Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 142, NWS Lincoln, IL
NWS Lincoln, IL issued this tornado warning at Sep 20, 2026, 7:39 PM CDT for Clay County, Richland County, Illinois. It was in force for 34 min. 3 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, 7:39 PM CDT (00:39 UTC)
- Expired
- Sep 20, 2026, 8:13 PM CDT
- In force
- 34 min
- Issued by
- NWS Lincoln, IL
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.0 in
Counties Clay County, IL, Richland County, IL
The radar
The Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 63 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:42 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 20, 8:00 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 5 N Noble, IL | Power pole with lines leaning over North Passport Road about 45 degree angle. Some tree branches blown down. |
| Sep 20, 8:08 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 2 Ne Noble, IL | Some trees and branches blown down along highway 250 northeast of Noble. Corn flattened. |
| Sep 20, 8:10 PM CDT | TSTM WND GST 64 | 1 Sw Olney Noble Airpor, IL | AWOS station KOLY Olney Noble AP Station Elevation: 471 ft. |
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 00:00Z, 0.7 hours before the alert went out and 165 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
- 145 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -90 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 739 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 27 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -2 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 49 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- -0.2
The text
As transmitted.
981
WFUS53 KILX 210039
TORILX
ILC025-159-210130-
/O.NEW.KILX.TO.W.0142.260921T0039Z-260921T0130Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
739 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2026
The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Richland County in southeastern Illinois...
Northeastern Clay County in south central Illinois...
* Until 830 PM CDT.
* At 739 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Sailor Springs, or 10 miles northeast 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 745 PM CDT.
Noble and Olney Noble Airport around 755 PM CDT.
Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include
Olney.
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 3875 8841 3886 8838 3869 8791 3857 8791
3857 8811
TIME...MOT...LOC 0039Z 299DEG 26KT 3880 8837
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
252 follow-up statements
017
WWUS53 KILX 210100
SVSILX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
800 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2026
ILC025-210109-
/O.CAN.KILX.TO.W.0142.000000T0000Z-260921T0130Z/
Clay-
800 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN CLAY COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
&&
LAT...LON 3860 8806 3872 8829 3873 8828 3873 8826
3881 8826 3881 8825 3869 8791 3857 8791
TIME...MOT...LOC 0059Z 295DEG 23KT 3875 8822
$$
ILC159-210130-
/O.CON.KILX.TO.W.0142.000000T0000Z-260921T0130Z/
Richland-
800 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
RICHLAND COUNTY...
At 759 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Olney Noble Airport, or 7 miles west of Olney,
moving southeast at 25 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...
Olney, Noble, and Olney Noble Airport around 805 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Calhoun.
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 3860 8806 3872 8829 3873 8828 3873 8826
3881 8826 3881 8825 3869 8791 3857 8791
TIME...MOT...LOC 0059Z 295DEG 23KT 3875 8822
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
25225
WWUS53 KILX 210113
SVSILX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
813 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2026
ILC159-210123-
/O.CAN.KILX.TO.W.0142.000000T0000Z-260921T0130Z/
Richland-
813 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL RICHLAND COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Lincoln.
&&
LAT...LON 3860 8806 3872 8829 3873 8828 3873 8826
3881 8826 3881 8825 3869 8791 3857 8791
TIME...MOT...LOC 0111Z 299DEG 26KT 3870 8810
$$
25What 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 49 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 49 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 47 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
In the hours before
Local storm report, Sep 20, 7:06 PM CDT, 33 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
706 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0628 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 N Newton 39.02N 88.16W
09/20/2026 Jasper IL Broadcast Media
Wind blew some debris into a field. Photo
provided.
&&Local storm report, Sep 20, 7:12 PM CDT, 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
712 PM CDT Sun Sep 20 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0703 PM Funnel Cloud 1.5 NE Edgewood 38.94N 88.64W
09/20/2026 Effingham IL Trained Spotter
Trained spotter saw a funnel cloud northeast
of Edgewood near I-57.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Lincoln, IL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 20, 7:27 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Crawford, Lawrence | 33 min |
| Sep 20, 10:27 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILX | Coles, Cumberland, Shelby | 63 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.