Alert archive / Illinois / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 90, NWS Lincoln, IL
NWS Lincoln, IL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Mar 26, 2026, 6:33 PM CDT for Vermilion County, Illinois. It was in force for 14 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
- Mar 26, 2026, 6:33 PM CDT (23:33 UTC)
- Expired
- Mar 26, 2026, 6:47 PM CDT
- In force
- 14 min
- Issued by
- NWS Lincoln, IL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 50.0 mph
County Vermilion County, IL
The radar
The Chicago radar (KLOT), 140 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:32 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 watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 26, 4:15 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 11.6 hours before the alert went out and 81 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
- 19 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -506 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1391 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 53 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 453 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 425 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- -0.1
The text
As transmitted.
423 WUUS53 KILX 262333 SVRILX ILC183-270000- /O.NEW.KILX.SV.W.0090.260326T2333Z-260327T0000Z/ BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Severe Thunderstorm Warning National Weather Service Lincoln IL 633 PM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026 The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Northeastern Vermilion County in east central Illinois... * Until 700 PM CDT. * At 632 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Hoopeston, moving east at 60 mph. HAZARD...Quarter size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected. * This severe thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of northeastern Vermilion County, including the following locations... Henning and Alvin. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. && LAT...LON 4030 8783 4049 8775 4049 8753 4030 8753 TIME...MOT...LOC 2332Z 261DEG 51KT 4042 8769 HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED MAX WIND GUST...<50 MPH $$ 25
1 follow-up statement
095 WWUS53 KILX 262347 SVSILX Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Lincoln IL 647 PM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026 ILC183-262356- /O.CAN.KILX.SV.W.0090.000000T0000Z-260327T0000Z/ Vermilion- 647 PM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026 ...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN VERMILION COUNTY IS CANCELLED... The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits, and has exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for east central Illinois. To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service Lincoln. && LAT...LON 4030 8783 4049 8775 4049 8753 4030 8753 TIME...MOT...LOC 2345Z 261DEG 51KT 4045 8742 $$ 25
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 Mar 26, 6:33 PM CDT, 0 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- An Enhanced Risk for severe weather exists along and northeast of a Canton to Shelbyville line through this evening. The primary risks will be damaging wind gusts in excess of 70mph, hail larger than 2 inches in diameter, and a few tornadoes
- After record-breaking warmth today, temperatures will plunge into the middle to upper 20s by Friday night.
Area forecast discussion, Mar 26, 6:33 PM CDT, 0 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
633 PM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- An Enhanced Risk for severe weather exists along and northeast
of a Canton to Shelbyville line through this evening. The
primary risks will be damaging wind gusts in excess of 70mph,
hail larger than 2 inches in diameter, and a few tornadoes
- After record-breaking warmth today, temperatures will plunge
into the middle to upper 20s by Friday night.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 250 PM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026
Severe Weather This Evening...
19z/2pm surface analysis shows a cold front extending from
southern Lake Michigan southwestward to the Iowa/Missouri state
line. Record-breaking warmth prevails within the warm sector
with current readings in the middle to upper 80s across central
Illinois. Meanwhile north of the front, temperatures have
dropped into the 50s in northern Illinois.
19z mesoanalysis indicates MLCAPEs of 1000-1500J/kg pooling
south of the front: however, 150-200J/kg of MLCIN has thus far
capped any convective development. Visible satellite imagery is
showing a Cu field forming along/north of a Macomb to Pontiac
line...and this will be the area to watch for thunderstorm
initiation over the next 1-3 hours. While CAM timing still
varies slightly, a consistent signal from the HRRR and RRFS
suggests the first cluster of storms forming northeast of Peoria
between 21z/4pm and 22z/5pm...then tracking E/SE just north of
the I-74 corridor through 00z/7pm. Given the pool of high CAPES,
steep mid-level lapse rates, and 0-6km bulk shear of 50-60kt,
the stage will be set for rapid development once the cap is
broken immediately along the approaching boundary. The initial
storm cluster will therefore pose a very large hail risk
(potentially greater than 2 inches in diameter), as well as a
tornado risk if it remains close to the boundary as advertised.
Once the late afternoon storm cluster pushes into Indiana,
additional convection will fire further west along the trailing
cold front this evening. There will be a narrow window between
about 6pm and 10pm when favorable instability/shear profiles
will continue to support all storm hazards before daytime
instability wanes and the severe threat diminishes. It appears
the most favored location for severe this evening will be along
and near the I-72 corridor...before the storms begin to lose
their vigor as they sink southward to the I-70 by midnight or
shortly afterwards.
Sharply Falling Temperatures...
Once the cold front passes, strong N/NE winds gusting 30-35mph
will bring a much cooler airmass southward into central Illinois
tonight. Low temperatures will bottom out in the lower to middle
30s across much of the KILX CWA, with lower 40s south of I-70.
Friday will start out as a cloudy, breezy, and very chilly
day...before at least partial sunshine returns by afternoon.
Highs will only reach the upper 40s to around 50 degrees. As high
pressure builds into the region, skies will clear and winds will
become light/variable Friday night. Excellent radiational
cooling of the dry airmass will allow overnight lows to plunge
into the middle to upper 20s...which could pose a risk to tender
spring vegetation that has emerged 2-3 weeks early.
Warmer and Wetter Next Week...
After a brief chill to start the weekend, temperatures will
quickly rebound into the 60s on Sunday...then back into the 80s
by next Monday and Tuesday. The pattern will also become
decidedly more unsettled as a frontal boundary wavers in the
region for several days. While it is still too early to pinpoint
any specific severe weather risk at that time range, the
Colorado State Machine Learning algorithm is highlighting low
probabilities (5-15% chance) for severe across portions of
Illinois Monday through Thursday. The current forecast features
daily rain chances, with the greatest chance (60%) focused on
Thursday. Stay tuned to later forecasts as details become
clearer.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 632 PM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026
The initial clusters of thunderstorms associated with a passing
cold front are currently ongoing from near KBMI/KDEC eastward
to the Indiana border. Have therefore gone with thunder in the
KCMI TAF immediately. Further west, only showers are occurring:
however, all CAM guidance suggests convective development within
the next 1-3 hours. As such, have maintained predominant thunder
at all sites after 01z/02z...with a 2-3 hour window of
potentially severe thunder/hail. Models continue to show the
widespread convection sinking southward later this evening, so
have ended thunder at KPIA by 06z...then further south to the
I-72 terminals by 08z. Once the front passes, winds switch to NE
and gust 30-35kt. The gusty winds will continue through the
night and into Friday morning before gradually decreasing by
Friday afternoon. In addition, low clouds currently poised
upstream across Wisconsin/northern Illinois will spill southward
tonight. HRRR/RAP indicate MVFR ceilings arriving by mid-
evening, then lingering until about midday Friday.
&&
.CLIMATE...
Issued at 125 AM CDT Wed Mar 25 2026
Forecast temperatures on Thursday may exceed March records in
some areas.
Mar 26 Record March Record
Charleston.... 84 (1907) 89 (3/24/1929 and 3/22/2026)
Decatur....... 83 (1907) 89 (3/24/1929)
Jacksonville.. 83 (1950) 91 (3/21/1907)
Lincoln....... 83 (1991) 86 (3/29/1985 and 3/30/1986)
Normal........ 83 (2007) 88 (3/21/1907)
Olney......... 85 (1907) 89 (3/24/1910 and 3/24/1929)
Peoria........ 82 (1907/1991) 87 (3/21/1907)
Springfield... 81 (1991) 91 (3/21/1907)
Urbana........ 81 (1907) 85 (3/21/1907 and 3/24/1910)
&&
.ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Blowing Dust Advisory until 9 PM CDT this evening for ILZ036-
040>057-061>063.
&&
KEY MESSAGES...Barnes
DISCUSSION...Barnes
AVIATION...Barnes
CLIMATE...GeelhartHazardous weather outlook, Mar 26, 3:01 PM CDT, 3 hours 32 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 301 PM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026 ILZ027>031-036>038-040>057-061>063-272015- 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- 301 PM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected through late evening, with a weakening trend as they advance south of I-70 with time. The greatest risk for severe storms is in areas from about Springfield and Peoria eastward. Very large hail and damaging winds are the main concerns, though a few tornadoes are also possible through mid evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. A hard freeze is likely Friday night. Early emerging sensitive vegetation should be covered for protection. Scattered thunderstorms are possible Monday night and Tuesday. The severe weather risk appears low at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed between 4 pm and midnight. Expected storm motion is toward the east around 50 mph. ILZ066>068-071>073-272015- Effingham-Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence- 301 PM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Illinois. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Thunderstorms will begin moving into southeast Illinois later this evening, continuing past midnight. A few of these may be strong to severe, though the severe weather threat is expected to diminish with time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed after 9 pm. Expected storm motion is toward the east around 50 mph. Shimon
In the hours before
Local storm report, Mar 26, 6:05 PM CDT, 28 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
605 PM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0545 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Normal 40.51N 88.99W
03/26/2026 McLean IL Broadcast Media
Snapped power pole.
&&Local storm report, Mar 26, 6:08 PM CDT, 25 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
608 PM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0536 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Lawrenceville Airport 38.76N 87.60W
03/26/2026 M44 MPH Lawrence IL ASOS
ASOS station KLWV Lawrenceville AP.
&&Local storm report, Mar 26, 6:23 PM CDT, 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
623 PM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0619 PM Hail 2 W Fisher 40.31N 88.39W
03/26/2026 E1.25 Inch Champaign IL Public
Report from mPING: Half Dollar (1.25 in.).
&&Local storm report, Mar 26, 6:24 PM CDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
624 PM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0621 PM Hail Fisher 40.32N 88.35W
03/26/2026 M1.75 Inch Champaign IL Broadcast Media
Golf ball size hail reported in Fisher from
a viewer.
&&Local storm report, Mar 26, 6:25 PM CDT, 8 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
625 PM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0621 PM Hail 1 W Fisher 40.31N 88.36W
03/26/2026 E0.75 Inch Champaign IL Public
Report from mPING: Dime (0.75 in.).
&&Local storm report, Mar 26, 6:27 PM CDT, 6 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
627 PM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0625 PM Hail 2 N Danville 40.17N 87.63W
03/26/2026 M1.50 Inch Vermilion IL Broadcast Media
Ping pong size hail from a viewer on north
side of Danville by the lake.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Lincoln, IL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 26, 4:49 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | McLean | 40 min |
| Mar 26, 5:15 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Champaign, Vermilion | 60 min |
| Mar 26, 5:19 PM CDT | Blowing Dust Advisory | ILX | Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Coles, Cumberland and 16 more | 4 hr |
| Mar 26, 5:35 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | McLean | 39 min |
| Mar 26, 6:02 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Champaign, Vermilion | 43 min |
| Mar 26, 6:17 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Champaign | 23 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.