Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 134, NWS Lincoln, IL

July 27, 2026Vermilion County, Illinois

NWS Lincoln, IL issued this tornado warning at Jul 27, 2026, 6:07 PM CDT for Vermilion County, Illinois. It was in force for 38 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: Jul 27, 2026, 6:07 PM CDT (23:07 UTC)
Expired: Jul 27, 2026, 6:45 PM CDT
In force: 38 min
Issued by: NWS Lincoln, IL
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 2.0 in

County Vermilion County, IL

The radar

The Indianapolis radar (KIND), 136 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:06 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
Jul 27, 6:14 PM CDT	TORNADO	1 Wnw Hoopeston, IL	Video evidence from storm spotters showed that a tornado briefly touched down 1 mile west of IL-1 and about 100 yards south of Thompson Street. A power pole and a street sign were leaning in the immediate vicinity of the tornado.

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 7 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
Jul 27, 1:39 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 11.1 hours before the alert went out and 82 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 3689 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -49 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 801 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 43 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 127 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 158 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.7
Supercell composite: 4.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

844 
WFUS53 KILX 272307
TORILX
ILC183-272345-
/O.NEW.KILX.TO.W.0134.260727T2307Z-260727T2345Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
607 PM CDT Mon Jul 27 2026

The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northeastern Vermilion County in east central Illinois...

* Until 645 PM CDT.

* At 607 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Hoopeston, moving south at 30 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and hail up to two inches in diameter.

  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...
  Hoopeston around 610 PM CDT.
  Rossville around 620 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 4020 8775 4049 8776 4049 8763 4036 8753
      4025 8753
TIME...MOT...LOC 2307Z 341DEG 25KT 4051 8770 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN

$$

Copple

3 follow-up statements

085 
WWUS53 KILX 272314
SVSILX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
614 PM CDT Mon Jul 27 2026

ILC183-272345-
/O.CON.KILX.TO.W.0134.000000T0000Z-260727T2345Z/
Vermilion-
614 PM CDT Mon Jul 27 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN VERMILION COUNTY...

At 614 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Hoopeston, moving
south at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and two inch hail.

SOURCE...Broadcast media confirmed tornado.

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 tornado will be near...
  Rossville around 620 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Bismarck, Alvin, and Henning.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. 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 4020 8775 4049 8776 4049 8763 4036 8753
      4025 8753
TIME...MOT...LOC 2314Z 341DEG 25KT 4046 8768 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN

$$

Copple

662 
WWUS53 KILX 272327
SVSILX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
627 PM CDT Mon Jul 27 2026

ILC183-272345-
/O.CON.KILX.TO.W.0134.000000T0000Z-260727T2345Z/
Vermilion-
627 PM CDT Mon Jul 27 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN VERMILION COUNTY...

At 627 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Rossville, or near Hoopeston, moving south at 30
mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

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 tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
northeastern Vermilion County, including the following locations...
Bismarck, Alvin, and Henning.

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 4021 8770 4049 8771 4049 8763 4036 8753
      4025 8753
TIME...MOT...LOC 2327Z 341DEG 25KT 4037 8764 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Copple

191 
WWUS53 KILX 272344
SVSILX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
644 PM CDT Mon Jul 27 2026

ILC183-272354-
/O.EXP.KILX.TO.W.0134.000000T0000Z-260727T2345Z/
Vermilion-
644 PM CDT Mon Jul 27 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN VERMILION COUNTY WILL EXPIRE
AT 645 PM CDT...

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.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for
east central Illinois.

&&

LAT...LON 4021 8770 4049 8771 4049 8763 4036 8753
      4025 8753
TIME...MOT...LOC 2344Z 341DEG 25KT 4027 8759 

$$

Copple

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 Jul 27, 2:18 PM CDT, 3 hours 49 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Oppressive heat and humidity continues through early evening with heat indices peaking between 105 and 115 degrees.
Multiple thunderstorm complexes will move across IL this afternoon/evening, presenting a conditional threat for severe weather. Damaging winds (60-70+ mph gusts) and heavy rains are a risk especially in eastern and southeastern IL this afternoon and early evening.
A cold front will bring relief from the high heat and humidity on Tuesday, transitioning us back to near normal temperatures and humidity levels during mid week.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 27, 2:18 PM CDT, 3 hours 49 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
218 PM CDT Mon Jul 27 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Oppressive heat and humidity continues through early evening
  with heat indices peaking between 105 and 115 degrees.

- Multiple thunderstorm complexes will move across IL this
  afternoon/evening, presenting a conditional threat for severe
  weather. Damaging winds (60-70+ mph gusts) and heavy rains
  are a risk especially in eastern and southeastern IL this
  afternoon and early evening.

- A cold front will bring relief from the high heat and humidity on
  Tuesday, transitioning us back to near normal temperatures
  and humidity levels during mid week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 218 PM CDT Mon Jul 27 2026

Outside of the storm risk today, it has been very hot and humid
today. Heat indices have been around 100-105 so far but still have
time to increase to about 115 degrees in some spots. The Extreme
Heat Warning continues until tonight at 9 pm. If thunderstorms
materialize and move in during the afternoon and early evening, it
would cool temps/heat indices and would likely end the heat
headlines earlier than 9 pm. Beyond today, temperatures become more
seasonable and less humid with highs in the 80s and lows in the 60s
through next week.

Today's forecast has been a doozy. The models haven't been of the
greatest assistance recently with this round of convection. We have
an Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) for areas near and north of a Henry
to Marshall line and a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) elsewhere for
today. Primarily this risk is for damaging winds, potentially
stronger than 70 mph, but there is also a 2% tornado risk for the
area within the Enhanced Risk.

Our 12z sounding shows MUCAPE over 5500 J/kg, effective shear of ~50
knots, and PWATs of nearly 2 inches. A shortwave is pulsing through
this afternoon across Illinois and Indiana, based off GFS 500 mb
vorticity. The storms currently over the Chicago-Land area may clip
eastern IL as it drops south into Indiana and they are evolving into
a damaging wind threat as it transitions to a linear mode rather
than supercellular. It is starting to trend towards areas west of I-
55 may not see any of the severe threat today. There may be some
showers/storms that direction but it looks like the main show will
remain east of I-55 this afternoon/evening. An additional wave may
move behind it that will also drop south, potentially riding the
IL/IN border, but could possibly be weaker in strength, based off
the HRRR. The HRRR's 16z and 17z runs are picking up the active
convection well. The storms should have exited by 10 pm tonight.
Storms will be moving to the south-southeast at 30-40 mph this
afternoon/evening.

The next chance for showers and thunderstorms comes in on Friday
into Saturday as a shortwave moves through the area.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 1233 PM CDT Mon Jul 27 2026

VFR conditions are expected through the 18z period. There is a
chance for strong storms later this afternoon into the evening
hours. Confidence in the location and timing of the storms is
low so opted for the PROB30 group for 21-01z. Heavy rain will be
accompanying any storms, so lowered visibility is possible if
they move through. The winds will be veering throughout the
period, becoming northerly by the morning.

&&

.ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Extreme Heat Warning until 9 PM CDT this evening for
ILZ027>031-036>038-040>057-061>063-066>068-071>073.

&&

KEY MESSAGES...Copple
DISCUSSION...Copple
AVIATION...Copple

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 27, 2:26 PM CDT, 3 hours 41 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
226 PM CDT Mon Jul 27 2026

ILZ027>031-036>038-040>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-281930-
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-
226 PM CDT Mon Jul 27 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Heat index values of 105 to 115 degrees will continue into this
evening, then ease overnight.

Scattered storms are expected across portions of east central
Illinois east of I-57 with isolated storms possible west of I-57.
A few storms will be capable of producing wind gusts in excess of 70
mph. Isolated large hail and a brief tornado are also possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected from Thursday night into
Saturday. The severe weather threat appears low at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and evening.

Expected storm motion is toward the southeast around 35 mph.

Deubelbeiss

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 27, 4:26 PM CDT, 1 hour 41 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
426 PM CDT Mon Jul 27 2026

ILZ051>053-272200-
Sangamon-Macon-Christian-
426 PM CDT Mon Jul 27 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN CHRISTIAN...
NORTHEASTERN SANGAMON AND SOUTHWESTERN MACON COUNTIES THROUGH 500 PM
CDT...

At 425 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Buffalo, or 13 miles east of Springfield, moving southeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Taylorville, Rochester, Riverton, Kincaid, Blue Mound, Edinburg,
Stonington, Illiopolis, Niantic, Mechanicsburg, Dawson, Buffalo,
Mount Auburn, Jeisyville, Spaulding, Clear Lake, Willeys, Sharpsburg,
Taylorville Municipal Airport, and Langleyville.

This includes Interstate 72 between mile markers 105 and 128.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3984 8959 3993 8941 3992 8940 3992 8921
      3966 8903 3949 8935
TIME...MOT...LOC 2125Z 324DEG 32KT 3984 8942

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Copple

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jul 26, 9:30 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	ILX	Lawrence	15 min
Jul 26, 9:46 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ILX	Lawrence	15 min
Jul 26, 10:00 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	ILX	Lawrence	15 min
Jul 26, 10:15 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	ILX	Lawrence	15 min
Jul 27, 2:02 AM CDT	Heat Advisory	ILX	Clark, Edgar, Vermilion	9 hr
Jul 27, 2:24 AM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	ILX	Effingham	4 hr
Jul 27, 2:31 AM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	ILX	Clay	3 hr
Jul 27, 2:50 AM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	ILX	Clay	5 hr
Jul 27, 4:12 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ILX	Clay	33 min
Jul 27, 5:01 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ILX	Clay, Effingham, Jasper	44 min
Jul 27, 6:27 AM CDT	Areal Flood Warning	ILX	Effingham	3 hr
Jul 27, 7:11 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ILX	Cumberland	14 min
Jul 27, 3:58 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ILX	Logan, Menard, Sangamon	29 min
Jul 27, 4:26 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	ILX	Christian	34 min
Jul 27, 5:17 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ILX	Edgar, Vermilion	43 min
Jul 27, 5:45 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	ILX	Vermilion	60 min
Jul 27, 6:13 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ILX	Clark, Edgar	62 min
Jul 27, 6:42 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ILX	Clark, Crawford	48 min
Jul 27, 6:44 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ILX	Vermilion	31 min
Jul 27, 6:59 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	ILX	Clark, Edgar	3 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Illinois, 2026 Every tornado warning in 2026 Tornadoes 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.