Alert archive / Illinois / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 258, NWS Lincoln, IL
NWS Lincoln, IL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jun 11, 2026, 9:30 PM CDT for 4 counties in Illinois. It was in force for 45 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
- Jun 11, 2026, 9:30 PM CDT (02:30 UTC)
- Expired
- Jun 11, 2026, 10:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 45 min
- Issued by
- NWS Lincoln, IL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Possible
- Hail
- 0.88 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Cumberland County, IL, Effingham County, IL, Jasper County, IL, Shelby County, IL
The radar
The Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 120 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:31 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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 11, 7:08 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
| Jun 11, 8:47 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 5 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Davenport, (KDVN), launched 00:00Z, 2.5 hours before the alert went out and 322 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
- 9 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -418 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 893 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 60 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -130 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- -57 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- -1.5
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 Lincoln, IL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jun 11, 8:35 PM CDT, 55 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- A line of severe thunderstorms is forecast to produce damaging winds and several embedded tornadoes across central Illinois this evening (risk level 4 of 5). The window for the most intense storms will be 4-10pm.
- While the risk is lower (level 2 of 4), there could be some localized flooding with these storms as well, especially north of I-72 and west of I-57 where many locations received several inches of rainfall yesterday.
- More showers and thunderstorms are likely (60-80% chance) Saturday night, with a level 1 of 5 (marginal) risk for severe weather and excessive rainfall.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 11, 8:35 PM CDT, 55 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 835 PM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - A line of severe thunderstorms is forecast to produce damaging winds and several embedded tornadoes across central Illinois this evening (risk level 4 of 5). The window for the most intense storms will be 4-10pm. - While the risk is lower (level 2 of 4), there could be some localized flooding with these storms as well, especially north of I-72 and west of I-57 where many locations received several inches of rainfall yesterday. - More showers and thunderstorms are likely (60-80% chance) Saturday night, with a level 1 of 5 (marginal) risk for severe weather and excessive rainfall. && .UPDATE... Issued at 835 PM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026 A squall line of severe storms was racing eastward around 60 mph across central IL late this afternoon and early evening. Currently the line of storms was along and just south of I-72 and still producing severe storms with several counties having severe thunderstorm warnings and going into west central and nw Indiana where some tornado warnings were in effect. This squall line had a history of widespread damaging winds, and some large hail and tornadoes over central and northeast IL. This line of storms is moving quicker and will likely stay severe as it moves into southeast IL late this evening. Very unstable air mass still ahead of these storms with MLCAPES of 2500-3500 j/kg and increasing bulk shear values moving into southeast IL next few hours. The convection was se of a Bloomington to Jacksonville line and the flood watch will be allow to expire at 9 pm cdt. The latest HRRR has line of strong to severe storms moving inot far southeast IL between midnight and 1 am and ending in se IL between 3-4 am. Lows overnight 55-60F from I-72 north (coolest in Galesburg) to mid 60s in southeast IL. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 230 PM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026 ***** SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK THIS EVENING ***** At 230pm, temperatures and dewpoints across central and southeast Illinois were in the mid-upper 80s and mid 70s, respectively amidst southerly flow, evapotranspiration "ET" (mostly evaporation this early in the growing season), and sunshine. RAP mesoanalysis suggests this is contributing to MLCAPE values of 1000-3500 J/kg - a sharp gradient across the area with higher values to the south. Surface heating should continue to boost both temperatures and instability and reduce convective inhibition (CIN) throughout the afternoon ahead of an approaching cold front, which will sweep the area west-east during the mid to late evening hours. RAP/HRRR/NAM suggest MLCAPE will peak around 4000-5000 J/kg with 35-45 kt deep layer shear ahead of that front, which should provide sufficient forcing to maintain the ongoing storms across west-central IL and result in development further to the south. This highly volatile convective environment should favor organized convection capable initially of all severe hazards (tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds), with an increasing wind and quasilinear convective system (QLCS) tornado threat as storms grow quickly upscale into bowing lines. PWATs approaching 2 inches will favor precip loading, especially in the taller cores which will feature melting hail, while steep mid level lapse rates and wide CAPE profiles will enhance potential for RIJ formation in bowing segments; this will increase the risk for high-end (75+ mph) and long-duration (20+ minutes) straight-line winds which would result in swaths of enhanced damage (trees down, shingle damage, power outages). SPC has issued a level 4 of 5, "moderate," risk for severe weather, driven by wind and tornadoes, which could be strong north of a Macomb to Bloomington line. Winds ahead of these storms may gust up to 40 mph from the south, as descending hydrometeors from anvils aid in momentum transport from a 40-50 kt LLJ (strongest over northern IL). ***** LOW RISK FOR FLASH FLOODING ***** With some locations north of I-72 and west of I-57 having received over 3 inches of rainfall yesterday (and multiple rounds of heavy rainfall in days prior), there is concern that flash flooding could occur with storms this afternoon and evening. This is especially true with the ongoing training storms north of a roughly Macomb to El Paso line. 3 hour FFG in some of these areas is under a half an inch, and with various CAMs advertising 1 hour rain rates >1 inch it makes sense there could be some issues, especially in urban and poor drainage areas. A Flood Watch was issued for Cass to Dewitt, and counties further north, in effect until 9pm. ***** LESS WARM AND MUGGY STARTING TONIGHT ***** Behind the cold front, conditions will turn much less humid and, with some clearing, temperatures are forecast to fall into the mid to upper 50s overnight west of roughly I-57. High temperatures tomorrow should only climb into the low 80s, making it feel much more pleasant heading into the weekend. Warm air advection (WAA) will bring a slightly more humid airmass into the region tomorrow night into Saturday ahead of another shortwave trough, but convection to our southwest should limit the northward extent of deep layer moisture - resulting in a low (albeit nonzero) risk for severe weather and heavy rainfall Saturday/night in our neck of the woods. Both SPC and WPC have us in marginal risks for each hazard. Behind that second front, much cooler conditions return, with NBM only giving a 15-30% chance high temperatures reach 75 degrees on Sunday. Temperatures are slated to moderate gradually towards the middle of next week, as southwest flow returns ahead of the next upper level low pressure system. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 640 PM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026 Strong to severe thunderstorms are currently moving through the area. These storms are currently producing strong winds with recorded gusts up to about 50 knots or potentially greater. A tornado is also possible with this line of storms as it pushes through the area. These storms are moving through quickly though and will exit the area between 01z to 02z. Brief drops to MVFR ceilings is expected in the storms and potentially for an hour or so behind them as well. Visibility will drop to IFR levels within the storm. The good news is that quiet conditions will return in the wake of the departing thunderstorms. Winds will remain out of the northwest before weakening this evening while backing to out of the west. With calmer winds in place, there could be isolated patches of fog or low stratus. However, the probability of fog or low ceilings is low at a <=20% chance. Have kept this potential omitted from all TAFs at this time but trends will be monitored through the night. Otherwise, light west/northwest winds are expected for the rest of the TAF period as high pressure moves into the region. && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch until 9 PM CDT this evening for ILZ031-037-038- 041>043-047-048. && KEY MESSAGES...Bumgardner UPDATE...07 DISCUSSION...Bumgardner AVIATION...Meyers
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 11, 4:05 PM CDT, 5 hours 25 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 405 PM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026 ILZ027>031-036>038-040>057-061-122115- Knox-Stark-Peoria-Marshall-Woodford-Fulton-Tazewell-McLean-Schuyler- Mason-Logan-De Witt-Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Cass-Menard-Scott- Morgan-Sangamon-Christian-Macon-Moultrie-Douglas-Coles-Edgar-Shelby- 405 PM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Severe thunderstorms are expected through this evening. Damaging winds over 70 mph, large hail, and tornadoes are all possible with the strongest storms. Heavy rain may also lead to flash flooding, especially where heavy rain fell the last several days. River flooding is ongoing or expected to develop along the Spoon, La Moine, Illinois and Mackinaw Rivers. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Additional thunderstorms are expected Saturday night. A few of these will be capable of producing strong wind gusts. River flooding is ongoing or expected to develop along the Spoon, La Moine, Mackinaw, and Illinois Rivers. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will be needed through late this evening. Expected storm motion is toward east between 35-45 mph. ILZ062-063-066>068-071>073-122115- Cumberland-Clark-Effingham-Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence- 405 PM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Illinois and southeast Illinois. .DAY ONE...Tonight. A line of severe thunderstorms is expected to move across the area this evening. These storms will be capable of damaging wind gusts and a couple tornadoes. In addition, locally heavy rain may aggravate any lingering flooding from recent storms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Additional thunderstorms are expected Saturday night. A few of these will be capable of producing strong wind gusts. Minor flooding will continue along the Wabash River into next week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed through late this evening. Expected storm motion is toward the east-southeast around 35-45 mph. NMA
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jun 11, 8:32 PM CDT, 58 minutes before
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</html>The office that day
Everything else NWS Lincoln, IL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 11, 7:01 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | Cass, Logan, Mason, Menard, Morgan, Sangamon and 2 more | 4 hr |
| Jun 11, 7:19 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Vermilion | 14 min |
| Jun 11, 7:22 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Champaign, Douglas, Edgar, Piatt, Vermilion | 53 min |
| Jun 11, 7:24 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | DeWitt, Logan, Macon, Piatt | 4 hr |
| Jun 11, 7:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Christian, Coles, Douglas, Macon, Morgan, Moultrie and 3 more | 62 min |
| Jun 11, 7:28 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Champaign, Vermilion | 36 min |
| Jun 11, 7:46 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Vermilion | 15 min |
| Jun 11, 7:55 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | Christian, Macon, Morgan, Piatt, Sangamon | 3 hr |
| Jun 11, 8:15 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Champaign, Coles, Douglas, Moultrie, Piatt | 30 min |
| Jun 11, 8:28 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Christian, Macon, Sangamon | 47 min |
| Jun 11, 8:38 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Clark, Coles, Douglas, Edgar | 55 min |
| Jun 11, 8:45 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, Shelby | 45 min |
| Jun 11, 9:03 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Champaign, Coles, Douglas, Moultrie, Piatt | 27 min |
| Jun 11, 9:24 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie and 1 more | 66 min |
| Jun 11, 9:37 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Champaign, Vermilion | 23 min |
| Jun 11, 10:11 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Clark, Crawford, Cumberland, Jasper | 46 min |
| Jun 11, 10:45 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Clay, Effingham | 45 min |
| Jun 11, 11:15 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Clay, Effingham, Jasper, Richland | 45 min |
| Jun 12, 10:19 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | ILX | Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford | 20 days |
| Jun 12, 10:28 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | ILX | Clay, Richland | 47 hr |
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.