Alert archive / Illinois / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 367, NWS Lincoln, IL

August 15, 20267 counties in Illinois

NWS Lincoln, IL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 15, 2026, 3:43 AM CDT for 7 counties in Illinois. It was in force for 62 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
Aug 15, 2026, 3:43 AM CDT (08:43 UTC)
Expired
Aug 15, 2026, 4:45 AM CDT
In force
62 min
Issued by
NWS Lincoln, IL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Cass County, IL, Fulton County, IL, Mason County, IL, Menard County, IL, Morgan County, IL, Schuyler County, IL, Tazewell County, IL

The radar

The Lincoln radar (KILX), 95 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 08:46 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 00:00Z, 8.7 hours before the alert went out and 157 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 2026-08-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1237 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 00:00Z on 2026-08-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 167 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
1237 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-137 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
748 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
25 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
167 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
197 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
1.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

989 
WUUS53 KILX 150843
SVRILX
ILC017-057-125-129-137-169-179-150945-
/O.NEW.KILX.SV.W.0367.260815T0843Z-260815T0945Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
343 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026

The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Western Menard County in central Illinois...
  Fulton County in west central Illinois...
  Southwestern Tazewell County in central Illinois...
  Cass County in west central Illinois...
  Schuyler County in west central Illinois...
  Mason County in central Illinois...
  Northern Morgan County in west central Illinois...

* Until 445 AM CDT.

* At 343 AM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from near Lewistown to near Rushville, moving east at 40
  mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

* Severe thunderstorms will be near...
  Lewistown, St. David, and Browning around 350 AM CDT.
  Havana and Bath around 355 AM CDT.

Other locations in the path of these severe thunderstorms include
Chandlerville, Manito, Kilbourne, Easton, Green Valley and Mason
City.

This includes Interstate 72 between mile markers 71 and 73.
 
This also includes Anderson Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Jim
Edgar Panther Creek Fish and Wildlife Area, Rice Lake State Fish and
Wildlife Area, Sand Ridge State Forest, Spring Lake State Fish and
Wildlife Area, and Sanganois State Fish and Wildlife Area.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4028 9066 4028 9045 4058 9044 4047 8948
      3990 8997 3990 8999 3987 8999 3973 9011
      3982 9057 3987 9059 3997 9051 3999 9052
      3998 9060 4003 9061 4002 9063 4005 9068
      4008 9067 4008 9070 4011 9071 4011 9077
TIME...MOT...LOC 0843Z 278DEG 33KT 4045 9017 4009 9049 

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

$$

Copple
3 follow-up statements
142 
WWUS53 KILX 150916
SVSILX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
416 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026

ILC017-057-125-129-137-169-179-150945-
/O.CON.KILX.SV.W.0367.000000T0000Z-260815T0945Z/
Menard-Fulton-Tazewell-Cass-Schuyler-Mason-Morgan-
416 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 AM CDT
FOR WESTERN MENARD...SOUTHERN FULTON...SOUTHWESTERN TAZEWELL...
CASS...SOUTHEASTERN SCHUYLER...MASON AND NORTHERN MORGAN COUNTIES...

At 416 AM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from Manito to near Chandlerville, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

These severe storms will be near...
  Manito, Green Valley, Easton, and Kilbourne around 420 AM CDT.
  Mason City around 430 AM CDT.

Other locations impacted by these severe thunderstorms include
Bryant, Prentice, Topeka, Liverpool, Frederick, Bluff City, Chatauqua
Park, Concord, Atterberry, and Snicarte.

This also includes Anderson Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Jim
Edgar Panther Creek Fish and Wildlife Area, Sand Ridge State Forest,
and Sanganois State Fish and Wildlife Area.
 
This includes Interstate 72 between mile markers 71 and 73.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3990 8997 3990 8999 3987 8999 3973 9011
      3982 9057 3987 9059 3997 9051 3999 9052
      4048 9022 4042 8952
TIME...MOT...LOC 0916Z 278DEG 33KT 4041 8978 4005 9011 

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

$$

Copple
191 
WWUS53 KILX 150930
SVSILX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
430 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026

ILC057-169-150940-
/O.CAN.KILX.SV.W.0367.000000T0000Z-260815T0945Z/
Fulton-Schuyler-
430 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHERN FULTON AND
SOUTHEASTERN SCHUYLER COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the warned 
area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

&&

LAT...LON 3990 8997 3990 8999 3987 8999 3973 9011
      3979 9044 4045 8990 4042 8952
TIME...MOT...LOC 0930Z 270DEG 33KT 4039 8963 4003 8996 

$$

ILC017-125-129-137-179-150945-
/O.CON.KILX.SV.W.0367.000000T0000Z-260815T0945Z/
Menard-Tazewell-Cass-Mason-Morgan-
430 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 AM CDT
FOR WESTERN MENARD...SOUTHWESTERN TAZEWELL...EASTERN CASS...MASON AND
NORTHEASTERN MORGAN COUNTIES...

At 430 AM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from Green Valley to near Petersburg, moving east at 40
mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

These severe storms will be near...
  Mason City around 435 AM CDT.

Other locations impacted by these severe thunderstorms include
Prentice, Topeka, Oakford, Jacksonville Municipal Airport, Concord,
Atterberry, Forest City, Philadelphia, and Goofy Ridge.

This also includes Jim Edgar Panther Creek Fish and Wildlife Area and
Sand Ridge State Forest.
 
This includes Interstate 72 between mile markers 71 and 73.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3990 8997 3990 8999 3987 8999 3973 9011
      3979 9044 4045 8990 4042 8952
TIME...MOT...LOC 0930Z 270DEG 33KT 4039 8963 4003 8996 

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

$$

Copple
913 
WWUS53 KILX 150939
SVSILX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
439 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026

ILC017-125-129-137-179-150949-
/O.EXP.KILX.SV.W.0367.000000T0000Z-260815T0945Z/
Menard-Tazewell-Cass-Mason-Morgan-
439 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR WESTERN MENARD...SOUTHWESTERN
TAZEWELL...EASTERN CASS...MASON AND NORTHEASTERN MORGAN COUNTIES WILL
EXPIRE AT 445 AM CDT...

The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.  However, gusty
winds and heavy rain are still possible with these thunderstorms.

&&

LAT...LON 3990 8997 3990 8999 3987 8999 3973 9011
      3979 9044 4045 8990 4042 8952
TIME...MOT...LOC 0939Z 270DEG 33KT 4038 8955 4002 8988 

$$

Copple

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 Aug 15, 2:20 AM CDT, 1 hour 23 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • There is flash flooding ongoing across portions of central Illinois this morning, where thunderstorms track over areas that have already seen 4-6 inches of rain since Thursday. Areas north of a Havana to Bloomington line are most at risk.
  • Storms have the potential to produce damaging winds today and tomorrow. SPC has a marginal (level 1 of 5) risk of severe weather for the weekend.
  • The heat and humidity remain a concern for the weekend, with the hottest conditions in the southern half of the state.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 15, 2:20 AM CDT, 1 hour 23 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
220 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- There is flash flooding ongoing across portions of central
  Illinois this morning, where thunderstorms track over areas
  that have already seen 4-6 inches of rain since Thursday.
  Areas north of a Havana to Bloomington line are most at risk.

- Storms have the potential to produce damaging winds today and
  tomorrow. SPC has a marginal (level 1 of 5) risk of severe
  weather for the weekend.

- The heat and humidity remain a concern for the weekend, with
  the hottest conditions in the southern half of the state.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 220 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026

Tonight, storms are moving across central IL. There is a low risk
(but non-zero) for damaging winds within these storms, but the main
concern is the flash flooding risk. WPC has areas near and north of
I-72 in a moderate risk (level 3 of 4) for excessive rainfall for
the overnight hours. The 00z sounding shows the environment having
PWATs of 2.2-2.4 inches. Over the last few days, this area has
gotten 3-6 inches of rain, with some locally higher amounts. The
storms passing through tonight are expected to drop another 2-5
inches with the LPMM suggesting some localized pockets of up to 10
inches. Flash flood guidance seems a bit generous (too high). If the
pockets of higher rain set up over where the ground is already
extremely saturated, flash flooding is likely.

For the remainder of the day after this morning round of convection
exits about 15-16z, there is a marginal risk for severe weather for
additional activity that will move through. It will be very similar
to what has happened over the last few days. The next round of MCS
activity will move into central IL by late evening and will continue
into the overnight hours. The main concern will be damaging winds
and the heavy rain potential.

There is another marginal risk for severe weather again tomorrow for
areas south of a Schuyler to McLean County line with a similar
environment in place as previous days. The forecast will continue to
evolve as we get newer runs of the models.

Temperatures remain hot and humid. The heat advisory for south of I-
70 is valid through Sunday. Heat indices of 100-110 degrees are
forecast through Sunday, but how far north these heat indices get
will depend solely on the convection location. Like yesterday for
example, the convection lingered further south longer than forecast,
so heat indices struggled to hit triple digits.

Next week may bring us a brief break in the active weather and the
heat briefly. A high pressure area will set up over the Upper
Mississippi Valley / Great Lakes region by Monday, behind a cold
front that will move through central IL during the day. Temperatures
starting Monday into much of the next week will be mainly in the
upper 70s to 80s for highs and 60s to low 70s for lows.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 1223 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026

Thunderstorms are moving across portions of central Illinois during
the early overnight hours and expected to continue into Saturday
morning before exiting east of the area. MVFR/IFR ceilings currently
in place north of the terminals will sink south to along the I-74
corridor overnight, but confidence is currently low that it will
reach as far south as SPI/DEC. Areas that do drop are expected to
improve back to VFR early to mid Saturday afternoon as winds veer to
SWerly.

&&

.ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch until 10 AM CDT this morning for ILZ027>031-
036>038-040-041-043>046-055-057.
Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT Sunday for ILZ066>068-071>073.

&&

KEY MESSAGES...Copple
DISCUSSION...Copple
AVIATION...Deubelbeiss
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 14, 3:00 PM CDT, 12 hours 43 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
300 PM CDT Fri Aug 14 2026

ILZ027>031-036>038-040>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-151100-
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-
300 PM CDT Fri Aug 14 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Widespread thunderstorm activity is likely tonight, mainly north of
I-72. Locally strong to severe storms and flash flooding are
possible.

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

Hot and humid conditions will peak over the area this weekend. Peak
afternoon heat indices will range from 103 to 112 Saturday, and 100
to 105 Sunday.

Daily chances for thunderstorms exist through the weekend, mainly
north of I-70 for Saturday. Some of these storms could be severe and
produce heavy rain.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed after midnight.

37

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 15, 1:46 AM CDT, 1 hour 57 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
146 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026

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

0144 AM     Flash Flood      Tremont                 40.53N 89.49W
08/15/2026                   Tazewell           IL   Public

            6 inches of water flowing over E Pearl
            Street.

&&

RAC
Local storm report, Aug 15, 2:12 AM CDT, 1 hour 31 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
212 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026

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

0209 AM     Flash Flood      3 WNW Mackinaw          40.56N 89.40W
08/15/2026                   Tazewell           IL   Public

            Allentown Road about a mile west of
            Allentown is flooded over.

&&

RAC
Local storm report, Aug 15, 2:32 AM CDT, 1 hour 11 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
232 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026

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

0224 AM     Flash Flood      2 ESE Bloomington       40.47N 88.96W
08/15/2026                   McLean             IL   911 Call Center

            Vehicle stalled in flood waters, road is
            impassable at Oakland Ave/Four Seasons Rd
            and Prospect Rd / Grandview Dr.

&&

RAC
Local storm report, Aug 15, 2:52 AM CDT, 51 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
252 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026

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

0244 AM     Flash Flood      1 ENE Bloomington       40.49N 88.97W
08/15/2026                   McLean             IL   911 Call Center

            Vehicle stalled in floodwater, road is
            impassable.

&&

RAC
Local storm report, Aug 15, 2:54 AM CDT, 49 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
254 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026

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

0252 AM     Flash Flood      Minier                  40.43N 89.31W
08/15/2026                   Tazewell           IL   Broadcast Media

            Water entering basement egress window at a
            home in Minier.

&&

RAC
Local storm report, Aug 15, 3:24 AM CDT, 19 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
324 AM CDT Sat Aug 15 2026

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

0318 AM     Flash Flood      Fisher                  40.32N 88.35W
08/15/2026                   Champaign          IL   Broadcast Media

            Reports of basements flooding in Fisher.

&&

RAC

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 14, 11:56 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningILXFulton, Knox, Mason, Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford7 hr
Aug 15, 1:09 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningILXMcLean6 hr
Aug 15, 1:23 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXFulton, Mason67 min
Aug 15, 1:51 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXFulton24 min
Aug 15, 2:19 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningILXMcLean5 hr
Aug 15, 2:23 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXPeoria, Tazewell38 min
Aug 15, 2:36 AM CDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatILXMcLean6 hr
Aug 15, 3:23 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningILXChampaign5 hr
Aug 15, 3:54 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningILXVermilion4 hr
Aug 15, 4:29 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementILXLogan, Menard, Sangamon31 min
Aug 15, 5:33 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryILXMorgan3 hr
Aug 15, 5:48 AM CDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatILXChampaign, Vermilion8 hr
Aug 15, 6:24 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementILXChampaign, Piatt, Vermilion36 min
Aug 15, 6:37 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningILXFulton, Knox, Mason, Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford27 hr
Aug 15, 7:33 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningILXMcLean65 min
Aug 15, 7:40 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningILXMcLean26 hr
Aug 15, 8:04 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningILXMcLean5 hr
Aug 15, 8:38 AM CDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatILXMcLean4 hr
Aug 15, 10:11 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningILXCass, Fulton, Mason13 days
Aug 15, 10:12 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningILXBrown, Cass, Morgan, Schuyler14 days
Aug 15, 10:19 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningILXPiatt7 days
Aug 15, 12:40 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningILXMcLean21 hr
Aug 15, 1:40 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningILXChampaign, Vermilion46 hr
Aug 15, 1:46 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningILXMcLean, Tazewell, Woodford20 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.