Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 110, NWS Lincoln, IL

June 17, 2026Christian County, Shelby County, Illinois

NWS Lincoln, IL issued this tornado warning at Jun 17, 2026, 7:21 PM CDT for Christian County, Shelby County, Illinois. It was in force for 22 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
Jun 17, 2026, 7:21 PM CDT (00:21 UTC)
Expired
Jun 17, 2026, 7:43 PM CDT
In force
22 min
Issued by
NWS Lincoln, IL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.5 in

Counties Christian County, IL, Shelby County, IL

The radar

The Lincoln radar (KILX), 88 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:26 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 tornado 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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jun 17, 2:14 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC11 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 00:00Z, 0.4 hours before the alert went out and 88 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 2026-06-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 611 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 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 2026-06-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 109 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 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
611 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-58 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
895 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
70 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
109 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
166 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.6
Supercell composite
3.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

995 
WFUS53 KILX 180021
TORILX
ILC021-173-180100-
/O.NEW.KILX.TO.W.0110.260618T0021Z-260618T0100Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
721 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southeastern Christian County in central Illinois...
  Central Shelby County in central Illinois...

* Until 800 PM CDT.

* At 721 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Owaneco, or near Pana, moving east at 45 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball 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...
  Pana around 725 PM CDT.
  Tower Hill around 735 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include
Shelbyville.

This also includes Eagle Creek State Park, Hidden Springs State
Forest, and Wolf Creek State Park.
 
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 3934 8914 3935 8914 3935 8930 3949 8929
      3953 8872 3952 8871 3952 8865 3929 8864
TIME...MOT...LOC 0021Z 270DEG 37KT 3940 8920 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN

$$

NMA
2 follow-up statements
661 
WWUS53 KILX 180038
SVSILX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
738 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

ILC021-180048-
/O.CAN.KILX.TO.W.0110.000000T0000Z-260618T0100Z/
Christian-
738 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN CHRISTIAN COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

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

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for central
Illinois.

&&

LAT...LON 3951 8895 3953 8872 3952 8871 3952 8865
      3929 8864 3932 8897
TIME...MOT...LOC 0038Z 270DEG 37KT 3940 8897 

$$

ILC173-180100-
/O.CON.KILX.TO.W.0110.000000T0000Z-260618T0100Z/
Shelby-
738 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
SHELBY COUNTY...

At 738 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Tower Hill, or near Pana, moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball 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...
  Shelbyville around 745 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Wolf
Creek State Park, Clarksburg, Westervelt, and Lakewood.

This also includes Eagle Creek State Park, Hidden Springs State
Forest, and Wolf Creek State Park.
 
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 3951 8895 3953 8872 3952 8871 3952 8865
      3929 8864 3932 8897
TIME...MOT...LOC 0038Z 270DEG 37KT 3940 8897 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN

$$

NMA
388 
WWUS53 KILX 180043
SVSILX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
743 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

ILC173-180053-
/O.CAN.KILX.TO.W.0110.000000T0000Z-260618T0100Z/
Shelby-
743 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL SHELBY COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been
cancelled. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and a
Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area.  However,
small hail and gusty winds are still possible with this thunderstorm.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for central
Illinois.

&&

LAT...LON 3951 8895 3953 8872 3952 8871 3952 8865
      3929 8864 3932 8897
TIME...MOT...LOC 0041Z 270DEG 37KT 3940 8890 

$$

NMA

What 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, 6:29 PM CDT, 52 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, 6:29 PM CDT, 52 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
629 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 /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 629 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

A line of scattered but intense convection located along the
I-72 corridor will continue to gradually push east-southeast of
the terminals through about 02-04z. Convective impacts will be
greatest at SPI, DEC, and CMI, where brief LIFR vsbys and
variable and gusty thunderstorm winds are expected. Skies will
gradually clear overnight, with winds become steady from the W
to WNW around 8-12 kts. After 12z, diurnal CU with bases around
5kft will develop with steady NW around 10-15 kts.

&&

.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...WFO PAH
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 17, 3:28 PM CDT, 3 hours 53 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, 6:37 PM CDT, 44 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
637 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

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

0541 PM     Rain             1 ENE Washington        40.71N 89.39W
06/17/2026  M3.54 Inch       Tazewell           IL   Public

            Rainfall so far today in Washington.

&&

07
Local storm report, Jun 17, 6:44 PM CDT, 37 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
644 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

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

0200 PM     Rain             Astoria                 40.23N 90.36W
06/17/2026  M1.98 Inch       Fulton             IL   Mesonet

            Rainfall so far today.

&&
Local storm report, Jun 17, 6:50 PM CDT, 31 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
650 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

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

0650 PM     Rain             NWS Lincoln             40.15N 89.34W
06/17/2026  M1.97 Inch       Logan              IL   Official NWS Obs

            Rainfall since this Wednesday morning
            Station Elevation: 586 ft.

&&

07
Local storm report, Jun 17, 7:10 PM CDT, 11 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
710 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

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

0700 PM     Hail             Charleston              39.48N 88.18W
06/17/2026  M1.75 Inch       Coles              IL   Public

&&

RAC
Local storm report, Jun 17, 7:11 PM CDT, 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
711 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

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

0649 PM     Hail             2 SW Humboldt           39.58N 88.35W
06/17/2026  M2.75 Inch       Coles              IL   Storm Chaser

&&

RAC
Local storm report, Jun 17, 7:17 PM CDT, 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
717 PM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026

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

0628 PM     Hail             Arthur                  39.72N 88.47W
06/17/2026  M1.75 Inch       Douglas            IL   Public

&&

RAC

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 17, 7:07 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedConsiderable damage threatILXClark, Coles, Edgar53 min
Jun 17, 7:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXMacon, Moultrie, Piatt32 min
Jun 17, 7:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXChristian, Douglas, Moultrie, Shelby49 min
Jun 17, 7:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXEffingham, Shelby39 min
Jun 17, 7:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXClark, Coles, Edgar45 min
Jun 17, 7:49 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatILXClark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Effingham, Jasper56 min
Jun 17, 7:51 PM CDTTornado WarningILXCumberland, Effingham, Jasper, Shelby39 min
Jun 17, 8:14 PM CDTTornado WarningILXClark12 min
Jun 17, 8:21 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedConsiderable damage threatILXCumberland, Jasper39 min
Jun 17, 8:38 PM CDTTornado WarningILXClark, Crawford52 min
Jun 17, 8:54 PM CDTTornado WarningILXEffingham51 min
Jun 17, 8:56 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningILXPiatt7 days
Jun 17, 9:12 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXClark, Coles, Douglas, Edgar48 min
Jun 17, 9:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXJasper23 min
Jun 17, 10:02 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryILXMacon, Moultrie9 hr
Jun 17, 10:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXClay, Effingham27 min
Jun 17, 10:35 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXClark, Crawford, Cumberland, Jasper28 min
Jun 17, 10:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXClay, Effingham, Jasper, Richland42 min
Jun 17, 11:38 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILXCrawford, Lawrence39 min
Jun 18, 2:47 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningILXFulton, Knox18 hr

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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.