Tornado Warning 87, NWS Lincoln, IL

646 
WWUS53 KILX 282357 RRA
SVSILX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
557 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

ILC101-290015-
/O.CON.KILX.TO.W.0087.000000T0000Z-251229T0015Z/
Lawrence-
557 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM CST FOR
NORTHEASTERN LAWRENCE COUNTY...

At 557 PM CST, severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes
were located along a line extending from 6 miles north of Bridgeport
to near Lawrenceville, moving northeast at 50 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.

These dangerous storms will be near...
  Lawrenceville Vincennes Airport around 605 PM CST.

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 3874 8775 3878 8778 3880 8751 3878 8749
      3877 8751 3877 8750 3876 8750
TIME...MOT...LOC 2357Z 242DEG 42KT 3880 8772 3875 8773 

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

$$

Erwin

389 
WWUS53 KILX 290014 RRA
SVSILX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
614 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

ILC101-290024-
/O.EXP.KILX.TO.W.0087.000000T0000Z-251229T0015Z/
Lawrence-
614 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN LAWRENCE COUNTY WILL EXPIRE
AT 615 PM CST...

The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CST for southeastern
Illinois.

Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for
portions of Lawrence County.

&&

LAT...LON 3874 8775 3878 8778 3880 8751 3878 8749
      3877 8751 3877 8750 3876 8750
TIME...MOT...LOC 0014Z 270DEG 43KT 3890 8750 3885 8751 

$$

Erwin

Area Forecast Discussion...Updated Aviation
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
507 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A Tornado Watch continues east of a roughly Champaign to
  Shelbyville line. Main risks will be scattered damaging winds
  over 60 mph and a couple tornadoes. Timing will be through 7pm
  when storms should reach the IL/IN state line.

- Expect an abrupt return to winter behind a cold front this
  evening, with wind chills dropping below 0 by early Monday
  morning. This rapid plunge in temperatures may result in a
  flash freeze (icy conditions) on untreated sidewalks and
  roadways.

- Strong winds will blow from the west-northwest tonight. Expect
  frequent gusts to 45+ mph, with a 20-30% chance for a sporadic
  gust or two to 55 mph (highest chances north of I-70). This
  will result in difficult driving conditions for high profile
  vehicles, and may cause a few localized power outages due to
  downed tree branches.

&&

.MESOSCALE...
Issued at 415 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

Key Messages...Scattered damaging winds, few tornadoes continue

Technical Discussion...50-65 kt effective bulk shear throughout a
seasonably moist and unstable airmass (700-1000 J/kg SBCAPE)
continues to support a risk for severe thunderstorms east of a
sharp cold front currently approaching the I-57 corridor. LCLs
around 500 m ahead of the front coupled with 200-300 m^2/s^2 0-1km
SRH is resulting in a narrow corridor of sig tor parameter values
over 1, suggesting the potential for strong tornadoes is there. In
addition, the 50-100+ J/kg 0-3km CAPE and 40-50+ kt of 0-3km shear
have already proven sufficient for QLCS tornadoes in bowing
segments along the line where the line-normal component of this
low level shear is maximized, with a tornado debris signature
(TDS) observed about an hour ago near Mt. Zion. We suspect the
risk for pockets of damaging winds over 60 mph and one/two
tornadoes will continue until the line exits eastern IL between 6
and 7pm CST.

Non-thunderstorm winds behind the front have gusted over 40 mph
across most of the area already, with the highest report so far
being 55 mph at the Springfield Airport. The strong winds will
continue, and possibly strengthen, later this evening into the
overnight as numerous gusts over 50 mph and a couple over 55 mph
have been observed upstream in Iowa. In central Iowa, visibilities
have gone down to less than a mile in spots with a band of snow;
that should translate into our area after 6pm, but it remains to
be seen how well it will hold together. We'll keep the forecast
updated.

Bumgardner

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 113 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

***** STRONG STORMS THIS AFTERNOON *****

CAMs remain in agreement that a hslc line of storms will form along
a cold front early this afternoon between roughly the IL River and I-
55. As these storms move into a strongly sheared and increasingly
unstable airmass to the east (sfc dewpoints are already in the low-
mid 60s), they are forecast to intensify, posing a risk for mainly
scattered damaging wind gusts of 60+ mph. However, with low LCLs,
1000-2000 J/kg of SBCAPE, and 50-65 kt 0-6km bulk shear, both the
HRRR and RRFS advertise sig tor parameter values climbing to 2 to 4
east of a roughly Taylorville to Bloomington line. 0-3km CAPE over
150 J/kg and and 30-40 kt shear would favor a QLCS tornado risk with
any bowing segments that maximize the line-normal component of this
shear, but the HRRR, ARW, and each REFS member suggest there may be
some hybrid/supercell characteristics as well. Needless to say, the
SPC level 2 of 5 (slight) risk for severe weather and 5% tornado
risk seem justified by what we're seeing; we anticipate needing a
line of severe thunderstorm warnings with one/more embedded tornado
warnings this afternoon. Timing would be roughly 1-2pm near/west of
I-55 to 7pm along the IL/IN state line. In addition, storm motion
will be fast at 50-65 mph, so be sure to have multiple ways to
receive warnings and a plan for quickly taking shelter if necessary.

***** TURNING WINDY AND SHARPLY COLDER *****

Behind the cold front, the rapid pressure rises will result in an
abrupt uptick in (non-thunderstorm) winds out of the west-northwest.
This effect will be most pronounced in areas near and east of
roughly I-55, since the front will be strengthening as it moves
through. Simultaneously, the sfc low will rapidly deepen (~20 mb in
15 hours) in the left exit region of the curved 125-140 kt 500mb jet
streak, where differential positive vorticity advection will be
maximized (from both shear and curvature). This will result in a
sharp pressure gradient across the area. Unsurprisingly, forecast
soundings from various CAMs suggest mean PBL winds reach 35 to 40 kt
late this evening, with winds at the top of the mixed layer around
45 kt; the NAMNest even suggests a few hours where the max wind at
the top of the PBL reaches 50+ kt across our north. Consequently, we
suspect winds will be sustained at 30-35+ mph with frequent gusts to
45+ overnight area-wide. In our north, sustained winds may approach
40 mph for a couple hours with a gust or two to 55+ mph tonight.
The HREF suggests less than a 10% chance of these 55 mph gusts,
but we lean more towards the REFS which advertises those
probabilities at 20-40% given the strong cold advection (and
subsident) regime with rapid pressure rises. The Wind Advisory
remains in effect from 3pm this afternoon through 3pm tomorrow
area-wide.

In addition to the wind this evening, a brief burst of snow with
moisture wrapping around the low could give our area a quick dusting
to an inch of accumulation. This seems most likely between 6pm and
midnight north of roughly I-72 (I-74 east of Champaign). Additional
snow showers may (20-40% chance) continue along the I-74 corridor
into tomorrow morning, with lighter activity (we called it
"flurries" in the forecast) further south. With the rapid drop in
temperatures this evening, possibly resulting in a flash freeze
(though this will depend on how much evaporates due to the strong
winds), and the proceeding snow, we may wind up with some slick
spots on untreated roadways and sidewalks. Temperatures (wind
chills) will drop 25-30+ (35-45) degF in an hour behind the cold
front this evening, followed by a more gradual drop overnight with
lows in the teens (and wind chills between 0 and minus 10) by
sunrise Monday morning. Wind chills are unlikely (20-30% chance) to
rise out of the single digits on Monday.

Tuesday into Wednesday, global models and their respective ensembles
are in general agreement that ridging in the Plains will attempt to
nudge its way into the Midwest, but uncertainty increases in the
forecast Thursday (New Year's Day) and beyond as another push of
arctic air across the Great Lakes attempts to spill southward into
our neck of the woods. It also appears a clipper system will impact
some portion of the Midwest/Lower Great Lakes Regions Wednesday
night into Thursday, but probabilities for measurable snowfall are
highest to our north - only running 15-30% (highest along the I-74
corridor) in our area.

Bumgardner

&&

.AVIATION...  (For the 00z TAFs through 00z Monday Evening)
Issued at 505 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

A rapidly deepening low pressure system will lift from northeast
IL across Lower Michigan and into Lake Superior tonight. The tight
pressure gradient will result in increasingly strong winds blowing
out of the west-northwest this evening into tonight, with
sustained speeds around 25-30 kt and gusts over 40 kt at times.
Ceilings should be mainly MVFR throughout the overnight period,
however flight conditions may briefly enter the IFR category due
to reduced visibilities in a wave of snow translating west to
east across the airfields between 01z and 05z (7-11pm) this
evening. As the surface low lifts away to the northeast, the
gradient will gradually relax and MVFR ceilings may (50-70%
chance) break up late Monday morning into early afternoon.

Bumgardner

&&

.ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Wind Advisory until 3 PM CST Monday for ILZ027>031-036>038-
040>057-061>063-066>068-071>073.

&&

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
212 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

ILZ027>031-036-037-040-041-047>050-292015-
Knox-Stark-Peoria-Marshall-Woodford-Fulton-Tazewell-Schuyler-Mason-
Cass-Menard-Scott-Morgan-
212 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

West-northwest winds will gust 45-50 mph behind a strong cold front
tonight. Falling temperatures behind the front will drop wind chills
to the single digits below zero late tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Wind chills will be in the single digits below zero Monday morning.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated tonight.

ILZ038-042>046-051>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-292015-
McLean-Logan-De Witt-Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Sangamon-Christian-
Macon-Moultrie-Douglas-Coles-Edgar-Shelby-Cumberland-Clark-Effingham-
Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence-
212 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

A strong cold front will move through the area late this afternoon
and bring a round of scattered thunderstorms. Some of these storms
could be strong to severe with damaging winds and isolated tornadoes
as the main severe weather threat.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Behind the front, northwest winds will gust to 40-50 mph, along with
temperatures becoming much colder. This will lead to wind chills
falling into the single digits below zero early Monday morning for
areas north of I-70.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon.

25

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
347 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

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

0317 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 W Decatur             39.85N 88.99W
12/28/2025                   Macon              IL   Public

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
348 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

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

0324 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     4 SE Owaneco            39.44N 89.15W
12/28/2025                   Christian          IL   Emergency Mngr

            Tree downed by thunderstorm winds.

&&

JRB

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
350 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

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

0320 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 W Mount Zion          39.78N 88.91W
12/28/2025                   Macon              IL   Public

            Multiple trees snapped. Possible tornado.
            Twitter report.

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
354 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

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

0245 PM     Rain             1 ENE Washington        40.71N 89.39W
12/28/2025  M1.91 Inch       Tazewell           IL   Public

            Had 0.86 inch additional rain with line of
            storms in the afternoon giving total of 1.91
            inch so far today.

&&

07

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
356 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

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

0350 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Capital Airport         39.85N 89.68W
12/28/2025  M55 MPH          Sangamon           IL   ASOS

            ASOS station KSPI Spfld Capital AP.

&&

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
520 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

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

0505 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 WSW Decatur Airport   39.83N 88.87W
12/28/2025  M47 MPH          Macon              IL   ASOS

            ASOS station KDEC Decatur Arpt.

0358 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Willard Airport         40.03N 88.28W
12/28/2025  M46 MPH          Champaign          IL   ASOS

            ASOS station KCMI Willard Arpt.

&&