Alert archive / Illinois / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2024

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 151, NWS Quad Cities, IA

May 21, 2024Bureau County, Henry County, Whiteside County, Illinois

NWS Quad Cities, IA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 21, 2024, 7:45 PM CDT for Bureau County, Henry County, Whiteside County, Illinois. It was in force for 28 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
May 21, 2024, 7:45 PM CDT (00:45 UTC)
Expired
May 21, 2024, 8:13 PM CDT
In force
28 min
Issued by
NWS Quad Cities, IA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Bureau County, IL, Henry County, IL, Whiteside County, IL

The radar

The Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 61 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:48 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.

The watch it was issued in

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

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
May 21, 1:14 PM CDTTornado Watch PDSSPC8 hr
May 21, 7:13 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC5 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Davenport, (KDVN), launched 00:00Z, 0.8 hours before the alert went out and 55 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, Davenport, at 00:00Z on 2024-05-22Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1821 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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, Davenport, at 00:00Z on 2024-05-22The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 18 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
1821 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-33 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1656 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
30 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
18 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
56 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.1
Supercell composite
1.9

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

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

NWS Quad Cities, IA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 21, 6:10 PM CDT, 1 hour 35 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Moderate Risk (level 4 of 5) for severe weather continues for most of the DVN CWA through this evening, with the set up being a particularly dangerous situation. Very large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes will all be possible. Some significant wind gusts over 70 mph may occur this evening.
  • Flood watch continues for the rain-soaked northwest portion of the CWA for flash flood potential through this evening.
  • Drying out Wednesday and Thursday with more seasonable temperatures and humidity.
  • Shower and thunderstorm chances return Friday and possibly Saturday night into Sunday as a more humid air mass tries to build back into the region.
Area forecast discussion, May 21, 6:10 PM CDT, 1 hour 35 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
610 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024

...00Z AVIATION UPDATE...

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Moderate Risk (level 4 of 5) for severe weather continues for
  most of the DVN CWA through this evening, with the set up
  being a particularly dangerous situation. Very large hail,
  damaging winds, and tornadoes will all be possible. Some
  significant wind gusts over 70 mph may occur this evening.

- Flood watch continues for the rain-soaked northwest portion of the
  CWA for flash flood potential through this evening.

- Drying out Wednesday and Thursday with more seasonable
  temperatures and humidity.

- Shower and thunderstorm chances return Friday and possibly Saturday
  night into Sunday as a more humid air mass tries to build
  back into the region.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 255 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024

Tonight...Current observations show a deepening 994 MB low near
Omaha, with a quasi-stationary boundary undulating east-
northeast from it trying to retreat warm front style. This
feature currently laying out acrs the northern CWA ATTM. Along
and south of the front acrs most of the DVN CWA had several CAPE
layer parameters ranging from 2000-3000 J/kg, but also some
decent CIN between here and the convective line continuing to
organize along and east of the MO RVR Valley. Strong forcing,
bulk shear profiles of 50-70 KTs and re- intensifying 40-50 KT
LLJ fields will help strong convection to overcome these EML
layers as they surge in from the west to lee of east central
plains strong shortwave. The main triple point interaction looks
to occur to the north acrs the MN/WI/IA tri-state where machine
learning progs hi-lite a tornado/high wind bullseye, but a
secondary triple-point like convergent area may occur acrs the
central to northern DVN CWA by early evening. Many convective
support parameters support a broken line of supercells moving in
from the west into the western CWA after 4-5 PM. But also a
lead shear wing will try to generate a lead broken line of
storms ahead of the current line which could be developing right
in the DVN CWA by 4 pm. Thus it cloud play out that we have one
or two lines striking the CWA, trying to evolve into a QLCS
overhead or as they propagate off to the east of the local area.

The combo of shear/kinematics and thermodynamics is impressive, and
supports the potential of continued upscale growth producing
damaging wind gusts of 70-80+ MPH by any bowing segments or RFD's,
hail up to 2 inches, and up to moderate strength tornadoes. Some
doubt of full column jet support to allow for long track tornadoes,
but shorter lived cyclones with some punch will still be
problematic. There could be energy transfer from one line of storms
to the other as opposed to having two distinct lines raking the area
so close together, bu the models can't handle this idea very well.
The main line of storms in near term convective ensembles show it
progressing eastward acrs the MS RVR quickly at over 50 MPH between
6-8 PM depending on width and number of the line/s.

As the storm cells or lines move acrs the area, they will utilize
1.3 to 1.5 PWATs to produce intense rainfall rates well over an inch
an hour, but hopefully their propagation speed will limit flash
flooding potential. However, the areas that are currently under a
flood watch are soaked and will let the headline ride through 9 PM
after the storm lines have moved off to the east. But any new water
trouble may linger well into the night well after the storms have
passed.

Wednesday...Nice day in the wake of the system, although some wrap-
around cumulus may still spread acrs the northern CWA at times.
Highs in the low to mid 70s and sfc DPTS in the 40 for lowered
humidity levels.

&&

.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Issued at 255 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024

Thursday...South to southeasterly return flow behind eastward
migrating sfc ridge will make for some temp moderation back to
around 80 for much of the area this day. This while the ensembles
indicate another upstream short wave propagating eastward acrs the
central and northern plains. Just a low chance for some late night
elevated WAA-type showers and storms moving out of central IA and
into the western CWA before dawn.

Friday...Nice-looking wave, with several solutions suggesting it
trying to go negatively tilted at least slightly, will continue to
move eastward acrs the upper MS RVR Valley along with an associated
sfc front. Still some uncertainty at this point, but appears to
adequate shear and instability to fuel at least some stronger storms
in or near the local fcst area. Locally heavy rainfall as well. This
if we get the 50 percentile highs in the upper 70s to low 80s and at
least low 60 sfc DPTs.

Saturday and Sunday...Saturday currently appears to be a
cooler/drier post-frontal day with highs in the low to mid 70s, and
if we stay clear a seasonably cool night into Sunday morning
especially in the northwest. Ensemble current placement lays out a
west-to-east sfc front or LLVL boundary somewhere acrs the
central/southern plains and acrs MO which will act as a convergent
LLJ focal point for storm cluster or MCS generation Sat night into
early Sunday. How much of this may get into the southern CWA still
very uncertain at this point and only lower POPs currently
warranted in the south for now. East to northeasterly sfc flow and
possible high debris clouds from the southern activity to keep
Sunday in the 70s.

Monday and next Tuesday...Longer range indications suggest near
split western into central CONUS flow and an upstream embedded upper
low or closed wave will look to meander acrs the plains and toward
the mid to lower MS RVR valley early to mid next week. Still some
wave propagation pathway questions or if this system will produce
precip in our area, with solutions split on rolling this feature
overhead, or to moving along and south of the DVN CWA. Chances are
some of the area may get clipped Monday night into Tuesday.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 605 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024

Strong to severe storms are expected for all terminals over the
next 2-3 hours as a strong cold front moves through the region.
All severe hazards will be possible including large hail, strong
wind gusts (with potential for significant wind gusts over 65
kts in the strongest bowing segments) and tornadoes. These
storms will exit the area by 22.04z, with winds veering to the
northwest behind the fropa. Confidence is high in MVFR ceilings
mainly at KCID/KDBQ late tonight through Wednesday morning.

VFR conditions will return areawide by midday Wednesday, with
winds gusting out of the northwest around 20-25 kts.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 1142 AM CDT Tue May 21 2024

Very heavy rains on the order of 2-3+ inches fell across
portions of eastern Iowa mainly northwest of the Cedar Rapids
and Iowa City metros in the past 24 hours. Much of this rain
fell in the headwaters of the Wapsipinicon, Skunk, Cedar and
Iowa Rivers, which is leading to or will lead to rises over the
coming days. Flood watches and warnings are currently in effect
along portions of these rivers, with potential for minor to
moderate flooding over the next 7 days.

Additional QPF of around 0.50-1.00" is expected across these
rivers today as showers and storms move across the area. This
rain could lead to additional rises, though confidence on where
the heaviest rain will fall is low as storms will be fast
moving.

&&

.DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IA...Flood Watch until 9 PM CDT this evening for IAZ040-041-051-052-
     063-064.
IL...None.
MO...None.

&&

SHORT TERM...12
LONG TERM...12
AVIATION...Speck
HYDROLOGY...Speck
Hazardous weather outlook, May 21, 3:23 PM CDT, 4 hours 22 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
323 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024

IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007-
009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-221100-
Buchanan-Delaware-Dubuque-Benton-Linn-Jones-Jackson-Iowa-Johnson-
Cedar-Clinton-Muscatine-Scott-Keokuk-Washington-Louisa-Jefferson-
Henry IA-Des Moines-Van Buren-Lee-Jo Daviess-Stephenson-Carroll-
Whiteside-Rock Island-Henry IL-Bureau-Putnam-Mercer-Henderson-
Warren-Hancock-McDonough-Scotland-Clark-
323 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Illinois...northwest Illinois...west central Illinois...east
central Iowa...northeast Iowa...southeast Iowa and northeast
Missouri.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

There is a Moderate Risk, or a level 4 out of 5 for severe
weather through this evening for most of the Outlook Area. All
severe hazards will be possible including damaging winds of 60 to
80 mph, tornadoes, and large hail. In addition, repeated rounds of
thunderstorms may bring an isolated flash flood risk and ponding
of water.

Some tributary rivers across eastern Iowa are experiencing
flooding. Please see the latest Flood Statements and Flood
Warnings for details.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

There will be a chance for more thunderstorms on Friday. It is
still uncertain if any storms will be strong or severe, as well as
the ability to produce heavy rainfall.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will be needed through this evening.

GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:

To the east-northeast at 55 mph.

12

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 21, 7:10 PM CDT, 35 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
710 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024

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

0653 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Nichols                 41.48N 91.30W
05/21/2024                   Muscatine          IA   Amateur Radio

            Trees down and also power outage west of
            Nichols.

&&

Haase
Local storm report, May 21, 7:14 PM CDT, 31 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
714 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024

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

0705 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Lowden                  41.86N 90.92W
05/21/2024  E80 MPH          Cedar              IA   CO-OP Observer

            estimated 80 mph gusts at 705 pm. still
            blowing at about 50 mph as of 711pm.

&&
Local storm report, May 21, 7:27 PM CDT, 18 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
727 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024

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

0721 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     Alburnett               42.15N 91.61W
05/21/2024  M61 MPH          Linn               IA   Emergency Mngr

&&

Haase
Local storm report, May 21, 7:31 PM CDT, 14 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
731 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024

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

0725 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Maquoketa               42.06N 90.66W
05/21/2024                   Jackson            IA   Trained Spotter

            80 mph winds. Large trees down.

&&

Haase
Local storm report, May 21, 7:34 PM CDT, 11 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
734 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024

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

0725 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Coggon                  42.28N 91.53W
05/21/2024                   Linn               IA   Trained Spotter

            12 inch snapped. Spotter watched it happen.

&&

MJL
Local storm report, May 21, 7:42 PM CDT, 3 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

The office that day

Everything else NWS Quad Cities, IA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 21, 7:11 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNCedar, Delaware, Dubuque, Jackson, Johnson, Jones and 1 more49 min
May 21, 7:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNCedar, Clinton, Muscatine, Scott47 min
May 21, 7:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNHenry, Lee, Van Buren24 min
May 21, 7:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatDVNClinton, Dubuque, Jackson48 min
May 21, 7:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatDVNMuscatine18 min
May 21, 7:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatDVNDelaware, Dubuque, Jones, Linn45 min
May 21, 7:38 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedConsiderable damage threatDVNCedar, Muscatine, Scott22 min
May 21, 7:51 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatDVNDubuque16 min
May 21, 7:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatDVNCedar, Clinton, Jackson, Jones, Scott50 min
May 21, 8:31 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNClinton, Dubuque, Jackson44 min
May 21, 8:36 PM CDTRiver Flood WatchDVNLouisa, Muscatine37 hr
May 22, 10:57 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningDVNJohnson, Washington10 hr
May 22, 12:25 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningDVNCedar, Jones, Linn10 days
May 21, 7:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatDVNCarroll, Henry, Whiteside45 min
May 21, 8:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNStephenson34 min
May 21, 9:27 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDVNCarroll, Stephenson48 min
May 21, 9:36 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDVNHenry39 min
May 21, 9:50 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDVNCarroll, Stephenson55 min
May 21, 9:55 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDVNWhiteside35 min
May 21, 9:58 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningDVNStephenson47 min
May 21, 10:40 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementDVNBureau20 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Illinois, 2024Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2024

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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.