Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 141, NWS Lincoln, IL

September 20, 2026Clay County, Effingham County, Illinois

NWS Lincoln, IL issued this tornado warning at Sep 20, 2026, 6:59 PM CDT for Clay County, Effingham County, Illinois. It was in force for 46 min. 2 reports 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
Sep 20, 2026, 6:59 PM CDT (23:59 UTC)
Expired
Sep 20, 2026, 7:45 PM CDT
In force
46 min
Issued by
NWS Lincoln, IL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

Counties Clay County, IL, Effingham County, IL

The radar

The Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 102 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:03 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Sep 20, 7:03 PM CDTFUNNEL CLOUD1.5 Ne Edgewood, ILTrained spotter saw a funnel cloud northeast of Edgewood near I-57.
Sep 20, 7:30 PM CDTTSTM WND DMGBible Grove, ILA few medium size tree branches blown down in Bible Grove. Reports of power outages from media in Bible Grove.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

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 nearest sounding before it

Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 12.0 hours before the alert went out and 141 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 12:00Z on 2026-09-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 627 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 12:00Z on 2026-09-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -154 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
627 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-81 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
839 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
44 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-154 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-104 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
-0.3
Supercell composite
-1.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

713 
WFUS53 KILX 202359
TORILX
ILC025-049-210045-
/O.NEW.KILX.TO.W.0141.260920T2359Z-260921T0045Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
659 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2026

The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northern Clay County in south central Illinois...
  Southwestern Effingham County in south central Illinois...

* Until 745 PM CDT.

* At 658 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over Edgewood, or 14 miles southwest of Effingham,
  moving southeast at 35 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 dangerous storm will be near...
  Edgewood and Mason around 705 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include
Bible Grove and Sailor Springs.

This includes Interstate 57 between mile markers 142 and 150.
 
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 3884 8870 3891 8870 3891 8881 3892 8881
      3905 8872 3891 8836 3886 8836 3885 8835
      3871 8836
TIME...MOT...LOC 2358Z 298DEG 29KT 3893 8869 

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

$$

25
2 follow-up statements
850 
WWUS53 KILX 210016
SVSILX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
716 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2026

ILC049-210026-
/O.CAN.KILX.TO.W.0141.000000T0000Z-260921T0045Z/
Effingham-
716 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN EFFINGHAM COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3885 8863 3892 8860 3891 8838 3891 8836
      3886 8836 3885 8835 3871 8836
TIME...MOT...LOC 0016Z 303DEG 28KT 3888 8854 

$$

ILC025-210045-
/O.CON.KILX.TO.W.0141.000000T0000Z-260921T0045Z/
Clay-
716 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM CDT FOR NORTHERN
CLAY COUNTY...

At 716 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Bible Grove, or 14 miles north of Flora, moving
southeast 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 dangerous storm will be near...
  Bible Grove around 720 PM CDT.
  Sailor Springs around 730 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Hord.

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 3885 8863 3892 8860 3891 8838 3891 8836
      3886 8836 3885 8835 3871 8836
TIME...MOT...LOC 0016Z 303DEG 28KT 3888 8854 

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

$$

25
707 
WWUS53 KILX 210029
SVSILX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
729 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2026

ILC025-210045-
/O.CON.KILX.TO.W.0141.000000T0000Z-260921T0045Z/
Clay-
729 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN CLAY COUNTY...

At 729 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Bible Grove, or 11 miles north of Flora, moving
southeast at 30 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...
  Sailor Springs around 735 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Hord.

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 3883 8855 3891 8853 3891 8836 3886 8836
      3885 8835 3872 8836
TIME...MOT...LOC 0029Z 299DEG 26KT 3883 8845 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

25

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 Sep 20, 5:50 PM CDT, 1 hour 9 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • A Marginal Risk (level 1 of 5) of severe weather exists near and south of the I-72 corridor today. The primary risk will be isolated strong wind gusts during the afternoon and early evening.
  • Much cooler weather will be on tap this week as high temperatures drop into the 60s everywhere north of I-70 Monday through Wednesday.
Area forecast discussion, Sep 20, 5:50 PM CDT, 1 hour 9 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
550 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A Marginal Risk (level 1 of 5) of severe weather exists near
  and south of the I-72 corridor today. The primary risk will
  be isolated strong wind gusts during the afternoon and early
  evening.

- Much cooler weather will be on tap this week as high
  temperatures drop into the 60s everywhere north of I-70
  Monday through Wednesday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 215 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2026

NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/

Latest surface observation network and mesonet analysis show an
effective surface boundary positioned along the I-70 corridor
early this afternoon. A distinct thermal gradient exists across
the front, with temperatures north of the boundary holding in
the upper 70s to near 80 F, while warm sector air to the south
has warmed into the mid to upper 80s. Moisture profiles remain
relatively uniform across the zone, with little dewpoint air-
mass contrast observed.

Regional radar mosaic reveals widely scattered showers
continuing near and just north of the surface boundary, driven
primarily by gentle isentropic ascent overriding the frontal
slope. Visible satellite imagery shows an agitated cumulus field
expanding near a differential heating boundary. Peaks of
sunshine are generating modest destabilization this afternoon,
with MLCAPE values climbing around 1500 J/kg. This instability
overlaps a favorable kinematic environment featuring roughly 35
kt of 0-6 km bulk shear, enhanced by a 500 mb speed maximum
rounding the larger synoptic trough axis overhead.

This parameter space supports isolated organized updrafts
capable of producing a few marginally severe storms through the
late afternoon. High-resolution CAM guidance (including recent
runs of the HRRR and RRFS) continues to hint at isolated
convective development north of the effective boundary likely
focused along a local differential heating boundary and
triggered by subtle mid-level shortwaves. Trends on satellite
and radar will be monitored closely for convective initiation
across central and southeastern portions of the forecast area.

By tonight, precipitation coverage is expected to expand along
and north of the surface front. Strengthening low-level jet
(LLJ) convergence and additional shortwave impulse arrivals will
impinge on the sharpening baroclinic zone. Guidance points to
the highest coverage of showers and embedded convection
targeting areas south of I-72 through early Monday morning.

SHORT TERM /MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/

Rain showers will gradually diminish from west to east Monday
morning as the low-level jet recedes, and forcing from the
departing shortwave pushes toward the upper Ohio Valley.

In the wake of this wave, a cooler and drier air mass will
build across central Illinois as high pressure settles beneath a
broader split-flow blocking regime aloft. However, a cutoff or
weak upper-level low meandering within the split flow across the
Mid-Mississippi Valley will keep weather conditions slightly
unsettled. Daily forecast trends through Wednesday afternoon
will need to account for periods of cloudiness, low-end
shower/sprinkle chances, and potentially localized cold-air
funnel activity given the cold pocket aloft and light surface
winds under the upper trough. High temperatures throughout the
early to mid-week period will remain seasonably cool, topping
out near or just below 70F with overnight lows falling into the
low to mid-50s.

LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/

The stubborn upper-level trough finally kicks eastward by
Thursday, allowing a broader upper-level ridge to build across
the Midwest and Great Lakes region. Upper-level heights will
rise through late week, effectively suppressing lingering
precipitation potential and yielding sustained fair weather into
the weekend. Temperatures will gradually moderate under the
building ridge, keeping conditions comfortable with highs near
seasonal averages.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 550 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2026

IFR ceilings have overspread KPIA-KBMI late this afternoon, and
will continue expanding south to affect KCMI-KDEC-KSPI over the
next few hours. These ceilings should persist through much of
Monday, with a 60-80% chance they rise to low MVFR category
after 18z. After a lull in precip for much of the evening,
another wave will spread northeast after 05z, with short range
guidance showing this reaching as far north as the I-72
corridor. Went with PROB30 TSRA groups for KSPI-KDEC-KCMI
overnight, and will monitor trends as this develops. Northeast
winds at 08-14 kt will be persistent through the forecast.

&&

.ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

KEY MESSAGES...MJA
DISCUSSION...MJA
AVIATION...25
Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 20, 2:52 PM CDT, 4 hours 7 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
252 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2026

ILZ027>031-036>038-040>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-211200-
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-
252 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Periodic showers and thunderstorms are expected across central
Illinois late this afternoon and tonight. Some of the storms could
produce locally heavy rain that results in flooding of low lying and
poor drainage areas. A few strong to severe storms are possible
mainly along and south of I-72/Danville. Damaging wind gusts will be
the primary hazard.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed later this afternoon and evening.

Expected storm motion is toward the east around 30 mph.

Auten

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.