Alert archive / Illinois / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 113, NWS Lincoln, IL
NWS Lincoln, IL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Apr 3, 2026, 3:42 PM CDT for Champaign County, McLean County, Illinois. It was in force for 33 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 3, 2026, 3:42 PM CDT (20:42 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 3, 2026, 4:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 33 min
- Issued by
- NWS Lincoln, IL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Champaign County, IL, McLean County, IL
The radar
The Lincoln radar (KILX), 74 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:43 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 severe thunderstorm 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 nearest sounding before it
Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 8.7 hours before the alert went out and 34 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1023 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 47 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 172 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 229 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
405
WUUS53 KILX 032042
SVRILX
ILC019-113-032115-
/O.NEW.KILX.SV.W.0113.260403T2042Z-260403T2115Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
342 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Southeastern McLean County in central Illinois...
Northwestern Champaign County in east central Illinois...
* Until 415 PM CDT.
* At 342 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Le Roy, or 17
miles southwest of Gibson City, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage
to roofs, siding, and trees.
* This severe thunderstorm will be near...
Saybrook around 355 PM CDT.
This includes Interstate 74 between mile markers 147 and 152.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 4062 8846 4040 8846 4040 8834 4028 8857
4031 8873 4037 8883 4062 8860
TIME...MOT...LOC 2042Z 227DEG 25KT 4034 8867
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
MJA1 follow-up statement
821
WWUS53 KILX 032107
SVSILX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
407 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
ILC019-032116-
/O.CAN.KILX.SV.W.0113.000000T0000Z-260403T2115Z/
Champaign-
407 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
IS CANCELLED...
The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has weakened.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
&&
LAT...LON 4062 8846 4040 8846 4035 8853 4031 8873
4037 8883 4062 8860
TIME...MOT...LOC 2106Z 227DEG 25KT 4046 8851
$$
ILC113-032115-
/O.CON.KILX.SV.W.0113.000000T0000Z-260403T2115Z/
McLean-
407 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM CDT
FOR SOUTHEASTERN MCLEAN COUNTY...
At 406 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Saybrook, or
near Gibson City, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.
This severe thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
southeastern McLean County, including the following locations...
Ellsworth, Moraine View State Park, Anchor, Arrowsmith, and Cropsey.
This includes Interstate 74 between mile markers 147 and 152.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 4062 8846 4040 8846 4035 8853 4031 8873
4037 8883 4062 8860
TIME...MOT...LOC 2106Z 227DEG 25KT 4046 8851
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
MJAWhat 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 Lincoln, IL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Apr 3, 1:37 PM CDT, 2 hours 5 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Two periods of severe weather are expected through tonight. Of those, the first one (2-10 pm) would be most likely to produce all severe weather hazards, primarily west of I-55. The second one, after midnight, will mainly see a localized damaging wind threat.
- A trend for cooler weather is on tap for the second half of the weekend, into Tuesday. There is concern for a hard freeze in parts of central Illinois Monday night, mainly focused on areas near and north of I-74.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 3, 1:37 PM CDT, 2 hours 5 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 137 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Two periods of severe weather are expected through tonight. Of those, the first one (2-10 pm) would be most likely to produce all severe weather hazards, primarily west of I-55. The second one, after midnight, will mainly see a localized damaging wind threat. - A trend for cooler weather is on tap for the second half of the weekend, into Tuesday. There is concern for a hard freeze in parts of central Illinois Monday night, mainly focused on areas near and north of I-74. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 137 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 Through Saturday: A warm front was located roughly along I-72/US-36 early this afternoon, with temperatures south of it in the lower 70s and dew points in the mid 60s. Recent satellite imagery shows this particular region, while still having a fair amount of clouds, has had some breaks that have helped boost mixed layer CAPE's to around 1000 J/kg. Noontime run of the WoFS model suggests the boundary lifting about as far north as Peoria by mid afternoon. WoFS output, as well as recent runs of the HRRR and the 12z RRFS, are all focusing on convective initiation in the 2-3 pm time frame. This seems on track, as visible satellite is showing some towering cumulus centered along I-72, and some showers have been popping recently in east central Illinois. While severe weather is not a slam dunk this afternoon and evening, there are enough components that all hazards remain in play. However, most of this focus will be west of I-55, and especially toward the Illinois River valley. The first batch of storms will likely be out of our forecast area by late evening, but the line of storms associated with the cold front won't be too far behind. Main focus for that band will be in the midnight to 5 am time frame, with the main concern being with localized 50-60 mph wind gusts. After that, rain tapers from west to east on Saturday as the front pushes into Indiana by midday. Sunday through Tuesday: Much of this period will be fairly tranquil, as high pressure settles into the mid Mississippi Valley. Main concern in this time frame is with the cooler temperatures, and potential for a hard freeze. Latest LREF has about a 40% chance of a hard freeze (lows 28F or colder) Monday night, roughly along and north of I-74. Wednesday through Friday: A significant warming trend takes place, as the upper flow becomes more zonal, and high temperatures return to the 60s and 70s. Main feature of note will be a strong shortwave tracking across the northern states Wednesday-Thursday, with a trailing cold front arriving around Thursday. As it starts to parallel the upper flow, an extended chance of rain begins to set up. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 1240 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 A northward lifting warm front will bring southerly winds across the board through this afternoon and evening. Sustained wind speeds will be around 10 kts with occasional gusts near 20 kts through late tonight. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible in the vicinity of the warm front, as well as within the warm sector. This threat exists primarily between 22z-03z at all terminals, though confidence and coverage remain low enough to cover with a PROB30 group for the time being. Later this evening, a higher confidence chance for widespread showers and thunderstorms exists, and will spread from west to east along a cold front. We covered this threat with a predominant TSRA mention, mainly between 05z-12z. Behind the leading line of thunderstorms, a trailing stratiform rain is likely through mid- Saturday morning before clouds gradually begin to lift and break by the end of this TAF period. && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && KEY MESSAGES...Geelhart DISCUSSION...Geelhart AVIATION...MJA
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 3, 1:40 PM CDT, 2 hours 2 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 140 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 ILZ027>031-036>038-040>053-041845- Knox-Stark-Peoria-Marshall-Woodford-Fulton-Tazewell-McLean-Schuyler- Mason-Logan-De Witt-Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Cass-Menard-Scott- Morgan-Sangamon-Christian-Macon- 140 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Periods of thunderstorms are expected through tonight. Some of these storms may be strong to severe, especially during the afternoon and early evening and again late evening and overnight. A few tornadoes are possible during the afternoon and evening. Damaging wind gusts over 60 mph and large hail over 1 inch diameter are possible with the strongest storms. Locally heavy rainfall could also produce areas of flooding in urban and poor drainage areas as well as near rivers. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. A few thunderstorms may continue into Saturday morning. Minor flooding is expected along the Illinois River, beginning early next week. Freezing temperatures are possible Monday night, and may cause damage to newly emerged tender vegetation. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed from 2 to 7 pm. Expected storm motion is toward the northeast around 35 mph. ILZ054>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-041845- Moultrie-Douglas-Coles-Edgar-Shelby-Cumberland-Clark-Effingham- Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence- 140 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois and southeast Illinois. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Periods of thunderstorms are expected through tonight. Some of these storms may be strong to severe. Damaging wind gusts over 60 mph and large hail over 1 inch diameter are possible with the strongest storms. Locally heavy rainfall could also produce areas of flooding in urban and poor drainage areas as well as near rivers. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. A few thunderstorms may continue into Saturday morning. Minor flooding is possible along the Wabash River and may develop along the Little Wabash River this weekend, continuing into next week. Freezing temperatures are possible Monday night, and may cause damage to newly emerged tender vegetation. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated for tonight. MJA
In the hours before
Local storm report, Apr 3, 10:59 AM CDT, 4 hours 43 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1059 AM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM Rain 3 NE East Galesburg 40.97N 90.27W
04/03/2026 M1.46 Inch Knox IL Cocorahs
Cocorahs station IL-KX-26 Galesburg 5.7 E.
0700 AM Rain 3 W Alta 40.82N 89.68W
04/03/2026 M1.38 Inch Peoria IL Cocorahs
Cocorahs station IL-PR-9 Dunlap 2.6 S.
0645 AM Rain 2 WSW Henry 41.10N 89.38W
04/03/2026 M1.26 Inch Marshall IL Cocorahs
Cocorahs station IL-MH-5 Henry 1.4 SW.
0710 AM Rain 3 NE Dunlap 40.89N 89.64W
04/03/2026 M1.25 Inch Peoria IL Cocorahs
Cocorahs station IL-PR-4 Dunlap 2.6 NE.
0700 AM Rain 3 S Henry 41.07N 89.35W
04/03/2026 M1.20 Inch Marshall IL Cocorahs
Cocorahs station IL-MH-8 3 S Henry.
0700 AM Rain 1 W Galesburg 40.95N 90.39W
04/03/2026 M1.12 Inch Knox IL CO-OP Observer
CO-OP Observer station GBGI2 Galesburg.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Lincoln, IL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2, 7:24 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Peoria, Tazewell | 51 min |
| Apr 2, 7:38 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Marshall, Woodford | 31 min |
| Apr 3, 3:21 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | DeWitt, McLean | 39 min |
| Apr 3, 3:55 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | McLean | 35 min |
| Apr 3, 4:05 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Fulton, Mason, Schuyler | 55 min |
| Apr 3, 4:50 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Vermilion | 14 min |
| Apr 3, 4:54 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Fulton, Mason, Peoria, Tazewell | 51 min |
| Apr 3, 5:00 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Logan, Mason, Tazewell | 30 min |
| Apr 3, 5:24 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Cass, Morgan, Schuyler | 22 min |
| Apr 3, 5:29 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Mason, Tazewell | 31 min |
| Apr 3, 5:49 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Tazewell | 26 min |
| Apr 3, 6:09 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Tazewell | 36 min |
| Apr 3, 6:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Fulton, Mason, Tazewell | 47 min |
| Apr 3, 6:36 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | McLean, Tazewell | 39 min |
| Apr 3, 6:40 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Mason, Tazewell | 35 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Illinois, 2026Every severe thunderstorm 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.