A large cluster of nocturnal thunderstorms developed over eastern Nebraska into Iowa during the night of July 5th, then tracked southeastward into west-central Illinois during the pre-dawn hours of July 6th. The storms were in a weakening state at the time, so only isolated wind damage was reported in Knox County.
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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.
The episode as NWS ILX wrote it up.
A large cluster of nocturnal thunderstorms developed over eastern Nebraska into Iowa during the night of July 5th, then tracked southeastward into west-central Illinois during the pre-dawn hours of July 6th. The storms were in a weakening state at the time, so only isolated wind damage was reported in Knox County. As they moved further southeast, the storms re-intensified by mid morning, resulting in scattered wind damage along and east of the I-57 corridor.
The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Jul 6, 2:35 AM CST, 45 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 335 AM CDT WED JUL 6 2016 .SHORT TERM...(Today) ISSUED AT 335 AM CDT Wed Jul 6 2016 SPC issued a severe thunderstorm watch for our northern 18 counties generally north of I-72 through 14Z/9 am this morning. Large MCS with southern edge of a line of strong to potentially severe thunderstorms was along I-80 and tracking southeast at 25-30 mph and just north of Stark county. Also have small cluster of thunderstormsover Edgar and southern Vermilion counties. Concensus is for MCS to continue southeast track across central IL into mid morning while gradually weakening during mid/late morning as low level jet support it weakens. In addition to strong winds, heavy rains and frequent lightning will occur with these storms. Have increase pops this morning over central IL due to approaching MCS. SPC day 1 outlook as slight risk across CWA today and tonight. Expect atmosphere to destabilize again later this afternoon as more scattered thunderstorms develop and have slight risk of severe storms then as well. Temps rise into upper 80s to near 90F and dewpoints in the 70s. This gives afternoon heat indices peaking in mid to upper 90s. && .LONG TERM...(Tonight through Tuesday) ISSUED AT 335 AM CDT Wed Jul 6 2016 Another MCS expected to develop tonight near central IL with another round of thunderstorms and slight risk of severe storms along with heavy rains and frequent lightning. Muggy lows overnight of 70-75F. Another hot and humid day on Thu with highs 88 to 93F and dewpoints in the 70s giving afternoon heat indices of 99-105F. Will be close to heat advisory criteria Thu afternoon over sw CWA. Chances of showers and thunderstorms continues Thu with increased chances Thu night especially north of I-70 as yet another MCS to impact the area and this appears to have slight risk of severe storms as well. A vigorous short wave trof tracks into the upper MS river valley Thu night and this drives a cold front southeast over central IL on Friday with best chances of convection focused over southeast half of CWA, while slight risk of severe is southeast of CWA. Another very warm and humid day with highs in the upper 80s over central IL and lower 90s from I-70 south. Afternoon heat indices Friday range from lower 90s IL river valley to 99-103 from I-70 south. 00Z models continue to be quicker moving front southeast of IL Friday night and have ended rain sooner, with just slight chance of convection southeast of I-70 Friday evening. Weak high pressure settles into the area on Saturday and this to bring dry conditions over CWA most of the weekend along with a bit cooler and less humid conditions. Highs Sat 80-85F and in low to mid 80s on Sunday. Dewpoints mainly in the 60s this weekend, a break from the tropical dewpoints in the 70s this work week. Upper level ridging building back into the MS river valley early next week to return heat and humidity by next Mon/Tue along with some chances of showers and thunderstorms. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Wednesday night) Issued at 1148 PM CDT Tue Jul 5 2016 The latest HRRR runs have slowed the arrival of the storms by a couple hours, to after 10z/5am, while radar is tracking more in line with the older HRRR runs from earlier this evening. Have slowed the tempo groups for potential stronger storms by an hour or two. SPC diminished the Slight Risk area to be NW of Peoria, so no terminal sites are in the Slight risk any longer, with Marginal Risk including the PIA and BMI TAF areas. After the initial wave departs into Indiana Wed morning, there are conflicting solutions as to how much convection will linger during the morning. Have help on to storm chances through mid-morning, then indicated a redevelopment of storms later Wed afternoon as the next shortwave arrives in the 500 mb flow. Additional strong to severe storms will be possible during that time frame. Have still only included VCTS for late in the TAF period. Winds will shift from S to SW by mid-day Wed, then increase speeds into the 10-16kt. A few gusts could develop to around 20kt early in the afternoon. && .ILX Watches/Warnings/Advisories... NONE. && SHORT TERM...07 LONG TERM...07 AVIATION...Shimon
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL 307 PM CDT TUE JUL 5 2016 ILZ027>031-036>038-040>042-047-048-061100- CASS-FULTON-KNOX-LOGAN-MARSHALL-MASON-MCLEAN-MENARD-PEORIA- SCHUYLER-STARK-TAZEWELL-WOODFORD- 307 PM CDT TUE JUL 5 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS...NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS AND WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED LATER TONIGHT INTO EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING. THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK THAT SOME OF THESE LATE NIGHT THUNDERSTORMS MAY PRODUCE DAMAGING WINDS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY DAILY CHANCES FOR THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED OVER THE AREA THROUGH FRIDAY. AT THIS TIME IT APPEARS THE BETTER THREAT FOR ORGANIZED SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE LATE THURSDAY INTO EARLY FRIDAY AS A COLD FRONT APPROACHES THE AREA. HEAT INDEX VALUES OF 100 TO 105 DEGREES CAN BE EXPECTED EACH AFTERNOON STARTING ON WEDNESDAY AND CONTINUING THROUGH FRIDAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION POSSIBLE AFTER MIDNIGHT. ILZ043>046-049>056-061-062-066-061100- CHAMPAIGN-CHRISTIAN-COLES-CUMBERLAND-DE WITT-DOUGLAS-EFFINGHAM- MACON-MORGAN-MOULTRIE-PIATT-SANGAMON-SCOTT-SHELBY-VERMILION- 307 PM CDT TUE JUL 5 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS...EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS...SOUTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS AND WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED LATER TONIGHT INTO EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING. A FEW OF THE STORMS MAY PRODUCE STRONG WIND GUSTS ALONG WITH BRIEF HEAVY RAINFALL. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY DAILY CHANCES FOR THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED OVER THE AREA THROUGH FRIDAY. AT THIS TIME IT APPEARS THE BETTER THREAT FOR ORGANIZED SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE LATE THURSDAY INTO EARLY FRIDAY AS A COLD FRONT APPROACHES THE AREA. HEAT INDEX VALUES OF 100 TO 105 DEGREES CAN BE EXPECTED EACH AFTERNOON STARTING ON WEDNESDAY AND CONTINUING THROUGH FRIDAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED THROUGH TONIGHT. ILZ057-063-067-068-071>073-061100- CLARK-CLAY-CRAWFORD-EDGAR-JASPER-LAWRENCE-RICHLAND- 307 PM CDT TUE JUL 5 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS...SOUTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS AND SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED LATER TONIGHT INTO EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING. A FEW OF THE STORMS MAY PRODUCE STRONG WIND GUSTS ALONG WITH BRIEF HEAVY RAINFALL. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY DAILY CHANCES FOR THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED OVER THE AREA THROUGH FRIDAY. AT THIS TIME IT APPEARS THE BETTER THREAT FOR ORGANIZED SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE LATE THURSDAY INTO EARLY FRIDAY AS A COLD FRONT APPROACHES THE AREA. HEAT INDEX VALUES OF 100 TO 105 DEGREES CAN BE EXPECTED EACH AFTERNOON STARTING ON WEDNESDAY AND CONTINUING THROUGH FRIDAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED THROUGH TONIGHT. HJS
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL 234 AM CDT WED JUL 6 2016 ILZ046-057-060815- EDGAR-VERMILION- 234 AM CDT WED JUL 6 2016 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN VERMILION AND NORTHWESTERN EDGAR COUNTIES UNTIL 315 AM CDT... AT 233 AM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR ALLERTON...OR 20 MILES NORTHWEST OF PARIS...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 20 MPH. WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... DANVILLE...GEORGETOWN...WESTVILLE...TILTON...CATLIN...OAKWOOD... RIDGE FARM...FAIRMOUNT...SIDELL...FITHIAN...BELGIUM...HUME... MUNCIE...BISMARCK...INDIANOLA...JAMAICA...METCALF...PALERMO... VERMILION COUNTY AIRPORT AND KICKAPOO STATE PARK. THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 74 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 199 AND 220. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM...AND MAY LEAD TO LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH FLOODED ROADWAYS. FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE. && LAT...LON 3975 8791 4021 8794 4027 8753 3990 8753 TIME...MOT...LOC 0733Z 226DEG 18KT 3987 8789 SMITH
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
259 AM CDT WED JUL 6 2016
ILZ027>031-060900-
STARK-PEORIA-MARSHALL-KNOX-WOODFORD-
259 AM CDT WED JUL 6 2016
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN WOODFORD...NORTHERN
PEORIA...KNOX...STARK AND MARSHALL COUNTIES UNTIL 400 AM CDT...
AT 258 AM CDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG
A LINE EXTENDING FROM NEAR SHERIDAN TO WYANET TO TAYLOR RIDGE.
MOVEMENT WAS SOUTH AT 30 MPH.
WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
PEORIA...GALESBURG...LACON...CHILLICOTHE...ABINGDON...KNOXVILLE...
HENRY...MINONK...PRINCEVILLE...ROME...WYOMING...TOLUCA...DUNLAP...
TOULON...WASHBURN...WENONA...OSCEOLA...BRIMFIELD...
WATAGA AND BRADFORD.
THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING HIGHWAYS...
INTERSTATE 39 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 25 AND 40.
INTERSTATE 74 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 34 AND 75.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THESE STORMS...AND MAY
LEAD TO LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH
FLOODED ROADWAYS.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THESE STORMS.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
&&
LAT...LON 4115 8964 4115 8933 4112 8933 4110 8935
4110 8905 4093 8905 4093 8893 4088 8893
4083 8949 4081 9044 4115 9044 4115 8987
4123 8986 4124 8964
TIME...MOT...LOC 0758Z 341DEG 26KT 4155 8867 4134 8960 4139 9063
SMITHThe Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 65 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 09:21 UTC.
10 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A power pole was blown down about 1 mile east of Altona.
Power lines were blown down near the Coles County Airport.
Several trees were blown down.
Power lines were blown down in Neoga.
Several trees and power lines were blown down west of Oblong.
Trees were blown down in Oblong.
Several trees and power lines were blown down.
Several trees were blown down just south of Robinson.
Numerous trees were blown down in Pinkstaff.
Several trees were blown down across Route 1 just north of Lawrenceville.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Illinois in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyWarnings in Illinois, July 2016
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: 646777, 646779, 646780, 646781, 646782, 646783, 646784, 646785, 646786, 646787.