An upper-level disturbance triggered a cluster of severe thunderstorms across south-central Illinois during the morning of May 31st. The storms primarily impacted locations south of the I-70 corridor as they tracked eastward, producing wind gusts of 65-70mph.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
An upper-level disturbance triggered a cluster of severe thunderstorms across south-central Illinois during the morning of May 31st. The storms primarily impacted locations south of the I-70 corridor as they tracked eastward, producing wind gusts of 65-70mph. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across Effingham, Clay, Jasper, Richland, Crawford, and Lawrence counties.
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 May 31, 5:56 AM CST, 4 hours 5 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 656 AM CDT Thu May 31 2018 .SHORT TERM...(Today and tonight) ISSUED AT 310 AM CDT Thu May 31 2018 What remains of Alberto is being phased with another 500 mb wave over the Upper Midwest this morning. An MCV associated with the MCS currently over the Plains makes its way into the mid Miss River Valley by midday. This wave will run into moderately unstable air early, and short term models are producing some scattered showers and thunderstorms across the southern third of IL. However, the bulk shear is limited in the first round. As the afternoon progresses, the better shear sets up in southern IL and whatever air has had a chance to reenergize, or areas that were not turned over, will have the potential to develop into more severe storms. Much of the storms for Central IL will be either surface based convection, with afternoon peak heating...or a hybrid of the afternoon instability and cold pools from the convection to the south of ILX CWA. Given the general instability in the area, developing strong updrafts will result in a threat for damaging winds and large hail with the stronger storms for the areas along and south of a line from Macomb to Bloomington. So far, the bulk of the activity for Central IL will come to an end near sunset...with the storms to the south persisting in the stronger shear environment. Temps today will climb to upper 80s/low 90s, with afternoon convection potentially limiting some of that climb, esp south of I-70. .LONG TERM...(Friday through Wednesday) ISSUED AT 310 AM CDT Thu May 31 2018 So far, the forecast for Friday dries out briefly, but that will depend on just how efficiently that wave moves out as it gets kicked by the next trof moving into the High Plains tomorrow night. This next trof is taking on some interesting characteristics. The trof goes to a negative tilt pretty quickly Friday night/Saturday, but the surface low remains elongated and without explosive development in southern Canada. The pattern is further complicated by another low moving into the Pac NW ready to rush the wave along. Now, the elongated/sheared out nature of the surface trough is evolving briefly to a double barrel low before most of the energy moves into the bottom of the wave Monday night. By then, the negative tilt is gone and the surface low moves out of the Great Lakes. Will be interesting if that low remains as weak at the surface as is currently in the models. All of that being said, what that low means for Central IL is a frontal passage on Saturday, running into some unstable summer air again, and another round of showers and thunderstorms for the region. A more pleasant Sunday with slightly cooler temperatures, more in line with seasonal normals...highs in the upper 70s/lower 80s. A break in the precip expected to continue into mid week as high pressure sets up over the region. On Tuesday, the ridge axis slips to the east and another slow warm up comes back into the forecast. && .AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Friday morning) Issued at 656 AM CDT Thu May 31 2018 Scattered TSRA will develop starting late morning into afternoon. A more organized and stronger system of thunderstorms may impact mainly southern terminals KSPI-KDEC southward in the late afternoon and evening. Timing any break in thunderstorm activity is not possible at this time given timing uncertainties at this point. Have incorporated VCTS in TAFS starting 19-21Z, continuing until 02-03Z. Winds SW under 12 kts diminishing after 02Z. Primarily VFR conditions expected through the period, although MVFR and strong gusty winds possible in thunderstorms. && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && SHORT TERM...HJS LONG TERM...HJS AVIATION...37
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 526 AM CDT Thu May 31 2018 ILZ027>031-037-038-011100- Knox-Marshall-McLean-Peoria-Stark-Tazewell-Woodford- 526 AM CDT Thu May 31 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT... Isolated thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening. Severe weather is not expected, however gusty winds and lightning will accompany thunderstorms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY... The next chance for thunderstorms will arrive Saturday afternoon into Saturday night. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated through tonight. ILZ043>046-055>057-063-011100- Champaign-Clark-Coles-De Witt-Douglas-Edgar-Piatt-Vermilion- 526 AM CDT Thu May 31 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Illinois and east central Illinois. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT... Scattered thunderstorms will develop for this afternoon and evening. Some of these storms may become severe...with damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 mph and hail larger than one inch diameter. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY... Another storm system will bring thunderstorm chances back to the area Saturday night. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed from 2 to 10 p.m. today. ILZ036-040>042-047>054-061-062-066>068-071>073-011100- Cass-Christian-Clay-Crawford-Cumberland-Effingham-Fulton-Jasper- Lawrence-Logan-Macon-Mason-Menard-Morgan-Moultrie-Richland- Sangamon-Schuyler-Scott-Shelby- 526 AM CDT Thu May 31 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Illinois, east central Illinois, southeast Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT... Scattered thunderstorms will develop for this afternoon and evening. Some of these storms may become severe...with damaging wind gusts in excess of 60mph and hail one to 2 inches in diameter. Severe weather threats will be highest south of I-72. There will also be an isolated tornado threat south of I-70. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY... Another storm system will bring thunderstorm chances back to the area Saturday night. There is a chance some of these storms may become severe with large hail and locally damaging wind gusts. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed from 2 to 10 p.m. today. 37
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
723 AM CDT THU MAY 31 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM HEAVY RAIN WILLARD AIRPORT 40.04N 88.28W
05/31/2018 M1.17 INCH CHAMPAIGN IL ASOS
24 HOUR TOTAL.
&&
SBAKERPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
724 AM CDT THU MAY 31 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM HEAVY RAIN CASEY 39.30N 87.99W
05/31/2018 M1.14 INCH CLARK IL CO-OP OBSERVER
24 HOUR TOTAL.
&&
SBAKERPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
904 AM CDT THU MAY 31 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0600 AM HEAVY RAIN 4 SW ATHENS 39.92N 89.78W
05/31/2018 M1.01 INCH MENARD IL CO-OP OBSERVER
24-HOUR TOTAL
0730 AM HEAVY RAIN CHENOA 40.74N 88.72W
05/31/2018 M1.67 INCH MCLEAN IL CO-OP OBSERVER
24-HOUR TOTAL
0500 AM HEAVY RAIN 4 NE NORMAL 40.56N 88.95W
05/31/2018 M1.63 INCH MCLEAN IL CO-OP OBSERVER
24-HOUR TOTAL
0700 AM HEAVY RAIN FISHER 40.32N 88.35W
05/31/2018 M1.33 INCH CHAMPAIGN IL CO-OP OBSERVER
24-HOUR TOTAL
0600 AM HEAVY RAIN PARIS 39.62N 87.69W
05/31/2018 M2.00 INCH EDGAR IL CO-OP OBSERVER
24-HOUR TOTAL
0600 AM HEAVY RAIN OGDEN 40.12N 87.96W
05/31/2018 M1.35 INCH CHAMPAIGN IL CO-OP OBSERVER
24-HOUR TOTAL
0700 AM HEAVY RAIN 4 N SIDELL 39.97N 87.82W
05/31/2018 M1.30 INCH VERMILION IL CO-OP OBSERVER
24-HOUR TOTAL
0730 AM HEAVY RAIN CASEY 39.30N 87.99W
05/31/2018 M1.14 INCH CLARK IL CO-OP OBSERVER
0800 AM HEAVY RAIN 2 WSW LAWRENCEVILLE 38.72N 87.72W
05/31/2018 M1.81 INCH LAWRENCE IL CO-OP OBSERVER
24-HOUR TOTAL
0700 AM HEAVY RAIN ROBINSON 39.01N 87.74W
05/31/2018 M1.70 INCH CRAWFORD IL CO-OP OBSERVER
24-HOUR TOTAL
&&
GEELHARTPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
948 AM CDT THU MAY 31 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM HEAVY RAIN 2 SE NORMAL 40.50N 88.97W
05/31/2018 M2.70 INCH MCLEAN IL COCORAHS
24-HOUR TOTAL
0700 AM HEAVY RAIN 3 NE BLOOMINGTON 40.51N 88.93W
05/31/2018 M2.23 INCH MCLEAN IL COCORAHS
24-HOUR TOTAL
0700 AM HEAVY RAIN WESTVILLE 40.04N 87.64W
05/31/2018 M2.15 INCH VERMILION IL COCORAHS
24-HOUR TOTAL
0700 AM HEAVY RAIN 1 SSE NORMAL 40.50N 88.99W
05/31/2018 M2.08 INCH MCLEAN IL COCORAHS
24-HOUR TOTAL
0800 AM HEAVY RAIN 4 ESE CHRISMAN 39.78N 87.60W
05/31/2018 M1.96 INCH EDGAR IL COCORAHS
24-HOUR TOTAL
0600 AM HEAVY RAIN HUTSONVILLE 39.11N 87.66W
05/31/2018 M1.92 INCH CRAWFORD IL COCORAHS
24-HOUR TOTAL
0700 AM HEAVY RAIN 1 W LAWRENCEVILLE 38.73N 87.71W
05/31/2018 M1.81 INCH LAWRENCE IL COCORAHS
24-HOUR TOTAL
0700 AM HEAVY RAIN EL PASO 40.74N 89.01W
05/31/2018 M1.65 INCH WOODFORD IL COCORAHS
24-HOUR TOTAL
0800 AM HEAVY RAIN 2 NNW DEWEY 40.35N 88.30W
05/31/2018 M1.21 INCH CHAMPAIGN IL COCORAHS
24-HOUR TOTAL
0800 AM HEAVY RAIN BROADLANDS 39.91N 88.00W
05/31/2018 M1.13 INCH CHAMPAIGN IL COCORAHS
24-HOUR TOTAL
0700 AM HEAVY RAIN PHILO 40.00N 88.16W
05/31/2018 M1.13 INCH CHAMPAIGN IL COCORAHS
24-HOUR TOTAL
0700 AM HEAVY RAIN 2 SW CHAMPAIGN 40.09N 88.29W
05/31/2018 M1.06 INCH CHAMPAIGN IL COCORAHS
24-HOUR TOTAL
0700 AM HEAVY RAIN DANVILLE 40.14N 87.62W
05/31/2018 M1.01 INCH VERMILION IL COCORAHS
24-HOUR TOTAL
0700 AM HEAVY RAIN 7 SSE PETERSBURG 39.92N 89.80W
05/31/2018 M1.01 INCH MENARD IL COCORAHS
24-HOUR TOTAL
&&
GEELHARTThe Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 80 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 15:59 UTC.
14 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down around Flora. Some large trees fell onto houses.
Multiple trees were blown down in Xenia.
A pine tree was blown onto a house and another tree was blown across a driveway in Olney.
An 8-inch diameter limb was ripped off a tree.
A power pole was blown down.
Numerous small tree branches were blown down.
Numerous small trees were blown down and a barn was severely damaged.
A two-inch diameter tree branch approximately 10 to 12 inches long was blown down.
Numerous trees were blown down in Sumner.
Numerous trees were blown down in Bridgeport.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across Lawrenceville.
Numerous trees and tree branches were blown down across Crawford County.
A semi-trailer was blown over about 7 miles south of Newton, injuring the driver.
Several large tree branches were blown down.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderstorm Wind, Jasper | 2018-05-31 | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Illinois in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Illinois, May 2018
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: 757281, 757283, 757285, 757286, 757322, 757288, 757289, 757290, 757292, 757294, 757295, 757296, 757297, 757298.