Alert archive / Illinois / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 55, NWS Paducah, KY
NWS Paducah, KY issued this tornado warning at Jun 21, 2026, 8:30 PM CDT for Franklin County, Jefferson County, Perry County, Illinois. It was in force for 18 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
- Jun 21, 2026, 8:30 PM CDT (01:30 UTC)
- Expired
- Jun 21, 2026, 8:48 PM CDT
- In force
- 18 min
- Issued by
- NWS Paducah, KY
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
Counties Franklin County, IL, Jefferson County, IL, Perry County, IL
The radar
The Paducah radar (KPAH), 111 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:34 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 21, 8:32 PM CDT | FUNNEL CLOUD | 3 N Saint Johns, IL | Funnel cloud reported north of Du Quoin by trained spotter. |
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 watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 21, 1:28 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 9 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 00:00Z, 1.5 hours before the alert went out and 241 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
- 43 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -35 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 643 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 58 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 194 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 223 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
932
WFUS53 KPAH 220130
TORPAH
ILC055-081-145-220215-
/O.NEW.KPAH.TO.W.0055.260622T0130Z-260622T0215Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Paducah KY
830 PM CDT Sun Jun 21 2026
The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southeastern Perry County in south central Illinois...
Southwestern Jefferson County in south central Illinois...
Northwestern Franklin County in south central Illinois...
* Until 915 PM CDT.
* At 830 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Du Quoin, moving east at 20 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...
Christopher, Rend Lake Area, Sesser, and Valier around 835 PM CDT.
West City around 845 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include St.
Johns, North City, and Buckner.
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 3795 8929 3813 8927 3813 8892 3796 8897
TIME...MOT...LOC 0130Z 274DEG 17KT 3804 8919
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
DW2 follow-up statements
710
WWUS53 KPAH 220138
SVSPAH
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
838 PM CDT Sun Jun 21 2026
ILC145-220148-
/O.CAN.KPAH.TO.W.0055.000000T0000Z-260622T0215Z/
Perry IL-
838 PM CDT Sun Jun 21 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN PERRY COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for south central
Illinois.
&&
LAT...LON 3796 8897 3796 8916 3800 8914 3802 8914
3803 8915 3806 8912 3810 8912 3810 8914
3811 8913 3813 8913 3813 8892
TIME...MOT...LOC 0138Z 274DEG 17KT 3804 8914
$$
ILC055-081-220215-
/O.CON.KPAH.TO.W.0055.000000T0000Z-260622T0215Z/
Jefferson IL-Franklin IL-
838 PM CDT Sun Jun 21 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 PM CDT FOR SOUTH
CENTRAL JEFFERSON AND NORTHWESTERN FRANKLIN COUNTIES...
At 838 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Du Quoin, moving east at 20 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...
Christopher, Rend Lake Area, Sesser, Valier, and West City around
845 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include North
City and Buckner.
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 3796 8897 3796 8916 3800 8914 3802 8914
3803 8915 3806 8912 3810 8912 3810 8914
3811 8913 3813 8913 3813 8892
TIME...MOT...LOC 0138Z 274DEG 17KT 3804 8914
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
DW654
WWUS53 KPAH 220148
SVSPAH
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
848 PM CDT Sun Jun 21 2026
ILC055-081-220158-
/O.CAN.KPAH.TO.W.0055.000000T0000Z-260622T0215Z/
Jefferson IL-Franklin IL-
848 PM CDT Sun Jun 21 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL JEFFERSON AND NORTHWESTERN
FRANKLIN COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. However, gusty winds are
still possible with this thunderstorm.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for south central
Illinois.
&&
LAT...LON 3796 8897 3796 8916 3800 8914 3802 8914
3803 8915 3806 8912 3810 8912 3810 8914
3811 8913 3813 8913 3813 8892
TIME...MOT...LOC 0147Z 274DEG 17KT 3804 8908
$$
DWWhat 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 Jun 21, 12:10 PM CDT, 8 hours 20 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Showers and thunderstorms expected later today, especially tonight, lingering into Monday; localized flooding heavy rainfall and strong to severe storms will be possible.
- Cooler and mostly drier conditions return Tuesday, before scattered storms re-enter the forecast later in the week heading into next weekend.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 21, 12:10 PM CDT, 8 hours 20 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1210 PM CDT Sun Jun 21 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Showers and thunderstorms expected later today, especially
tonight, lingering into Monday; localized flooding heavy
rainfall and strong to severe storms will be possible.
- Cooler and mostly drier conditions return Tuesday, before
scattered storms re-enter the forecast later in the week
heading into next weekend.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1205 PM CDT Sun Jun 21 2026
The complex of storms marching across MO will push our
northern/western reaches this afternoon. MUCAPEs will be making
their way into 4 digits, despite incoming clouds retarding the
diurnal rise. Dew points already into the lower 70s across our
south will solidify their ground over the entirety of the FA
this pm. Bulk shear and lapse rates similarly improve with the
system's approach, so any PM storm does show strong-svr potential.
However, the track of this driving low looks primarily to be to
our north, and the main first threat looks to follow its track.
Our best best for more robust/widespread storms comes later,
into the 00z-06z time frame, as the 2ndary wave develops and
rides along the boundary. By then, the upper shear profiles have
peaked, and helicity picks up, at least along the boundary/in
the vicinity of the wave's track, which dives southeastward into
the lower Ohio Valley. Expect an all hazards severe mode with
this wave, and in addition, near 2" PW's with E-SAT's showing
10-30 year Return Intervals suggest an efficiency to heavy rain
producing storms that if they train/repeat over the same areas,
could enhance storm average forecast total signals of around an
inch, to localized totals 2-3x higher. We'll therefore continue
the Flood Watch in our peak threat areas north for now, with
collaborative efforts driving any southward expansion.
Storms linger along/in advance of the boundary into Monday as
it moves eastward and southward coincident with the low's track
up the Ohio valley, which ultimately winds pops down with
relatively cooler/drier air coming in its place by Tuesday. Pops
start to pick up again later in the week, esp into next weekend.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/...
Issued at 1205 PM CDT Sun Jun 21 2026
Storm chances increase thru the TAF forecast period, with
restrictions to CIGS/VSBYS increasing with pops. Peak
restrictions will be this evening/overnight, when stronger
storms may drive Instrument Flight Rules at times. South winds
shift to northwest upon system passage late tonight/early tmrw,
as low end MVFR to potentially IFR based CIGS prevail. They
should gradually disperse as pops complete their diminishing
from the forecast area thru the planning phase hours of the
forecast.
&&
.PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IL...Lake Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for ILZ075-081-
085.
Flood Watch from 1 PM CDT this afternoon through Monday
morning for ILZ075>078-080>083.
MO...Lake Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for MOZ100.
IN...Flood Watch from 1 PM CDT /2 PM EDT/ this afternoon through
Monday morning for INZ081-082-085>088.
KY...Lake Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for KYZ007>009-
011-012.
&&Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 21, 3:16 AM CDT, 17 hours 14 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Paducah KY 316 AM CDT Sun Jun 21 2026 ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087- 100-107>112-114-221215- 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- 316 AM CDT Sun Jun 21 2026 /416 AM EDT Sun Jun 21 2026/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Numerous thunderstorms are expected throughout the Quad State today. Severe storms with damaging winds, large hail, and even a few tornadoes will be possible this afternoon and evening. Heavy rainfall will be a concern for the entire period. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday Thunderstorms are expected to continue through Monday mainly across the south and southeast, with heavy rainfall the main concern. An isolated thunderstorm cannot be ruled out over southeast Missouri Tuesday night and expanding across the area on Wednesday. More scattered thunderstorm activity is possible Thursday afternoon and into the overnight. Better chances of storms return Friday and Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and evening.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jun 21, 7:57 PM CDT, 33 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
757 PM CDT Sun Jun 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0755 PM Tornado 1 WSW Spurgeon 38.25N 87.28W
06/21/2026 Pike IN Emergency Mngr
Rope tornado on the ground from EM.
&&
AZLocal storm report, Jun 21, 8:03 PM CDT, 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
803 PM CDT Sun Jun 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0728 PM Tornado 5 SSW Mount Erie 38.44N 88.26W
06/21/2026 Wayne IL Public
Social media report of a tornado north of
Toms Prairie. This tornado was also spotted
from Merriam.
&&
ATLLocal storm report, Jun 21, 8:18 PM CDT, 12 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
818 PM CDT Sun Jun 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0816 PM Tornado 8 NW Dale 38.24N 87.10W
06/21/2026 Pike IN Storm Chaser
Tornado reported on the ground near Dale,
IN. Public and chaser report relayed via EM.
&&
AZLocal storm report, Jun 21, 8:20 PM CDT, 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
820 PM CDT Sun Jun 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0803 PM Tornado 4 NNE Belle Prairie Cit 38.27N 88.53W
06/21/2026 Wayne IL Trained Spotter
Tornado reported northeast of Belle Prairie
City.
&&
DWSLocal storm report, Jun 21, 8:28 PM CDT, 2 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
828 PM CDT Sun Jun 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0809 PM Tornado 8 NW Dale 38.24N 87.10W
06/21/2026 Pike IN Storm Chaser
Corrects previous tornado report from 8 NW
Dale. Tornado reported on the ground near
Dale, IN. Public and chaser report relayed
via EM.
&&
DWSLocal storm report, Jun 21, 8:29 PM CDT, 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
829 PM CDT Sun Jun 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0739 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 E Lynnville 38.20N 87.30W
06/21/2026 Warrick IN Emergency Mngr
Multiple trees and powerlines down in
Lynnville. Possible tornado.
&&
ATLThe office that day
Everything else NWS Paducah, KY issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 21, 7:01 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Franklin, Jefferson, Perry | 44 min |
| Jun 21, 7:20 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Edwards, Wabash | 40 min |
| Jun 21, 7:39 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Edwards, Wabash, Wayne | 27 min |
| Jun 21, 7:41 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Hamilton, Wayne, White | 49 min |
| Jun 21, 7:44 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Edwards, Wabash, Wayne | 3 hr |
| Jun 21, 7:58 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Edwards, Wabash, Wayne | 6 hr |
| Jun 21, 8:12 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Hamilton, White | 48 min |
| Jun 21, 8:28 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Edwards, Wabash, Wayne, White | 47 min |
| Jun 21, 8:43 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | PAH | Wabash | 3 hr |
| Jun 21, 8:51 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | White | 39 min |
| Jun 21, 8:56 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | PAH | Wabash | 49 min |
| Jun 21, 9:18 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | PAH | Wabash | 6 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.