apr 4, 6:27 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ILX	Schuyler	33 min
Apr 4, 6:46 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ILX	Fulton, Schuyler	16 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Illinois, 2023 Every tornado warning in 2023 Tornadoes in 2023

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.