Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 29, NWS Paducah, KY

April 27, 2026Edwards County, Wabash County, Wayne County, Illinois

NWS Paducah, KY issued this tornado warning at Apr 27, 2026, 9:26 PM CDT for Edwards County, Wabash County, Wayne County, Illinois. It was in force for 34 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
Apr 27, 2026, 9:26 PM CDT (02:26 UTC)
Expired
Apr 27, 2026, 10:00 PM CDT
In force
34 min
Issued by
NWS Paducah, KY
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.0 in

Counties Edwards County, IL, Wabash County, IL, Wayne County, IL

The radar

The Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 46 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:29 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
Apr 27, 12:50 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC9 hr
Apr 27, 2:46 PM CDTTornado Watch PDSSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 00:00Z, 2.4 hours before the alert went out and 183 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 2026-04-28Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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 2026-04-28The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -1 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1082 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
76 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-1 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-57 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

856 
WFUS53 KPAH 280226
TORPAH
ILC047-185-191-280300-
/O.NEW.KPAH.TO.W.0029.260428T0226Z-260428T0300Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Paducah KY
926 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northeastern Wayne County in south central Illinois...
  Northwestern Wabash County in southeastern Illinois...
  Northern Edwards County in southeastern Illinois...

* Until 1000 PM CDT.

* At 926 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located 10 miles east of Cisne, or 12 miles northeast of
  Fairfield, moving east at 50 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...
  West Salem around 930 PM CDT.
  Lancaster around 940 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Mount
Erie.

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 8815 3857 8815 3857 8777 3850 8777
      3845 8832 3860 8832
TIME...MOT...LOC 0226Z 261DEG 43KT 3853 8825 

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

$$

SP
1 follow-up statement
607 
WWUS53 KPAH 280249
SVSPAH

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
949 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

ILC191-280258-
/O.CAN.KPAH.TO.W.0029.000000T0000Z-260428T0300Z/
Wayne IL-
949 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN WAYNE 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 1100 PM CDT for southeastern
Illinois. A Tornado Watch also remains in effect until 500 AM CDT for
southeastern Illinois.

&&

LAT...LON 3852 8801 3856 8802 3857 8777 3850 8777
      3848 8800 3849 8801
TIME...MOT...LOC 0248Z 264DEG 46KT 3853 8790 

$$

ILC047-185-280300-
/O.CON.KPAH.TO.W.0029.000000T0000Z-260428T0300Z/
Wabash IL-Edwards IL-
949 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN WABASH AND NORTHEASTERN EDWARDS COUNTIES...

At 948 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Lancaster, or 10 miles northwest of Mount Carmel,
moving east at 55 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 tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
northwestern Wabash and northeastern Edwards Counties.

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 3852 8801 3856 8802 3857 8777 3850 8777
      3848 8800 3849 8801
TIME...MOT...LOC 0248Z 264DEG 46KT 3853 8790 

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

$$

SP

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 Paducah, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Apr 27, 6:37 PM CDT, 2 hours 49 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • A significant severe weather event will impact the Quad State this afternoon into tonight. Elevated isolated supercells this morning that are capable of producing large hail will become surface based this afternoon. Strong tornadoes, very large hail, and damaging winds will all be possible. Discrete storms grow upscale into a line tonight with damaging winds and embedded strong tornadoes.
  • Breezy conditions will continue through this afternoon with wind gusts between 25-35 mph. There is a 40-50% chance wind gusts briefly reach 40 mph.
  • Another round of severe weather is possible late Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday evening. Very large hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes are the hazards of concern. There is a 60-70% chance of total 48 hour rainfall of 2 inches or more. Localized flash flooding issues are possible.
  • Temperatures trend near to slightly below normal Wednesday into next weekend. Most of the period is dry, but a 20-30% chance of light rain showers return on Friday.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 27, 6:37 PM CDT, 2 hours 49 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Paducah KY
637 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A significant severe weather event will impact the Quad State
  this afternoon into tonight. Elevated isolated supercells
  this morning that are capable of producing large hail will
  become surface based this afternoon. Strong tornadoes, very
  large hail, and damaging winds will all be possible. Discrete
  storms grow upscale into a line tonight with damaging winds
  and embedded strong tornadoes.

- Breezy conditions will continue through this afternoon with
  wind gusts between 25-35 mph. There is a 40-50% chance wind
  gusts briefly reach 40 mph.

- Another round of severe weather is possible late Tuesday
  afternoon into Tuesday evening. Very large hail, damaging
  winds, and isolated tornadoes are the hazards of concern.
  There is a 60-70% chance of total 48 hour rainfall of 2
  inches or more. Localized flash flooding issues are possible.

- Temperatures trend near to slightly below normal Wednesday
  into next weekend. Most of the period is dry, but a 20-30%
  chance of light rain showers return on Friday.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 637 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

Updated aviation section for 00z TAF issuance.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1112 AM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

Elevated convection is ongoing across the Quad State this morning,
with isolated supercells that have been producing large hail. As the
back edge of the MCS lifts more northeast, destabilization will
quickly occur with an influx of higher dewpoints near 70 degrees
pushing northward across the Missouri Bootheel. The air mass
recovery by this afternoon quickly translates to 2500 to 3500 J/kg
of SBCAPE and 7.5 to 8.0 C/km mid-level lapse rates. Combined
with 300-400 m2/s2 of 0-3km SRH and STP values of 3.0-6.0,
strong EF3+ tornadoes, large hail over 2 inches, and damaging
wind gusts over 60 mph will all be possible. The storm mode this
afternoon will be more discrete with the HRRR showing a cluster
of supercells developing. As a meso low near STL lifts
northeast this evening, the winds at the sfc become more backed,
especially in SPCs 15% tornado risk that clips portions of
southeast Missouri and southern Illinois.

While the ongoing convection has always been the greatest
uncertainty with the forecast, model consensus continues to
remain strong for the storm mode to transition to line segments
this evening with convection rapidly growing upscale into a
QLCS. This is when the highest damaging wind risk will occur
with DCAPE over 1200 J/kg. Embedded strong tornadoes also remain
likely with sfc-1 km shear around 30-35 kts. Instability begins
to drop off as storms move into southwest Indiana and the
western Kentucky Pennyrile, allowing for some weakening into the
overnight hours.

Breezy conditions are expected outside of thunderstorms through this
afternoon with a 40-50% chance of wind gusts briefly reaching 40 mph
locally. Most gusts however should remain in the 25-35 mph range.
Given the brief duration, have decided to hold off on issuing a Wind
Advisory as the impacts will be subtle compared to the severe
weather that will impact most of the FA.

The potential for another round of severe weather continues to
increase on Tuesday as another wave moves trough with a stalled
frontal boundary. The CAMs show a MCS pushing across southeast
Missouri and western Kentucky Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday
evening. The thermodynamics support damaging wind and very large
hail with 1500 to 2500 J/kg of SBCAPE and mid-level lapse rates
between 8.0-9.0 C/km. The tornado risk will be more isolated with
lower intensity compared to today, but 15 kts of sfc-1 km shear will
be enough to support a few spin ups. If the boundary shifts more
north and convection trends slower, convection would overlap with
the better 40 kt LLJ in the evening to support a higher risk.

Due to the potential for training convection, the risk of localized
Flash Flooding has increased with another 3 rounds of thunderstorms
expected through Tuesday evening. Total 48 hour rainfall is forecast
between 1.5 to 3.5 inches, with a 60-70% chance of 2 or more inches.
Given the ongoing drought conditions, flooding issues will be more
prone to the typical urban and low-lying locations that are more
sensitive with PWATs around 1.5 inches.

Dry and much cooler conditions return on Wednesday with a broad
trough aloft settling over the Ohio Valley. Daily slightly below
normal high temperatures range from the mid 60s to near 70
through Friday before trending warmer closer to normal next
weekend. There remains a 20-30% chance of light rain showers on
Friday. The GEFS is further north with a low pressure system
that tracks over the lower Mississippi River Valley with QPF
between 0.10 to 0.25 inches. Meanwhile, the EPS and GEPS keeps
this system more suppressed with very little rainfall. A dry
weekend then follows as sfc high pressure builds in.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 637 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

Shra/tsra possible at all TAF sites through 07z, and some
strong to severe storms with gusty winds and hail are possible
between mainly 02z-07z. MVFR/IFR conditions possible with
storms. Away from storms and through the TAF period, VFR
conditions expected with cigs between 3500-9000, becoming SCT
after 08-11z. Winds from the south to southwest at 10-20kts
with gusts to 25-30kts will become northwest at 5-12kts after
08z, with decreasing speeds through the night. Shra/tsra return
very late in the TAF period at KCGI/KPAH.

&&

.PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IL...None.
MO...None.
IN...None.
KY...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...DW
AVIATION...RST
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 27, 11:22 AM CDT, 10 hours 4 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1122 AM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087-
100-107>112-114-281630-
Jefferson-Wayne IL-Edwards-Wabash-Perry IL-Franklin-Hamilton-
White-Jackson-Williamson-Saline-Gallatin-Union-Johnson-Pope-
Hardin-Alexander-Pulaski-Massac-Gibson-Pike-Posey-Vanderburgh-
Warrick-Spencer-Fulton-Hickman-Carlisle-Ballard-McCracken-Graves-
Livingston-Marshall-Calloway-Crittenden-Lyon-Trigg-Caldwell-
Union KY-Webster-Hopkins-Christian-Henderson-Daviess-McLean-
Muhlenberg-Todd-Perry MO-Bollinger-Cape Girardeau-Wayne MO-Carter-
Ripley-Butler-Stoddard-Scott-Mississippi-New Madrid-
1122 AM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026 /1222 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern
Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast
Missouri.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Scattered to numerous severe storms are expected this afternoon
into tonight. Very large hail, greater than golfball size, strong
tornadoes, and damaging winds will be possible. The greatest
threat seems to be in southeast Missouri and southern Illinois
this evening.

Any storm today and tonight will produce torrential rainfall. A
flash flood threat could develop in areas that receive multiple
storms.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

Numerous strong to severe storms are expected Tuesday afternoon
into Tuesday evening. Very large hail and damaging winds will be
the main concerns, but a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out.
Torrential rainfall could lead to an isolated flash flood threat.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is needed throughout the Quad State this
afternoon into tonight. Activation throughout the region may be
needed again Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday evening.

DW

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 27, 7:06 PM CDT, 2 hours 20 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
706 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

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

0536 PM     Hail             2 W Browns              38.38N 88.02W
04/27/2026  E1.25 Inch       Edwards            IL   Public

&&
Special weather statement, Apr 27, 7:40 PM CDT, 1 hour 46 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
740 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

MOZ100-107-108-280145-
Carter MO-Wayne MO-Ripley MO-
740 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS APPROACHING CARTER...RIPLEY AND WESTERN
WAYNE COUNTIES THROUGH 845 PM CDT...

At 738 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of severe
thunderstorms along a line extending from 7 miles northwest of
Eminence to near Gainesville. Movement was east at 45 mph.

These storms have a history of very large hail and conditions remain
supportive for tornadoes and damaging wind.

On their current track these storms would approach...
Fremont around 820 PM CDT.
  Van Buren around 825 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by these storms include Grandin, Mill
Spring, and Briar.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor local radio stations and available television stations for
additional information and possible warnings from the National
Weather Service.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for southeastern
Missouri.

&&

LAT...LON 3709 9122 3710 9096 3705 9096 3705 9078
      3714 9078 3717 9074 3727 9073 3727 9055
      3732 9055 3732 9038 3693 9051 3692 9068
      3681 9066 3681 9063 3668 9063 3667 9059
      3650 9065 3650 9112 3682 9112 3683 9122
TIME...MOT...LOC 0038Z 266DEG 39KT 3723 9146 3655 9238

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

JGG
Local storm report, Apr 27, 9:13 PM CDT, 13 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
913 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

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

0912 PM     Hail             4 E Brewer              37.78N 89.86W
04/27/2026  E0.25 Inch       Perry              MO   Public

&&

BM
Local storm report, Apr 27, 9:17 PM CDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
917 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

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

0912 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 N Perryville          37.74N 89.87W
04/27/2026  M35 MPH          Perry              MO   Fire Dept/Rescue

&&

BM
Local storm report, Apr 27, 9:18 PM CDT, 8 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
918 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

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

0916 PM     Hail             1 SE Mount Vernon       38.30N 88.90W
04/27/2026  M0.50 Inch       Jefferson          IL   Public

            Report from mPING: Half-inch (0.50 in.).

&&

BM
Local storm report, Apr 27, 9:23 PM CDT, 3 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
923 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

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

0920 PM     Hail             2 ENE Mount Vernon      38.33N 88.87W
04/27/2026  E1.00 Inch       Jefferson          IL   Broadcast Media

&&

The office that day

Everything else NWS Paducah, KY issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 27, 8:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHJefferson, Perry64 min
Apr 27, 8:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHJefferson, Wayne60 min
Apr 27, 8:56 PM CDTTornado WarningPAHWayne34 min
Apr 27, 9:05 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHFranklin, Jackson, Perry55 min
Apr 27, 9:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHEdwards, Hamilton, Wabash, Wayne, White67 min
Apr 27, 9:28 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHJackson47 min
Apr 27, 9:52 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatPAHJackson, Williamson38 min
Apr 27, 10:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHFranklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Saline, White51 min
Apr 27, 10:21 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryPAHEdwards, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Perry, Wabash and 2 more96 min
Apr 27, 10:58 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementPAHGallatin, Hardin47 min
Apr 27, 11:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHHardin, Pope41 min
Apr 27, 11:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPAHMassac, Pope51 min
Apr 28, 11:26 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningPAHGallatin, Wabash, White8 days
Apr 28, 11:52 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningPAHAlexander6 days

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.