Illinois, 1999

Winter Storm in Illinois, January 18, 1999

January 18, 1999 · NWS DVN · 6 events in 6 counties and zones

A vigorous storm system over Wisconsin produced very strong winds across Eastern Iowa and Northwest Illinois. Numerous schools and businesses closed early due to the storm, and many accidents were reported as gusty west winds around 45 mph, coupled with blowing snow produced near blizzard conditions.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 6 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
6

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS DVN wrote it up.

A vigorous storm system over Wisconsin produced very strong winds across Eastern Iowa and Northwest Illinois. Numerous schools and businesses closed early due to the storm, and many accidents were reported as gusty west winds around 45 mph, coupled with blowing snow produced near blizzard conditions. Widespread blowing and drifting was reported along with snow and ice packed roads and visibilities less than one mile.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Bureau

When
January 18, 4:05 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Bureau forecast zone
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
41.404, -89.529 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Henderson

When
January 18, 4:05 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Henderson forecast zone
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
40.818, -90.925 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Henry

When
January 18, 4:05 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Henry forecast zone
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
41.353, -90.131 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Mercer

When
January 18, 4:05 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Mercer forecast zone
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
41.205, -90.741 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Rock Island

When
January 18, 4:05 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Rock Island forecast zone
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
41.467, -90.567 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Warren

When
January 18, 4:05 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where
Warren forecast zone
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
40.849, -90.615 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Winter Storm
A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Illinois in 1999Every state in 1999This day in weather historyWarnings in Illinois, January 1999

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5684805, 5684806, 5684807, 5684808, 5684809, 5684810.