Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 102, NWS Lincoln, IL
NWS Lincoln, IL issued this tornado warning at Jun 17, 2026, 5:11 PM CDT for 4 counties in Illinois. It was in force for 21 min. 1 report 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 17, 2026, 5:11 PM CDT (22:11 UTC)
- Expired
- Jun 17, 2026, 5:32 PM CDT
- In force
- 21 min
- Issued by
- NWS Lincoln, IL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.0 in
Counties Christian County, IL, Macon County, IL, Moultrie County, IL, Shelby County, IL
The radar
The Lincoln radar (KILX), 64 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:12 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 17, 5:27 PM CDT | TORNADO | 4 Wsw Bethany, IL | EF-1, max winds 100 mph, path length 3.37 miles, width 75 yards. The tornado touched down about 4 miles southwest of Bethany in northeast Christian County where it snapped a softwood tree trunk and removed large branches from hardwood trees. It continued east, |
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 one storm report to this tornado warning; the first came 16 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 17, 2:14 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 11 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 10.2 hours before the alert went out and 66 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
- 2139 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 41 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 138 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 239 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
687
WFUS53 KILX 172211
TORILX
ILC021-115-139-173-172245-
/O.NEW.KILX.TO.W.0102.260617T2211Z-260617T2245Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
511 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026
The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Northeastern Christian County in central Illinois...
Western Moultrie County in central Illinois...
North central Shelby County in central Illinois...
South central Macon County in central Illinois...
* Until 545 PM CDT.
* At 511 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Moweaqua, or 14 miles southwest of Decatur, moving
east at 60 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.
* This dangerous storm will be near...
Moweaqua around 515 PM CDT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3964 8914 3970 8914 3965 8892 3966 8881
3953 8881
TIME...MOT...LOC 2211Z 284DEG 50KT 3967 8905
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
NMA1 follow-up statement
115
WWUS53 KILX 172232 RRB
SVSILX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
532 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026
ILC021-115-139-173-172242-
/O.CAN.KILX.TO.W.0102.000000T0000Z-260617T2245Z/
Christian-Moultrie-Shelby-Macon-
532 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN CHRISTIAN...WESTERN
MOULTRIE...NORTH CENTRAL SHELBY AND SOUTH CENTRAL MACON COUNTIES IS
CANCELLED...
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for central
Illinois.
&&
LAT...LON 3964 8914 3970 8914 3965 8892 3966 8881
3953 8881
TIME...MOT...LOC 2231Z 284DEG 50KT 3960 8867
$$
NMAWhat forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this tornado 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 tornado warning went out at Jun 17, 3:16 PM CDT, 1 hour 55 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- A Tornado Watch is in effect until 10pm CDT for locations along and south of a Macomb to Chenoa line. All severe hazards are possible...with the greatest probability for strong tornadoes focusing south of a Springfield to Paris line.
- Quiet weather will prevail Thursday through Saturday...with the next chance for thunderstorms arriving by Sunday.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 17, 3:16 PM CDT, 1 hour 55 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 316 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - A Tornado Watch is in effect until 10pm CDT for locations along and south of a Macomb to Chenoa line. All severe hazards are possible...with the greatest probability for strong tornadoes focusing south of a Springfield to Paris line. - Quiet weather will prevail Thursday through Saturday...with the next chance for thunderstorms arriving by Sunday. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 316 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026 19z/2pm mesoanalysis shows an outflow boundary left behind by the morning convection along a Quincy...to Litchfield...to Salem line. This is considerably further south than previously thought: therefore the most significant risk for widespread severe weather later this afternoon and evening has shifted south as well. As such, the new Tornado Watch coordinated with SPC does not include the far northern KILX CWA from the Peoria area northward. MLCAPEs are currently under 1000J/kg: however, as the boundary mixes slowly northward this afternoon, the RAP suggests MLCAPEs will increase into the 1500-2000J/kg along/southeast of a Quincy to Champaign line over the next couple of hours. Impressive wind fields aloft are contributing to very strong 0-6km bulk shear of 60-80kt...while 0-1km shear values remain in the 30-40kt range. Given marginal instability and extreme shear, am expecting supercell thunderstorms to rapidly develop along/ahead of a slowly advancing cold front across the Illinois River Valley imminently. All severe hazards will be in play...including damaging wind gusts in excess of 70mph, hail larger than golf balls, and tornadoes. The Significant Tornado Parameter (STP) is currently maximized closer to the outflow boundary from central/northern Missouri across south-central Illinois, but is progged to lift northward later this afternoon/evening. At this time, it appears the highest probability of potentially strong tornadoes will focus along/south of a Springfield to Paris line. Thunderstorms are currently developing in a band from Galesburg/Rushville eastward to Pontiac/Champaign. CAMs have generally sped up the development process, as well as the gradual S/SE movement of the band. As a result, think the primary severe risk will be focused along the I-72 corridor between 4pm and 6pm, then will sink toward I-70 by 7pm to 9pm. The primary line of convection will exit the far SE KILX CWA around midnight: however, a few showers may linger further north throughout the evening into the first part of the overnight. A short-wave trough will bring a period of mid-level cloudiness to central Illinois Thursday morning, with forecast soundings suggesting the potential for a few light rain showers mostly along/south of a Rushville to Robinson line where slight chance PoPs (20%) are warranted. Once this wave departs, a return to cool and mostly dry weather will be on tap for Friday and Saturday. The next significant chance for precipitation will hold off until late Saturday night into Sunday as a stronger short-wave trough traverses the Plains and approaches from the west. Given better deep-layer moisture and strong forcing, think showers and thunderstorms will become widespread. The severe weather risk remains uncertain at this time, with several machine learning algorithms such as Colorado State and NSSL keeping the greatest probabilities further south. A few NCAR members do however suggest 15-30% probs northward into central Illinois, so will need to keep an eye on mesoscale details as the time nears. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/... Issued at 1247 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026 Convection is ongoing across central Illinois early this afternoon: however, 1740z/1240pm radar imagery shows the back edge of the precip along a KGBG to KSPI line. Based on radar/satellite trends, it appears the terminals will see a couple hour break as the afternoon progresses before a final line of thunderstorms forms from the Iowa/Missouri border eastward into the area after 19z/20z. Following the latest HRRR/RAP solution closely, have highlighted thunder with visbys down to 1 mile at KPIA between 19z and 21z...then further south to the I-72 sites between 22z and 00z. Once the convective line settles further south, scattered showers will remain possible until early evening. After that, am expecting skies to become mostly clear through much of the evening before a layer of mid-level clouds AOA 15,000ft spreads across the area by Thursday morning. Winds are highly variable at the moment due to ongoing storms, but will become southeasterly this afternoon...then westerly this evening as a cold front passes. && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch until 10 PM CDT this evening for ILZ027>031- 036>038. Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for ILZ040>057- 061>063-066>068-071>073. && KEY MESSAGES...Barnes DISCUSSION...Barnes AVIATION...Barnes
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 17, 3:28 PM CDT, 1 hour 43 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 328 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026 ILZ036>038-040>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-181100- 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- 328 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois, southeast Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...Tonight. A broken line of thunderstorms capable of all severe hazards will settle southward through central Illinois late this afternoon and evening. The strongest cells within the line will have the potential to produce tornadoes, damaging wind gusts in excess of 70mph, and hail large than golf balls. The highest probability for strong tornadoes will focus along and south of a Springfield to Paris line. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Thunderstorms will develop across the area late Saturday night into Sunday. At this time it appears the severe weather risk will remain low. River flooding is ongoing for portions of central Illinois. Please refer to the latest flood statements for details. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will be needed through 10pm this evening. Expected storm motion is toward the east at 60-70mph. ILZ027>031-181100- Knox-Stark-Peoria-Marshall-Woodford- 328 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...Tonight. A few strong to severe thunderstorms capable of damaging wind gusts and large hail will track across north-central Illinois late this afternoon. The storms will drop south of the Peoria area by early evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Thunderstorms will develop across the area late Saturday night into Sunday. At this time it appears the severe weather risk will remain low. River flooding is ongoing for portions of central Illinois. Please refer to the latest flood statements for details. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed through 5pm this afternoon. Expected storm motion is toward the east at 60-70mph. Barnes
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jun 17, 4:53 PM CDT, 18 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
453 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0445 PM Flash Flood 5 SSE Bloomington 40.41N 88.96W
06/17/2026 McLean IL Emergency Mngr
Photo of flooded roadway at 1600E and 900N
south of Bloomington and south of I-74.
&&
07Local storm report, Jun 17, 4:58 PM CDT, 13 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
458 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0415 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Petersburg 40.01N 89.85W
06/17/2026 Menard IL Law Enforcement
Photos of wind damage at Hand of Fate
Brewery Building in Petersburg.
&&Local storm report, Jun 17, 5:02 PM CDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
502 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0458 PM Flash Flood 1 NW Downs 40.41N 88.89W
06/17/2026 McLean IL Emergency Mngr
Photos of flooding at 19052 country road 850
North located northwest of Downs.
&&Local storm report, Jun 17, 5:07 PM CDT, 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
507 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0450 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 NE Clinton 40.20N 88.89W
06/17/2026 De Witt IL Emergency Mngr
Photos of transmission poles blown down at
Prairie Center and Drive In roads.
&&Local storm report, Jun 17, 5:08 PM CDT, 3 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
508 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0415 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Petersburg 40.01N 89.85W
06/17/2026 Menard IL Law Enforcement
Photo of Ameren Roof damage at 6th and
Sheridan streets in Petersburg.
&&Local storm report, Jun 17, 5:11 PM CDT, 0 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
511 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0446 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 E Dawson 39.86N 89.42W
06/17/2026 Sangamon IL Emergency Mngr
Power Poles and trees blown down on highway
36 est of Dawson.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Lincoln, IL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 17, 8:14 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Fulton, Knox, Peoria, Stark | 61 min |
| Jun 17, 9:03 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Fulton, Marshall, Peoria, Stark, Tazewell, Woodford | 57 min |
| Jun 17, 9:11 AM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ILX | Knox | 3 hr |
| Jun 17, 9:45 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Logan, Mason, Menard, Sangamon | 60 min |
| Jun 17, 9:54 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | McLean, Woodford | 66 min |
| Jun 17, 10:09 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | DeWitt, Macon, Moultrie, Piatt | 66 min |
| Jun 17, 10:58 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | ILX | Marshall, Putnam | 11 days |
| Jun 17, 2:53 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | DeWitt, Fulton, Logan, McLean, Mason, Tazewell | 50 min |
| Jun 17, 2:55 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | McLean, Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford | 31 min |
| Jun 17, 3:41 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | DeWitt, Logan, McLean, Tazewell | 3 hr |
| Jun 17, 3:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | DeWitt, Logan, McLean, Macon, Piatt | 41 min |
| Jun 17, 3:50 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | McLean, Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford | 3 hr |
| Jun 17, 3:50 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Cass, Logan, Mason, Menard, Sangamon | 55 min |
| Jun 17, 3:52 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | DeWitt, Logan, McLean, Mason, Tazewell | 26 min |
| Jun 17, 3:57 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Cass, Christian, Logan, Mason, Menard, Sangamon | 63 min |
| Jun 17, 4:08 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Champaign, DeWitt, Douglas, Macon, Piatt | 31 min |
| Jun 17, 4:14 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Fulton, Mason, Tazewell | 28 min |
| Jun 17, 4:19 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | Champaign, DeWitt, McLean, Piatt | 3 hr |
| Jun 17, 4:19 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Logan, Menard, Sangamon | 41 min |
| Jun 17, 4:23 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | DeWitt, Logan, Macon | 52 min |
| Jun 17, 4:29 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Cass, Fulton, Mason, Schuyler | 61 min |
| Jun 17, 4:42 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Christian, Logan, Menard, Sangamon | 19 min |
| Jun 17, 4:49 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Christian, DeWitt, Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, Sangamon and 1 more | 56 min |
| Jun 17, 4:54 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Christian, Macon | 38 min |
| Jun 17, 5:05 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Logan, Menard, Sangamon | 40 min |
| Jun 17, 5:14 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | DeWitt, Logan, Macon | 26 min |
| Jun 17, 5:18 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Cass, Morgan, Scott | 38 min |
| Jun 17, 5:21 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Champaign, Douglas, Piatt | 39 min |
| Jun 17, 5:23 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, Shelby | 30 min |
| Jun 17, 5:26 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Logan, Mason, Menard, Sangamon | 34 min |
| Jun 17, 5:43 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Christian, Logan, Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, Sangamon and 1 more | 44 min |
| Jun 17, 5:46 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Coles, Douglas | 44 min |
| Jun 17, 6:09 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Clark, Edgar | 53 min |
| Jun 17, 6:11 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | Christian, Logan, Macon, Menard, Moultrie, Sangamon | 4 hr |
| Jun 17, 6:16 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | Champaign, Piatt, Vermilion | 4 hr |
| Jun 17, 6:18 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Coles, Douglas, Moultrie, Piatt | 42 min |
| Jun 17, 6:33 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Morgan, Sangamon, Scott | 45 min |
| Jun 17, 6:40 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILX | Clark, Coles, Douglas, Edgar | 3 hr |
| Jun 17, 6:44 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Coles, Cumberland, Douglas | 46 min |
| Jun 17, 6:46 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Coles, Cumberland | 29 min |
| Jun 17, 6:47 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | ILX | Christian, Sangamon | 43 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Illinois, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes 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.