Alert archive / Illinois / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 41, NWS Lincoln, IL

June 27, 20266 counties in Illinois

NWS Lincoln, IL issued this flash flood warning at Jun 27, 2026, 1:18 PM CDT for 6 counties in Illinois. It was in force for 6 hr. 4 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
Jun 27, 2026, 1:18 PM CDT (18:18 UTC)
Expired
Jun 27, 2026, 7:30 PM CDT
In force
6 hr
Issued by
NWS Lincoln, IL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Clay County, IL, Crawford County, IL, Effingham County, IL, Jasper County, IL, Lawrence County, IL, Richland County, IL

The radar

The Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 71 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:19 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jun 27, 2:10 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD2 S Xenia, ILThe Xenia Fire Department reported flooding along Fairfield Road south of Xenia.
Jun 27, 2:15 PM CDTRAIN 1.121 Sw Newton, ILMesonet station EW2373 Newton.
Jun 27, 3:58 PM CDTRAIN 1.132 Sse Clay City, ILMesonet station AX448 CLAY CITY.
Jun 27, 5:08 PM CDTRAIN 1.162 Sse Clay City, ILMesonet station AX448 CLAY CITY.

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 one storm report to this flash flood warning; the first came 52 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 nearest sounding before it

Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 6.3 hours before the alert went out and 156 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, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2026-06-27Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 255 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, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2026-06-27The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 123 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
255 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-49 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
464 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
22 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
123 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
160 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
1.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

939 
WGUS53 KILX 271818
FFWILX
ILC025-033-049-079-101-159-280030-
/O.NEW.KILX.FF.W.0041.260627T1818Z-260628T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
118 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Crawford County in east central Illinois...
  Clay County in south central Illinois...
  Southeastern Effingham County in south central Illinois...
  Jasper County in southeastern Illinois...
  Lawrence County in southeastern Illinois...
  Richland County in southeastern Illinois...

* Until 730 PM CDT Saturday.

* At 117 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. The expected rainfall rate is 1 
  to 2 inches in 1 hour. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to 
  begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
           areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
           other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Olney, Robinson, Flora, Lawrenceville, Newton, Sumner, Bridgeport, 
  Oblong, Palestine, Louisville, Clay City, St. Francisville, Noble, 
  Hutsonville, Edgewood, Xenia, Mason, Bible Grove, Flat Rock and 
  Ste. Marie.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are 
potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded 
roads. Find an alternate route.

&&

LAT...LON 3917 8782 3917 8766 3912 8763 3911 8765
      3906 8757 3899 8756 3899 8758 3896 8751
      3886 8755 3878 8750 3874 8750 3868 8753
      3866 8760 3859 8761 3857 8765 3861 8870
      3891 8869 3892 8879

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...1-2 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

25
1 follow-up statement
429 
WGUS73 KILX 280032 RRA
FFSILX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
732 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

ILC025-049-101-159-280042-
/O.EXP.KILX.FF.W.0041.000000T0000Z-260628T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Clay IL-Effingham IL-Lawrence IL-Richland IL-
732 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR CRAWFORD, CLAY, SOUTHEASTERN 
EFFINGHAM, JASPER, LAWRENCE AND RICHLAND COUNTIES...

Flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to 
heed remaining road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 3917 8782 3917 8766 3912 8763 3911 8765
      3906 8757 3899 8756 3899 8758 3896 8751
      3886 8755 3878 8750 3874 8750 3868 8753
      3866 8760 3859 8761 3857 8765 3861 8870
      3891 8869 3892 8879

$$

07

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood 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 flash flood warning went out at Jun 27, 12:54 PM CDT, 24 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • A marginal risk of severe thunderstorms and localized heavy rainfall exists south of Interstate 70 this afternoon, while a stalled front south of Interstate 72 presents a risk for funnel clouds.
  • An extended period of dangerous heat and humidity begins Sunday, with a Heat Advisory active and likely requiring extensions through much of the upcoming workweek.
  • Dry conditions dominate through midweek before thunderstorm chances return late next week.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 27, 12:54 PM CDT, 24 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1254 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A marginal risk of severe thunderstorms and localized heavy
  rainfall exists south of Interstate 70 this afternoon, while a
  stalled front south of Interstate 72 presents a risk for funnel
  clouds.

- An extended period of dangerous heat and humidity begins
  Sunday, with a Heat Advisory active and likely requiring
  extensions through much of the upcoming workweek.

- Dry conditions dominate through midweek before thunderstorm
  chances return late next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1254 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

Current surface analysis reveals a weak, stalled frontal
boundary positioned just south of the Interstate 72 corridor.
High-resolution convective guidance indicates an environment
characterized by localized low-level vorticity and weak
vertical shear along this boundary. The Non-Supercell Tornado
Parameter (NSTP) highlights values between 2 and 4, which
justifies a mention of funnel clouds stretched along a
Jacksonville to Paris corridor through this afternoon (see
recently issued Special Weather Statement). In fact, a brief
funnel was reported at noon south of Decatur. If enough cloud
breaks can be sustained, an increase in low level lapse rates
paired with low LCLs would make a few landspout tornadoes
possible, though higher boundary layer friction due to crop
height make this less likely than a month or two ago.

South of the Interstate 70 corridor, a more unstable airmass
is present, characterized by mid-upper 70s dewpoints and MLCAPE
values near 2000 J/kg. Effective bulk shear remains low at 25
kt or less, making organized/widespread severe weather unlikely.
The Storm Prediction Center has placed this southern tier under
a Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorms into early evening.
Convective elements within this zone are capable of producing
isolated damaging wind gusts due to precip loading and
torrential rainfall. HREF hourly probability fields show a 40%
chance of localized rainfall amounts exceeding 1 inch, which
raises the potential for isolated/localized flash flooding

Sunday morning, a warm front swings north across the CWA,
bringing a low (20-30%) chance of an isolated shower or storm.
Behind the front, winds veer southeast to south through
afternoon and upper-level heights rise rapidly as a sub-
tropical ridge expands northward from the Gulf Coast. NBM
guidance indicates high temperatures climbing into the lower 90s
over the southwest half of the CWA. Paired with high ambient
humidity, heat index values are projected to exceed 100 degrees
across much of the forecast area, with values up to 105 degrees
in southeast and west central Illinois. A Heat Advisory goes
into effect Sunday afternoon southwest of a Peoria to Robinson
line to address these conditions.

An intense and prolonged heat wave will dominate the weather
pattern across central and southeast Illinois through
midweek. Strong multi-model consensus among the GEFS and ECMWF
ensembles shows a core 594 dam ridge anchoring over the
Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys. The ECMWF Extreme Forecast
Index (EFI) highlights values between 0.8 and 0.9 for maximum
temperatures Monday through Wednesday, signifying that the
magnitude of this heat event is unusual in a climatological
context for the end of June. Furthermore, given low-mid 70s
forecast dewpoints, peak heat index values exceeding 105
degrees are likely during this timeframe. High confidence
exists regarding the severity and medium confidence in the
longevity of this heat event, and the Heat Advisory will likely
require extension through at least Wednesday for the entire CWA.

A forecast challenge emerges late week regarding the breakdown
of the ridge and the return of precipitation. Notable
disagreements exist among medium range ensemble guidance. The
GFS presents a faster and more progressive upper-level trough
shifting across the Northern Plains by Thursday, which acts to
suppress the ridge and introduce thunderstorm chances ahead of a
cold front. In contrast, the ECMWF Ens/ECMWF-AI maintain a
stronger ridge over the eastern United States, holding
precipitation chances at bay until Friday or Saturday. Due to
these discrepancies, confidence is below normal regarding the
exact timing of storm chances late next week.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 1157 AM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

Current batch of IFR ceiling over central IL is forecast to
lift into MVFR category early this afternoon, then above the
MVFR threshold late afternoon. However, IFR ceilings are
forecast to redevelop overnight near a slow moving boundary
along the I-72 corridor, then expand north over all central IL
terminals. These ceilings should improve by late morning as a
warm front lifts across the area. A few SHRA/TSRA could
accompany the front, however coverage is too low to include in
TAFs at this point. Winds will generally be light easterly
through tonight, then firming from the southeast around 10 kt
by late morning.

&&

.ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Heat Advisory from 1 PM to 7 PM CDT Sunday for ILZ027>029-036-
037-040>042-047>054-061-062-066>068-071>073.

&&

KEY MESSAGES...25
DISCUSSION...25
AVIATION...25
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 27, 11:42 AM CDT, 1 hour 36 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1142 AM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

ILZ030-031-038-043>046-055>057-063-281645-
Marshall-Woodford-McLean-De Witt-Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Douglas-
Coles-Edgar-Clark-
1142 AM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

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

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

There is a 30% chance for isolated thunderstorms today and tonight.
The primary hazards with any such activity will be brief heavy
rainfall, cloud-to-ground lightning, and gusty thunderstorm winds up
to 60 mph.

Residual flooding along the Illinois River will persist.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Dangerous heat will span from Monday through Friday with daily
temperatures forecast to reach the lower 90s and heat index values
up to 105 degrees. The prolonged period of the heat and the fact that
warm nighttime temperatures will offer limited relief make this a
potentially dangerous situation.

Residual flooding along the Illinois River will persist.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated through tonight.

ILZ027>029-036-037-040>042-047>054-061-062-066>068-071>073-281645-
Knox-Stark-Peoria-Fulton-Tazewell-Schuyler-Mason-Logan-Cass-Menard-
Scott-Morgan-Sangamon-Christian-Macon-Moultrie-Shelby-Cumberland-
Effingham-Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence-
1142 AM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

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

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

There is a 30% chance for isolated thunderstorms today and tonight.
The primary hazards with any such activity will be brief heavy
rainfall, cloud-to-ground lightning, and gusty thunderstorm winds up
to 60 mph.

Residual flooding along the Embarras and Little Wabash rivers will
persist.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Dangerous heat will span from Sunday through Friday with daily
temperatures forecast to reach the lower 90s and heat index values up
to 105 degrees. The prolonged period of the heat and the fact that
warm nighttime temperatures will offer limited relief make this a
potentially dangerous situation.

Residual flooding along the Embarras and Little Wabash rivers will
persist.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated through tonight.

MJA

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 27, 12:31 PM CDT, 47 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1231 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

ILZ049>057-061>063-280000-
Scott-Morgan-Sangamon-Christian-Macon-Moultrie-Douglas-Coles-Edgar-
Shelby-Cumberland-Clark-
Including the cities of Winchester, Jacksonville, Springfield,
Taylorville, Decatur, Sullivan, Tuscola, Charleston, Mattoon, Paris,
Shelbyville, Greenup, and Marshall
1231 PM CDT Sat Jun 27 2026

...FUNNEL CLOUDS SIGHTED OVER CENTRAL ILLINOIS...

Atmospheric conditions exist that favor the possible formation
of weak circulations along a pre-existing boundary. Some of these
circulations are occurring underneath developing showers and
thunderstorms, where a funnel cloud may develop. Once the rain
begins, the funnel cloud usually dissipates.

Low hanging clouds can also appear to dip up and down at times,
but they will not show signs of any rapid rotation. An actual
funnel cloud will exhibit spinning in a counter-clockwise direction.

In rare instances these funnels may briefly touch down. Stay alert
and be prepared to move to a safe shelter if a funnel cloud
approaches the ground.

MJA

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 27, 11:14 AM CDTHeat AdvisoryILXCass, Christian, Clay, Crawford, Cumberland, Effingham and 18 more32 hr
Jun 27, 3:19 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningILXClark, Crawford, Cumberland, Jasper4 hr
Jun 27, 3:52 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningILXClark, Coles, Edgar4 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Illinois, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

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.