Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2024

Tornado Warning 17, NWS Lincoln, IL

April 18, 2024Lawrence County, Illinois

NWS Lincoln, IL issued this tornado warning at Apr 18, 2024, 9:00 PM CDT for Lawrence County, Illinois. It was in force for 15 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued: Apr 18, 2024, 9:00 PM CDT (02:00 UTC)
Expired: Apr 18, 2024, 9:15 PM CDT
In force: 15 min
Issued by: NWS Lincoln, IL
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 0.75 in

County Lawrence County, IL

The radar

The Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 55 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:00 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

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 18, 6:36 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 00:00Z, 2.0 hours before the alert went out and 182 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: 1011 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 69 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 468 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 850 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

134 
WFUS53 KILX 190200
TORILX
ILC101-190215-
/O.NEW.KILX.TO.W.0017.240419T0200Z-240419T0215Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
900 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2024

The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  East central Lawrence County in southeastern Illinois...

* Until 915 PM CDT.

* At 859 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Vincennes, moving east at 45 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado.

  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 tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
  east central Lawrence County.

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 3872 8752 3869 8752 3868 8754 3867 8760
      3874 8763 3881 8752 3879 8750 3877 8751
      3876 8750 3874 8750
TIME...MOT...LOC 0159Z 260DEG 39KT 3872 8756 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Deubelbeiss

1 follow-up statement

323 
WWUS53 KILX 190205
SVSILX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
905 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2024

ILC101-190215-
/O.EXP.KILX.TO.W.0017.000000T0000Z-240419T0215Z/
Lawrence-
905 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2024

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL LAWRENCE COUNTY WILL EXPIRE
AT 915 PM CDT...

The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been 
cancelled. However, damaging winds remain likely and a Severe 
Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 200 AM CDT for
southeastern Illinois.

&&

LAT...LON 3872 8752 3869 8752 3868 8754 3867 8760
      3874 8763 3881 8752 3879 8750 3877 8751
      3876 8750 3874 8750
TIME...MOT...LOC 0205Z 260DEG 39KT 3873 8750 

$$

Deubelbeiss

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 18, 6:53 PM CDT, 2 hours 7 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Severe threat remains for areas southeast of the IL river through mid evening. The greatest risk (enhanced, level 3/5) is located from Taylorville to Terre Haute south.
Storm mode is expected to be QLCS in nature. However, supercells could develop early on late this afternoon. Damaging winds are the primary threat followed by large hail and isolated tornadoes.
There is a 30-50% chance of temperatures dropping to near or below freezing by dawn Sunday morning for areas from Lincoln north. The growing season has begun across central and southeast IL so tender vegetation may needed to be taken indoors over covered Saturday night.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 18, 6:53 PM CDT, 2 hours 7 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion...Updated Aviation
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
653 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2024

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Severe threat remains for areas southeast of the IL river
  through mid evening. The greatest risk (enhanced, level 3/5) is
  located from Taylorville to Terre Haute south.

- Storm mode is expected to be QLCS in nature. However, supercells
  could develop early on late this afternoon. Damaging winds are
  the primary threat followed by large hail and isolated
  tornadoes.

- There is a 30-50% chance of temperatures dropping to near or
  below freezing by dawn Sunday morning for areas from Lincoln
  north. The growing season has begun across central and southeast
  IL so tender vegetation may needed to be taken indoors over
  covered Saturday night.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 330 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2024

A severe thunderstorm watch is in ef.fect until 8 pm for SW CWA
including Scott, Morgan, Sangamon, Christian, Shelby, Effingham
and Clay counties. A few severe thunderstorms warning have
recently been issued over parts of central and east central MO sw
of Pike county IL. Showers and scattered thunderstorms were
increasing west of the IL river and tracking ENE toward central
IL. Mid afternoon surface map shows 1008 mb low pressure over
central MO with one frontal extending ne near the IL river and a
warm front lifting ne of Jacksonville, Decatur and Terre Haute.
Dewpoints had risen into the upper 50s/lower 60s in warm sector
and winds turning more south to SSE. CAPES were rising to 1-2k
j/kg over southern/sw IL in warm sector and effective bulk shear
values were 45-50 kts. PW values also coming up to 1-1.2 inches
over sw half of IL and into MO and se Iowa so heavy rain threat
exists as well with severe storm threat late this afternoon and
evening. WPC has marginal risk of excessive rain into this evening
south of I-74.

Convection to continue to strengthen as it tracks ENE over central
and eastern IL through this evening. Marginal to slight risk of
severe storms generally from IL river se with enhanced risk from
Taylorville to Terre Haute south. Damaging winds and large hail
are the main severe wx threats with a few tornadoes also possible
with 5% risk of tornadoes in southern 6 counties of Effingham,
Jasper, Crawford, Clay, Richland and Lawrence. SPC has 30% risk of
very large hail 2 inch or more in diameter over sw IL, sw of
Litchfield while 15% risk of large hail is over our sw counties
pretty close to current watch box. Some convection could linger
early overnight over southeast IL/Wabash river valley, then dry
and cooler conditions expected. Lows overnight range from upper
30s to near 40F nw of the IL river, to the upper 40s to near 50F
in southeast IL.

1035 mb Canadian high pressure over Alberta to nose into central
and southern IL Friday afternoon and Fri night bringing dry wx.
Though mid/high clouds to quickly stream eastward from the central
plains over central/se IL during Friday and Fri evening. Below
normal temps return on Friday with highs in the upper 50s in
central IL and near 60F in southeast IL. Breezy nw winds 10-20
mph and gusting in the 20s to add a chill to the spring air. Lows
Fri night in the upper 30s northern CWA and lower 40s from I-72
south. Patchy frost possible by dawn Saturday far northern CWA
from Galesburg to Henry north.

Saturday and Sat night to be the coolest period as nw winds
continue to usher in cooler air with skies becoming mostly clear.
Highs Saturday only in the lower 50s northern CWA, mid 50s
central part of CWA and upper 50s south of I-70. Breezy nw winds
continue on Saturday at 10-20 mph and some higher gusts. Lows Sat
night in the mid 30s central IL and upper 30s se IL. Will be
approaching freezing from Lincoln north. With growing season
starting across CWA, we may eventually need a frost advisory
overnight Sat night into mid Sunday morning and possible even a
freezing warning northern CWA. Ample sunshine Sunday with cool
highs in the upper 50s and nw winds continue. Could be some frost
again overnight Sunday night into early Mon morning with lows in
the mid to upper 30s. Finally start to warm up on Monday with
highs in the low to mid 60s with sw winds and skies becoming
partly sunny Monday afternoon.

A northern stream disturbance moves over the Midwest Mon night and
Tue bringing next chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms.
Not as cold Mon night with lows in the upper 40s and lower 50s,
coolest in eastern/se IL. Seasonable highs Tue in the mid to upper
60s. Passage of another cold front late Tue brings cooler wx Tue
night and Wed with highs in the lower 60s Wed.

07

&&

.AVIATION...  (For the 00z TAFs through 00z Friday Evening)
Issued at 655 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2024

Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms moving eastward
over central Illinois through mid evening, will bring IFR to MVFR
conditions especially with heavier rain showers. Convection to
diminish/becoming isolated from west to east during mid/late
evening. A cold front just east of I-55 early this evening will
push through DEC and CMI in next hour or two as SE winds switch NE
the then northerly with gusts 18-25 kts. Low clouds to scatter
out from nw to se during overnight, with broken mid level clouds
quickly spreading eastward by late Fri morning. NW winds 12-17 kts
with gusts 20-27 kts to prevail on Friday, though weakening some
later in the day.

07

&&

.ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.
&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 18, 3:16 PM CDT, 5 hours 44 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
316 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2024

ILZ027>031-036-037-040-041-192030-
Knox-Stark-Peoria-Marshall-Woodford-Fulton-Tazewell-Schuyler-Mason-
316 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2024

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Scattered thunderstorms through 7 pm could produce some gusty winds
and small hail. There is a level 1 of 5 (marginal) chance for severe
weather with these storms.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated tonight.

ILZ038-042>051-053-192030-
McLean-Logan-De Witt-Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Cass-Menard-Scott-
Morgan-Sangamon-Macon-
316 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2024

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Numerous thunderstorms will roll across the area between 4 and 10 pm
this evening, with a level 2 of 5 (slight) chance these storms
become severe. Scattered wind gusts over 60 mph and hail greater
than 1 inch in diameter are the primary concerns, though a tornado
cannot be ruled out.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Minor flooding will continue along the Wabash River for several more
days. Otherwise, no hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed between 4 and 10 pm.

Expected storm motion is toward the east-northeast around 45 mph.

ILZ052-054>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-192030-
Christian-Moultrie-Douglas-Coles-Edgar-Shelby-Cumberland-Clark-
Effingham-Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence-
316 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2024

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Numerous thunderstorms will roll across the area between 4 and 10 pm
this evening, with a level 3 of 5 (enhanced) chance these storms
become severe. Scattered wind gusts over 60 mph and hail greater
than 1 inch in diameter are the primary concerns, though a tornado
cannot be ruled out.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Minor flooding will continue along the Wabash River for several more
days. Otherwise, no hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will likely be needed between 5 pm and 11 pm.

Expected storm motion is toward the east-northeast around 45 mph.

Bumgardner

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 18, 7:29 PM CDT, 1 hour 31 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
729 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2024

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

0720 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Latham                  39.97N 89.16W
04/18/2024                   Logan              IL   Emergency Mngr

            A tree was blown down.

&&

Barnes

Local storm report, Apr 18, 8:13 PM CDT, 47 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
813 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2024

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

0720 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Latham                  39.97N 89.16W
04/18/2024                   Logan              IL   Fire Dept/Rescue

            The roof of a home was severely damaged.

&&

Barnes

Local storm report, Apr 18, 8:14 PM CDT, 46 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
814 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2024

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

0738 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Clinton                 40.15N 88.96W
04/18/2024                   De Witt            IL   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Numerous power lines were blown down.

&&

Barnes

Local storm report, Apr 18, 8:16 PM CDT, 44 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
816 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2024

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

0720 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Latham                  39.97N 89.16W
04/18/2024                   Logan              IL   Broadcast Media

            A semi was overturned on Route 121 near
            Latham. Possible injuries.

&&

Barnes

Local storm report, Apr 18, 8:35 PM CDT, 25 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
835 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2024

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

0718 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 ESE Mount Pulaski     39.99N 89.25W
04/18/2024                   Logan              IL   Emergency Mngr

            Three power poles are leaning near the
            intersection of Route 121 and 1842nd Avenue.

&&

Barnes

Local storm report, Apr 18, 8:52 PM CDT, 8 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
852 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2024

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

0835 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 S Sumner              38.67N 87.86W
04/18/2024                   Lawrence           IL   Emergency Mngr

            Several large trees down.

&&

RK

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Apr 18, 7:05 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ILX	Christian, DeWitt, Logan, Macon, Sangamon	40 min
Apr 18, 7:20 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ILX	Clay, Effingham, Shelby	55 min
Apr 18, 7:26 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	ILX	Logan, Macon	34 min
Apr 18, 7:31 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	ILX	DeWitt, Macon, Piatt	44 min
Apr 18, 7:39 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	ILX	Effingham, Jasper	36 min
Apr 18, 7:55 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ILX	Clark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Jasper	65 min
Apr 18, 8:02 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ILX	Lawrence, Richland	58 min
Apr 18, 8:53 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ILX	Lawrence	21 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Illinois, 2024 Every tornado warning in 2024 Tornadoes 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.