Tornado and Damaging Wind in Illinois, June 15, 2019

Name: Tornado and Damaging Wind in Illinois, June 15, 2019
Start: 2019-06-15T19:38
End: 2019-06-15T20:49
Location: Illinois

June 15, 2019 · NWS DVN · 2 events in 2 counties and zones

Severe thunderstorms tracked across portions of eastern Iowa, northeast Missouri, and northwest Illinois Saturday evening, June 15, bringing damaging winds, heavy downpours, frequent lightning, large hail, and a tornado. Many areas saw winds between 30-50 mph during the evening hours, with higher winds of 60-70 mph reported in Iowa and Benton counties in Iowa.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 2

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.

The storms produced three tornadoes in Des Moines County (west of Mediapolis, IA and south of Oakville, IA) between 7:50 pm and 8:30 pm.

Two tornadoes south of Oakville were rated EF2 and downed numerous trees, severely damaged a house displacing it off its foundation, destroyed outbuildings, and downed power poles.

The tornado west of Mediapolis remained in an open field and was rated EF0.

Another tornado occurred just northeast of Keithsburg in Mercer County Illinois. This tornado was rated EF1 and trees.

What forecasters said that day

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 Quad Cities, IA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 15, 5:39 PM CST, 1 hour 59 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 15, 5:39 PM CST, 1 hour 59 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
639 PM CDT Sat Jun 15 2019

...AVIATION UPDATE...

.SYNOPSIS...
Issued at 302 PM CDT Sat Jun 15 2019

18Z surface data has a weak low near KFOD. A warm front ran
southeast from the low into northeast Missouri and southern
Illinois. A cold front ran from southwest Minnesota into southern
Wisconsin. Dew points behind the cold front were in the 40s and 50s.
From the Ohio Valley into the central Plains and south to the Gulf
coast dew points were in the 60s and 70s.

&&

.SHORT TERM...(This Evening through Sunday)
ISSUED AT 302 PM CDT Sat Jun 15 2019

Based on satellite/radar trends isolated to scattered convection
will continue through early evening mainly west of the Mississippi.
East of the Mississippi the decaying remnants of the nocturnal storm
complex may prevent much in the way of new convection from
developing.

How convection develops/continues into the overnight hours is not
entirely clear. Based on how storms are developing so far one
scenario is for storms to grow upscale into a line in central Iowa
that moves east southeast or southeast through the area. If this
scenario occurs the most likely time frame for strong storms, and
possible severe, would be 9 PM to 2 AM.

The other scenario is that storms remain disorganized. If this
occurs then any severe storms would occur this evening mainly west
of the Mississippi with isolated to possibly scattered storms during
the overnight hours.

On Sunday mainly dry conditions should be seen during the morning
hours. During the afternoon isolated to scattered convection is
possible if enough daytime heating can occur. If clouds persist for
much of the day then the afternoon 'could' be dry.

.LONG TERM...(Sunday Night through Saturday)
ISSUED AT 302 PM CDT Sat Jun 15 2019

Sunday night through next Saturday: Active pattern setting up with
periodic rounds of showers and thunderstorms. There will be a zonal
flow with upper air disturbances being ejected into the Midwest out
of a deepening trough in the Pacific Northwest. Then later in the
week and into next weekend the trough deepens/digs into the Rockies.
This sets up a southwest flow aloft with a heat dome forming in the
western portions of the southern Plains. More clusters of storms
should form across the Midwest along an e-w frontal boundary. This
scenario is based on the ECMWF but the GFS is much less
amplified. Too early to tell rain amounts or severe potential this
far out but the overall synoptic pattern and it being June
(climatology) there is certainly the possibility for severe
weather and flash flooding. Confidence is also low due to
considerable timing/amplitude differences regarding the upper
trough.

Temperatures during this time frame will feature highs well in the
70s to lower 80s, with lows in the lower to mid 60s. This is near to
slightly below normal for this time of year.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Sunday Evening)
ISSUED AT 635 PM CDT Sat Jun 15 2019

Convection has evolved into a line across eastern Iowa that will
have a high probability of producing severe winds at KCID.
MVFR/VFR conditions will be seen through 06z/16 with periods of
IFR conditions in the storms and rain. After 06z/16 conditions
will slowly deteriorate to widespread MVFR through 15z/16. After
15z/16 conditions will slowly improve to MVFR/VFR with the
possibility of isolated SHRA/TSRA after 18z/16.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 317 PM CDT Sat Jun 15 2019

The Mississippi River and the Des Moines River continue to show
falling trends with several sites falling to below flood stage
over the next couple of days. Locally heavy rainfall can be
expected this afternoon and evening, with several rounds of
thunderstorms during the middle to end of this upcoming work week.

While it is too early to determine rainfall amounts the synoptic
pattern suggests the potential for heavy rainfall which may cause
rises on some of the rivers.

&&

.DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IA...NONE.
IL...NONE.
MO...NONE.
&&

SYNOPSIS...08
SHORT TERM...08
LONG TERM...Haase
AVIATION...08
HYDROLOGY...Haase

Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 15, 3:04 AM CST, 16 hours 34 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
404 AM CDT Sat Jun 15 2019

IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007-
009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-160915-
Buchanan-Delaware-Dubuque-Benton-Linn-Jones-Jackson-Iowa-Johnson-
Cedar-Clinton-Muscatine-Scott-Keokuk-Washington-Louisa-Jefferson-
Henry IA-Des Moines-Van Buren-Lee-Jo Daviess-Stephenson-Carroll-
Whiteside-Rock Island-Henry IL-Bureau-Putnam-Mercer-Henderson-
Warren-Hancock-McDonough-Scotland-Clark-
404 AM CDT Sat Jun 15 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Illinois...northwest Illinois...west central Illinois...east
central Iowa...northeast Iowa...southeast Iowa and northeast
Missouri.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

Areas of showers and thunderstorms will move over locations along
and south of Interstate 80 this morning, with heavy rain and
lightning the primary threats.

This afternoon and this evening, another round of thunderstorms is
expected to develop in the area, or move towards eastern Iowa from
central Iowa. Severe storms are possible this afternoon and
evening, especially if temperatures rise to the mid 80s. Since
there is rain this morning, this afternoon's heating is not
certain. If we do not warm up, the afternoon storms may not be as
strong, and may not occur.

If storms do form this afternoon and evening, there will be a
risk for damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes.
Localized heavy rain amounts are also possible.

Area rivers are experiencing flooding. Please see
the latest Flood Statements and Flood Warnings for details.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

Isolated thunderstorms are possible Sunday and Monday, mainly south
of a Fairfield to Galesburg line, but no severe weather is expected.

Periods of thunderstorms are possible late Tuesday through Friday.
The potential for severe weather or organized heavy rainfall is low
through Wednesday. For Thursday and Friday, it is too early to
determine specific details on rainfall amounts and hazards.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is expected this afternoon and evening.

Ervin/RP Kinney

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jun 15, 5:39 PM CST, 1 hour 59 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
639 PM CDT SAT JUN 15 2019

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

0631 PM     TSTM WND GST     3 SW KEYSTONE           41.96N 92.24W
06/15/2019  E60 MPH          BENTON             IA   BROADCAST MEDIA

            NEAR HWY 30 AND IA 131.

&&

GROSS

Local storm report, Jun 15, 5:57 PM CST, 1 hour 41 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
657 PM CDT SAT JUN 15 2019

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

0654 PM     TSTM WND GST     ATKINS                  42.00N 91.86W
06/15/2019  E70 MPH          BENTON             IA   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

            SUSTAINED 50-55 MPH, RELAYED BY EMERGENCY
            MANAGEMENT.

&&

GROSS

Local storm report, Jun 15, 6:14 PM CST, 1 hour 24 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
714 PM CDT SAT JUN 15 2019

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

0709 PM     HAIL             2 W CEDAR RAPIDS        41.97N 91.71W
06/15/2019  E0.25 INCH       LINN               IA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            REPORTED NEAR EDGEWOOD RD AND JOHNSON AVE.

&&

GROSS

Local storm report, Jun 15, 7:07 PM CST, 31 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
807 PM CDT SAT JUN 15 2019

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

0755 PM     HEAVY RAIN       2 NNW SHELLSBURG        42.12N 91.89W
06/15/2019  M1.80 INCH       BENTON             IA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            RAIN FELL BETWEEN 715 AND 755 PM.

&&

PS

Special weather statement, Jun 15, 7:22 PM CST, 16 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
822 PM CDT Sat Jun 15 2019

IAC183-160215-
Washington-
822 PM CDT Sat Jun 15 2019

...HEAVY RAIN FROM THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT CENTRAL WASHINGTON
COUNTY UNTIL 915 PM CDT...

At 819 PM CDT, radar indicated heavy rain from thunderstorms falling
over Washington. These thunderstorms with heavy rain are nearly
stationary.

Locations impacted include...
Washington, Marr Park and Washington Airport.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this thunderstorms. Minor
flooding of low lying areas, creeks, streams and urban areas is
possible. If you encounter water over a roadway, do not drive through
it.

LAT...LON 4123 9181 4140 9174 4138 9152 4120 9161
TIME...MOT...LOC 0119Z 288DEG 2KT 4130 9169

Gibbs

Local storm report, Jun 15, 7:35 PM CST, 3 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
835 PM CDT SAT JUN 15 2019

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

0834 PM     HEAVY RAIN       LOWDEN                  41.86N 90.92W
06/15/2019  M0.90 INCH       CEDAR              IA   CO-OP OBSERVER

            RAIN FELL IN 20 MIN.

&&

GROSS

The radar

The Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 62 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:36 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 tornado, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Tornado, Mercer

When: June 15, 7:38 PM CST to 7:39 PM CST
Where: Mercer County, 1.56 mi NW of Ogle to 1.17 mi NNW of Ogle
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.68 mi
Path width: 40 yd
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.113, -90.904

A brief tornado damaged trees at and just east of a farmstead. Some trunks were snapped off near the base. Maximum wind speeds were estimated around 100 mph. The tornado was on the ground for about 1 minute. The time was estimated by radar, and the damage was observed and documented by emergency management.

Thunderstorm Wind, Henry

When: June 15, 8:49 PM CST
Where: Henry County, 5.01 mi SW of Atkinson
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.370, -90.090

A tree blow down onto a house.

What these are

Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Illinois in 2019 Every state in 2019 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Illinois, 2019 Warnings in Illinois, June 2019

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: 834405, 834406.