Alert archive / Illinois / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 263, NWS Lincoln, IL
NWS Lincoln, IL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jun 16, 2026, 3:38 PM CDT for Champaign County, Vermilion County, Illinois. It was in force for 67 min. 8 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 16, 2026, 3:38 PM CDT (20:38 UTC)
- Expired
- Jun 16, 2026, 4:45 PM CDT
- In force
- 67 min
- Issued by
- NWS Lincoln, IL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Champaign County, IL, Vermilion County, IL
The radar
The Lincoln radar (KILX), 124 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:40 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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 16, 3:47 PM CDT | HAIL 1.25 | Saint Joseph, IL | Report from mPING: Half Dollar (1.25 in.). |
| Jun 16, 3:47 PM CDT | HAIL 1.75 | Saint Joseph, IL | Golf ball size hail with photo by measuring tape. |
| Jun 16, 3:51 PM CDT | HAIL 1.5 | 2 W Ogden, IL | Ping pong size hail along I-74 west of Odgen. A few pieces of hail larger than ping pong. |
| Jun 16, 3:52 PM CDT | HAIL 1.75 | Ogden, IL | Oblong shape golf ball size hail from a viewer with photo. |
| Jun 16, 4:03 PM CDT | HAIL 1.5 | Bismarck, IL | Photo of two large hailstones in hand. |
| Jun 16, 4:05 PM CDT | HAIL 0.75 | 2 S Oakwood, IL | Half to three quarter inch size hail south of Oakwood. |
| Jun 16, 4:10 PM CDT | FUNNEL CLOUD | 3 Se Fairmount, IL | Brief Funnel cloud that never touched down. |
| Jun 16, 4:25 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | Belgium, IL | Quarter size hail in Belgium. |
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 6 storm reports to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 9 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 watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 16, 3:07 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 8.6 hours before the alert went out and 61 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
- 1811 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 47 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 208 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 194 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
750
WUUS53 KILX 162038
SVRILX
ILC019-183-162145-
/O.NEW.KILX.SV.W.0263.260616T2038Z-260616T2145Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
338 PM CDT Tue Jun 16 2026
The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Central Vermilion County in east central Illinois...
Southeastern Champaign County in east central Illinois...
* Until 445 PM CDT.
* At 338 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over St. Joseph,
or 7 miles east of Urbana, moving east 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...
St. Joseph and Ogden around 345 PM CDT.
Fithian around 350 PM CDT.
Other locations in the path of this severe thunderstorm include
Oakwood, Danville, Tilton and Vermilion Regional Airport.
This includes Interstate 74 between mile markers 188 and 219.
This also includes Harry Babe Woodyard State Natural Area, Kickapoo
State Recreation Area, and Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 3998 8810 4018 8814 4039 8753 3995 8754
TIME...MOT...LOC 2038Z 256DEG 22KT 4009 8806
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Barnes3 follow-up statements
774
WWUS53 KILX 162057
SVSILX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
357 PM CDT Tue Jun 16 2026
ILC019-162106-
/O.CAN.KILX.SV.W.0263.000000T0000Z-260616T2145Z/
Champaign-
357 PM CDT Tue Jun 16 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
IS CANCELLED...
The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of
the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
east central Illinois.
&&
LAT...LON 3997 8794 4022 8794 4023 8793 4025 8793
4039 8753 3995 8754
TIME...MOT...LOC 2056Z 256DEG 22KT 4012 8792
$$
ILC183-162145-
/O.CON.KILX.SV.W.0263.000000T0000Z-260616T2145Z/
Vermilion-
357 PM CDT Tue Jun 16 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 PM CDT
FOR CENTRAL VERMILION COUNTY...
At 356 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Fithian, or 14
miles east of Urbana, moving east 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 storm will be near...
Fithian around 400 PM CDT.
Oakwood around 405 PM CDT.
Danville around 420 PM CDT.
Vermilion Regional Airport around 430 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this severe thunderstorm include Muncie,
Collison, Belgium, Alvin, Jamaica, Bismarck, and Henning.
This also includes Harry Babe Woodyard State Natural Area, Kickapoo
State Recreation Area, and Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area.
This includes Interstate 74 between mile markers 198 and 219.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 3997 8794 4022 8794 4023 8793 4025 8793
4039 8753 3995 8754
TIME...MOT...LOC 2056Z 256DEG 22KT 4012 8792
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Barnes016
WWUS53 KILX 162118
SVSILX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
418 PM CDT Tue Jun 16 2026
ILC183-162145-
/O.CON.KILX.SV.W.0263.000000T0000Z-260616T2145Z/
Vermilion-
418 PM CDT Tue Jun 16 2026
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 PM CDT
FOR SOUTHEASTERN VERMILION COUNTY...
At 418 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Westville, or
near Danville, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail
damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect wind
damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
This severe thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
southeastern Vermilion County, including the following locations...
Belgium.
This also includes Harry Babe Woodyard State Natural Area.
This includes Interstate 74 between mile markers 210 and 220.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 3996 8773 4019 8773 4024 8753 3995 8754
3996 8772
TIME...MOT...LOC 2118Z 276DEG 29KT 4005 8763
HAIL THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
Barnes133
WWUS53 KILX 162143
SVSILX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
443 PM CDT Tue Jun 16 2026
ILC183-162152-
/O.EXP.KILX.SV.W.0263.000000T0000Z-260616T2145Z/
Vermilion-
443 PM CDT Tue Jun 16 2026
...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN VERMILION COUNTY
WILL EXPIRE AT 445 PM CDT...
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
east central Illinois.
&&
LAT...LON 3996 8773 4019 8773 4024 8753 3995 8754
3996 8772
TIME...MOT...LOC 2142Z 256DEG 22KT 4008 8746
$$
BarnesWhat 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 16, 2:35 PM CDT, 1 hour 3 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- A dangerous severe weather outbreak is projected for for central IL on Wednesday, featuring tornadoes, damaging straight line winds, and large hail.
- Heavy rainfall rates will create a risk of localized flash flooding on Wednesday, particularly for areas near and north of I-74.
- Strong, non-convective gradient winds are anticipated Wednesday afternoon, with widespread southwest gusts near 45 mph, particularly for areas near and south of I-72.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 16, 2:35 PM CDT, 1 hour 3 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 235 PM CDT Tue Jun 16 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - A dangerous severe weather outbreak is projected for for central IL on Wednesday, featuring tornadoes, damaging straight line winds, and large hail. - Heavy rainfall rates will create a risk of localized flash flooding on Wednesday, particularly for areas near and north of I-74. - Strong, non-convective gradient winds are anticipated Wednesday afternoon, with widespread southwest gusts near 45 mph, particularly for areas near and south of I-72. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 235 PM CDT Tue Jun 16 2026 ...Isolated severe storms east of I-57 this afternoon... A vigorous mid-level shortwave is currently pivoting into the east central WI, with a trailing cold front pushing east of the IL River at 18z. Ahead of the front dewpoints are climbing to around 60F over eastern IL, contributing the MLCAPEs around 500 J/kg. Steady cooling aloft south of the upper wave, combined with deep layer shear around 50 kt, should allow for isolated to scattered storm development east of I-57 this afternoon. Thermodynamic profiles support an environment favorable for low- topped supercells capable of hail greater than 1" diameter and isolated damaging wind gusts. This activity should push south near I-70 by early evening in a weakening mode as the upper support pulls farther northeast. ...Moderate risk of severe weather Wednesday... A strong mid-level shortwave will track into the Upper Mississippi Valley, associated with and unseasonably strong 990 mb surface low. Mass field response south of the low is impressive, with ECMWF EFI highlighting an event at the top of mid June climatology in several kinematic and moisture fields. A 50-60 knot 850mb low- level jet will aggressively transport deep moisture into central and southeast Illinois overnight and into Wednesday morning. Precipitable water values are forecast to climb toward 2.0 inches, creating a high-efficiency environment for torrential rainfall. Strong low and deep layer shear will promote well organized and long lived storms capable of strong, long-track tornadoes, destructive straight line winds, and large hail. The first round of convective activity is projected to move into the region from the west during the morning hours, roughly between 7 AM and 1 PM. CAMs suggest this activity will primarily affect areas north of the I-72 corridor. High rain rates accompanying this round, combined with antecedent soil moisture, create a distinct threat for localized flash flooding. Training storm cells are likely, particularly near and north of I-74, prompting the issuance of a Flash Flood Watch for these locations. In addition to the flash flood threat, the morning round of storms looks to mainly be elevated but supported by strong effective shear. Consequently, these storms will primarily carry a risk for large hail. If storms can become rooted to the surface, there is a non-zero risk for damaging winds and a few tornadoes. The morning activity is significant not only for its immediate hazards but also for its potential to deposit an outflow boundary/effective warm front across the region, which will play a crucial role in the evolution of the atmosphere ahead of the primary afternoon severe weather event. The atmosphere is primed for a significant severe weather event Wed afternoon. Behind the morning convective activity, rapid destabilization is projected, with MLCAPE values likely surging into the 2500–3500 J/kg range and dewpoints reaching the lower 70s south of the boundary. This instability, combined with impressive bulk shear values (60-75 knots), creates a highly favorable environment for high-end severe storms. SPC’s Day 2 Outlook highlights a Moderate Risk (Level 4/5) for our area, reflecting the high confidence in an outbreak of all severe hazards. Discrete supercells are projected to initiate mid-to- late afternoon along a strong cold front pushing into central IL. These storms will pose an immediate threat for large hail, potentially exceeding 2 inches in diameter, and the development of strong (EF3+), long-tracked tornadoes. Shear vectors oriented favorably off the boundary will likely promote discrete cells persisting for several hours. Given the strong mid-level flow, storm motion will be fast at 50-60 mph to the east, or southeast for right movers. Eventually, cold pool interactions will foster upscale growth of these supercells into a linear structure during the evening. This line will will favor destructive, straight-line wind gusts for east central and SE IL, with line- embedded mesovortex tornadoes possible. Looking at possible failure modes for widespread/intense severe...while parameters are lining up well, forecast soundings exhibit mid level winds at 70-90 kt. Local studies have noted in past events when mid level winds exceed 80 kt, updrafts have difficulty persisting and can get tilted/blown downstream before growing tall enough to produce significant severe weather. Will have to see if this has any impact on coverage or intensity of this event. Aside from the storm related hazards, an out of season gradient wind event appears likely Wednesday afternoon driven by the deep surface low just to our north. High-res guidance shows southwesterly 45 mph wind gusts becoming likely, particularly near and south of I-72. A Wind Advisory has been issued for these areas from 1 PM to 7 PM. Crop canopy looks to be fairly closed at this point, though any fields that remain open/recently worked will carry a blowing dust risk. Calmer, more stable conditions arrive Thursday and Friday as the system departs and high pressure builds across the region. Temperatures will remain seasonable, generally in the mid 70s to low 80s. By Saturday night and into the start of next week, the upper- level pattern transitions into a zonal flow, reintroducing active weather. The GFS and ECMWF show some divergence regarding the specific timing of shortwave impulses, resulting in lower confidence for exact precipitation timing. However, an unsettled pattern is the most likely outcome, with the CPC 6-10 day outlook suggesting a trend toward below-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation. AI/ML severe products show some low probabilities for severe working back into the Midwest on Sunday. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 1224 PM CDT Tue Jun 16 2026 A cold front was located just west of KPIA at 17z, and will push east across the central IL terminals this afternoon. Winds will veer SW to W behind the front, gusting 20-25 kt until rapidly diminishing by early evening. There is a 20-30% chance that TSRA will redevelop along the front this afternoon - the only terminal that appears to risk seeing this is KCMI. Another round of storms is expected to develop after 12z Wed, affecting mainly near and north of I-74, so included a TEMPO or PROB30 mention at the terminals. Gusty southeast winds will develop after sunrise. && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch from Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening for ILZ027>031-036>038. Wind Advisory from 1 PM to 7 PM CDT Wednesday for ILZ040>057- 061>063-066>068-071>073. && KEY MESSAGES...25 DISCUSSION...25 AVIATION...25
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 16, 2:47 PM CDT, 51 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 247 PM CDT Tue Jun 16 2026 ILZ027>031-036>038-040>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-172000- 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- Cumberland-Clark-Effingham-Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence- 247 PM CDT Tue Jun 16 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois, southeast Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...Tonight. There is a marginal risk that some of the storms late this afternoon could become severe east of I-57, with hail and wind gusts up to 60 mph. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Severe thunderstorms will move through the area Wednesday into Wednesday night. There is a moderate risk (level 4 of 5) that these storms will be severe. The risks are for strong tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail. Flash flooding is also possible due to storms producing up to 2 inches of rainfall in a short amount of time. River flooding is ongoing for portions of central IL. Please refer to the latest flood statements for details. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated tonight. 25
The office that day
Everything else NWS Lincoln, IL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 16, 12:28 PM CDT | Wind Advisory | ILX | Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Clay, Coles and 21 more | 30 hr |
| Jun 16, 1:10 PM CDT | Flood Watch | ILX | Fulton, Knox, McLean, Marshall, Peoria, Stark and 2 more | 30 hr |
| Jun 16, 4:31 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Champaign, Douglas, Edgar, Vermilion | 44 min |
| Jun 16, 6:12 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Clark, Coles, Edgar | 63 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.