Alert archive / Illinois / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 313, NWS Lincoln, IL

July 3, 2026Sangamon County, Illinois

NWS Lincoln, IL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 3, 2026, 10:33 PM CDT for Sangamon County, Illinois. It was in force for 42 min. 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
Jul 3, 2026, 10:33 PM CDT (03:33 UTC)
Expired
Jul 3, 2026, 11:15 PM CDT
In force
42 min
Issued by
NWS Lincoln, IL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

County Sangamon County, IL

The radar

The Lincoln radar (KILX), 48 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:33 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
Jul 3, 10:42 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG2 Ene Farmingdale, ILTree down 4 miles west of KSPI.
Jul 3, 10:45 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG2 Sw Capital Airport, ILTree down near 97/125 junction in Springfield. Relayed via broadcast media.
Jul 3, 10:55 PM CDTTSTM WND GST 61Capital Airport, ILASOS station KSPI Spfld Capital AP.
Jul 3, 11:04 PM CDTTSTM WND DMG1 Sw Sherman, ILTree down on Georgetowne Rd.

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 4 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 nearest sounding before it

Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 00:00Z, 3.6 hours before the alert went out and 104 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 00:00Z on 2026-07-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2545 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 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 00:00Z on 2026-07-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 41 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
2545 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-2 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1364 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
24 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
41 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
82 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
2.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

260 
WUUS53 KILX 040333
SVRILX
ILC167-040415-
/O.NEW.KILX.SV.W.0313.260704T0333Z-260704T0415Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1033 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northwestern Sangamon County in central Illinois...

* Until 1115 PM CDT.

* At 1033 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near New Berlin,
  or 12 miles west of Springfield, moving northeast at 35 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* This severe thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
  northwestern Sangamon County, including the following locations...
  Salisbury, Cantrall, Berlin, and Curran.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 55 between mile markers 102 and 110.
 Interstate 72 between mile markers 80 and 91.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Large hail, damaging wind, and continuous cloud to ground lightning
are occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is
one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder,
you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

&&

LAT...LON 3990 8984 3990 8977 3992 8977 3992 8971
      3997 8970 3997 8948 3993 8948 3966 8990
      3971 8998 3976 8999
TIME...MOT...LOC 0333Z 219DEG 29KT 3977 8988 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

25
3 follow-up statements
333 
WWUS53 KILX 040351
SVSILX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1051 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

ILC167-040415-
/O.CON.KILX.SV.W.0313.000000T0000Z-260704T0415Z/
Sangamon-
1051 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1115 PM CDT
FOR NORTHWESTERN SANGAMON COUNTY...

At 1051 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Abraham
Lincoln Capital Airport, or near Springfield, moving northeast at 30
mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
Springfield, Sherman, Williamsville, Illinois State Fairgrounds,
Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, Curran, and Cantrall.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 55 between mile markers 102 and 110.
 Interstate 72 between mile markers 86 and 92.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading
killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to
be struck by lightning.

&&

LAT...LON 3990 8977 3992 8971 3997 8970 3997 8948
      3993 8948 3971 8982 3978 8992
TIME...MOT...LOC 0351Z 231DEG 28KT 3984 8972 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

25
373 
WWUS53 KILX 040403
SVSILX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1103 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

ILC167-040415-
/O.CON.KILX.SV.W.0313.000000T0000Z-260704T0415Z/
Sangamon-
1103 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1115 PM CDT
FOR NORTH CENTRAL SANGAMON COUNTY...

At 1102 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Sherman, or
near Athens, moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Measured wind gust of 61 mph at Capital Airport.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
Springfield, Sherman, Williamsville, Illinois State Fairgrounds,
Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, and Cantrall.

This includes Interstate 55 between mile markers 102 and 110.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading
killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to
be struck by lightning.

&&

LAT...LON 3991 8970 3997 8966 3997 8948 3993 8948
      3982 8965 3986 8974
TIME...MOT...LOC 0402Z 219DEG 29KT 3990 8964 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

25
787 
WWUS53 KILX 040415
SVSILX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1115 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

ILC167-040425-
/O.EXP.KILX.SV.W.0313.000000T0000Z-260704T0415Z/
Sangamon-
1115 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL SANGAMON COUNTY
HAS EXPIRED...

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been allowed to expire.  However, gusty
winds are still possible with this thunderstorm.

&&

LAT...LON 3991 8970 3997 8966 3997 8948 3993 8948
      3982 8965 3986 8974
TIME...MOT...LOC 0415Z 219DEG 29KT 3998 8956 

$$

Deubelbeiss

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 Jul 3, 8:25 PM CDT, 2 hours 8 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • A Heat Advisory is in effect through 7 pm Saturday for much of central and southeast IL.
  • Isolated severe storms may develop this evening. While widespread severe weather is unlikely, any storm could produce localized torrential rainfall and brief, damaging wind gusts.
  • A front will push through the region on Sunday, bringing a welcome end to the heat wave. Cooler, less humid, and dry conditions are forecast Monday through Wednesday.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 3, 8:25 PM CDT, 2 hours 8 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
825 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A Heat Advisory is in effect through 7 pm Saturday for much
  of central and southeast IL.

- Isolated severe storms may develop this evening. While
  widespread severe weather is unlikely, any storm could produce
  localized torrential rainfall and brief, damaging wind gusts.

- A front will push through the region on Sunday, bringing a
  welcome end to the heat wave. Cooler, less humid, and dry
  conditions are forecast Monday through Wednesday.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 825 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

Linear complex of storms from eastern IA into northern IL, will
shift southeast across northern portions of the ILX CWA later
this evening and overnight. The airmass ahead of the storms is
forecast to remain moderately unstable with MLCAPEs of 2000-3000
J/kg well into the overnight. Effective deep layer shear will be
marginal for severe storms around 20-25 kt. So several strong
storms and an isolated damaging wind gust or two could be seen
tonight, particularly north of I-74 in a 10 pm to 2 am window.
PWATs around 1.9" will lead to high rainfall rates up to
1-2"/hr.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 230 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

High Heat and Humidity...

The Extreme Heat Warning for CWA goes until 7 pm today with
dangerous heat indices peaking from 100-110, highest along and
southeast of a Macomb to Pontiac line where less convection has
occurred so far today. The Heat Advisory from 11 am to 7 pm on
Saturday has been expanded northward to include the rest of the
CWA except for Knox, Stark and Marshall counties. Some
convection that affected areas nw of the IL river past 1-2 hours
has cooled temps and heat indices over Knox, Stark and Marshall
counties but starting to heat back up with Galesburg heat index
up to 97F and Lacon heat index up to 96F and Heat indices may
warm back up to near 100F late this afternoon over northern 3
counties. We are forecasting highs back to around 90F to lower
90s Saturday with afternoon heat indices peaking from 100-105,
highest in southeast IL. Heat indices still around 100F in
southeast IL on Sunday afternoon while low to mid 90s from I-72
north. We may need to have another heat advisory Sunday
afternoon for southeast IL due to the duration of this heat wave
since this past Sunday June 28th.

Convective Potential & Severe Risks...

Severe Thunderstorm Watch was posted this afternoon until 7 pm
over northeast IL from LaSalle, Livingston, Ford and Iroquois
counties northeast. More widespread thunderstorms, with some
strong to potentially severe have been in northeast IL with a
few strong cells earlier passing through eastern Marshall and
northern Woodford counties between 120-2 pm with gusty winds and
possible small hail. Current radar mosaic shows isolated cells
nw of the IL river and along a St Louis to Taylorville to
Decatur to Danville line. More convection was over southern
Indiana into western KY and far southern IL. SPC day1 outlook
has marginal risk of severe storms, with slight risk north of a
Canton to Bloomington line for this afternoon and into this
evening. Primary severe wx risk is damaging winds (15%) with 5%
risk of large hail in slight risk area over northern CWA. Very
unstable airmass with ML CAPES of 3-4k j/kg while weak effective
bulk shear values less than 25 kts over all but far northern 3
counties where its 25-30 kts from Galesburg to Lacon north.

Latest CAMs show increasing convection chances into central IL
late evening and overnight while southeast IL appears to be dry
during that time frame. WPC Day 1 ERO has marginal risk of
excessive rainfall over northern/nw CWA this afternoon and
tonight with high tropical PWATs of 1.75-2 inches.

Outflow boundaries from convection going into tonight to get
further south into our CWA on Saturday and will likely see more
convection fire up along these boundaries Sat afternoon in very
unstable tropical air mass, similar to todays air mass. Some
CAMs even show some bands of convection affecting parts of CWA
Sat morning, and more convection developing and moving se Sat
afternoon/evening. SPC Day2 outlook keeps marginal risk of
severe storms over CWA on Sat for damaging winds, mainly
afternoon into mid evening. WPC Day2 ERO has marginal chance of
excessive rainfall over CWA on Sat into Sunday. Convection
chances to continue on Sunday with best chances in southeast IL
where WPC Day3 ERO has marginal chance of excessive rainfall.
SPC Day 3 outlook keeps slight and marginal risk of severe
storms se of IL and Indiana.

Next Work Week...

The cold front pushing southeast through southern IL and into nw
KY during Monday may still produce 20-30% chance of showers and
possible thunderstorms over se part of CWA, with the 30% pops in
southeast IL, se of a Danville to Shelbyville line. Cooler highs
in the low to mid 80s on Monday and still rather muggy but lower
dewpoints in the upper 60s/lower 70s. Dry weather is expected
Monday night with seasonable lows in the mid to upper 60s. We
have just slight chance of convection on Tue afternoon in
southeast IL closer to a frontal boundary lingering in nw KY and
southeast MO. GEM model appears too aggressive with a weak
upper level low/trof and its widespread showers over IL on Tue.
GFS and Ecmwf models show an upper level ridging starting to
push eastward toward the MS river valley and into IL. Seasonable
highs in the mid 80s Tue with dewpoints 65-70F. Dry weather
again Tue night into Wed morning over CWA with small chances of
convection in southeast IL Wed afternoon. Highs in the upper 80s
Wed with dewpoints in the upper 60s/lower 70s. We have chance
of showers/thunderstorms across area on Thu into Friday as
frontal boundary lifting ne from MO as warm front on Thu and
then cold front pushing se into central or nw IL on Friday.
Highs in the upper 80s to near 90F on Thu and mid to upper 80s
next Friday and muggy dewpoints 70-75F.

The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) 8-14 Day Outlook for July
11-17 has 35-40% chance of above normal temperatures over IL
with precipitation trending near normal.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 545 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

Medium confidence in two periods of scattered thunderstorms
that could affect the central IL terminals, one tonight, and
another Saturday afternoon. Confidence on any terminal being
impacted is low, so limited mention to PROB30 for both time
periods. Outside of TSRA, VFR conditions and S-SW winds
near/under 10 kt will be common.

&&

.ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Heat Advisory until 7 PM CDT Saturday for ILZ029-031-036>038-
040>057-061>063-066>068-071>073.

&&

KEY MESSAGES...07
UPDATE...25
DISCUSSION...07
AVIATION...25
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 3, 2:34 PM CDT, 7 hours 59 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
234 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

ILZ027>031-036>038-040>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-041100-
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-
234 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Heat index values will be 105 degrees through early evening today.
As a result, there is a high risk of heat-related illness in
sensitive individuals and those without access to effective cooling.

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and
evening. A few may be severe with damaging wind gusts around 60 mph,
one inch hail, and locally heavy rain.

Moderate flooding continues along portions of the Illinois River
from Havana to Beardstown.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Heat index values will peak around 100 to 103 degrees Saturday
afternoon.

Scattered thunderstorms will be possible again Saturday. There is a
low risk (5-15% chance) of scattered damaging wind gusts with the
strongest cells. In addition, a few storms will be capable of
torrential downpours and localized flash flooding.

Additional thunderstorms are possible Sunday though Thursday. The
severe weather risk looks to lower for Sunday through Tuesday, but
remains more uncertain later in the week.

Moderate flooding will continue Saturday along the Illinois River
from Havana to Beardstown, but is expected to fall into minor
flooding category over the weekend. Minor flooding continues next
week.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and evening.

Expected storm motion is toward the east-northeast around 25 mph.

37

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 3, 7:36 PM CDT, 2 hours 57 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
736 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

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

0655 PM     Rain             Flora Municipal Airport 38.66N 88.46W
07/03/2026  M1.18 Inch       Clay               IL   AWOS

            Fell in 1 hour.

0730 PM     Rain             2 W Flora               38.67N 88.52W
07/03/2026  M2.30 Inch       Clay               IL   Emergency Mngr

            Mainly fell in 20 minutes.

&&

Geelhart
Local storm report, Jul 3, 7:40 PM CDT, 2 hours 53 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
740 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

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

0735 PM     Rain             3 NW Altamont           39.09N 88.78W
07/03/2026  M1.29 Inch       Effingham          IL   Public

            Personal weather station.

0735 PM     Rain             1 NW Flora              38.67N 88.49W
07/03/2026  M1.47 Inch       Clay               IL   Public

            Personal weather station.

0737 PM     Rain             2 E Louisville          38.77N 88.47W
07/03/2026  M1.63 Inch       Clay               IL   Mesonet

            Personal weather station.

&&

Geelhart
Local storm report, Jul 3, 7:42 PM CDT, 2 hours 51 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
742 PM CDT Fri Jul 3 2026

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

0730 PM     Flash Flood      4 SE Flora              38.63N 88.43W
07/03/2026                   Clay               IL   Emergency Mngr

            Route 45 closed southeast of Flora due to
            water flowing over the road.

&&

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 3, 11:05 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXLogan, Menard40 min
Jul 3, 11:57 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXMacon, Moultrie, Shelby40 min
Jul 4, 12:37 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementILXPiatt23 min
Jul 4, 1:03 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementILXPiatt27 min
Jul 4, 2:02 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementILXLogan28 min
Jul 4, 2:16 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXDeWitt, Logan29 min
Jul 4, 2:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXVermilion63 min
Jul 4, 2:58 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementILXWoodford47 min
Jul 4, 3:05 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXMcLean, Woodford40 min
Jul 4, 3:18 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXChristian, Macon19 min
Jul 4, 3:32 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementILXMcLean43 min
Jul 4, 3:49 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryILXVermilion3 hr
Jul 4, 4:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXChampaign, Douglas27 min
Jul 4, 6:40 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementILXClark35 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.