Hail and Damaging Winds in Illinois, June 5, 2019

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Illinois, June 5, 2019
Start: 2019-06-05T15:45
End: 2019-06-05T18:00
Location: Illinois

June 5, 2019 · NWS PAH · 4 events in 2 counties and zones

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: $100,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 4

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 PAH wrote it up.

Numerous clusters of thunderstorms developed in southern Illinois along an outflow boundary from earlier storms, and ahead of a cold front over central Illinois. Strong solar heating contributed to a very unstable atmosphere, with mixed-layer capes from 3000 to 3500. Weak wind shear limited storm organization, but strong buoyancy supported intense storms capable of damaging winds.

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 Paducah, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 5, 12:54 PM CST, 2 hours 51 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 5, 12:54 PM CST, 2 hours 51 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Paducah KY
154 PM CDT Wed Jun 5 2019

.SHORT TERM...(Tonight through Friday night)
Issued at 1252 PM CDT Wed Jun 5 2019

Monitoring northern reaches of the FA for best convective chances
this pm, as energy spills down out of IA/nrn IL, and upstream
convection takes shape. Already showing MUCAPES of 3-4K J/KG for
this to move in/feed upon, but sounding data still indicates
maybe some minor capping inversions to erode still further
south/in its path. CAMs all more or less develop a line of
convection across northern-central ptns of IL/IN this pm, then
sag that line southward toward us by the end of the afternoon, and
on thru our area during the evening/into the overnight. Have
upped pops accordingly, and messaged for updated risk enhancement
in our far north...with damaging winds (30%) the primary hazard,
but large hail (15%) not ruled out. Presumably the trend will be
diminishing overnight, but we'll see what's ongoing at that time,
as by then they may be fed enough to continue at least into/thru
the early evening hours with their strength.

After tonight, the upper Low currently over the southwest U.S.,
will have drifted into the southern Plains, and will be soon
entering the Mississippi river valley. Its presence will agitate
our warm/humid airmass, with basically a persistent, albeit
off/on, chance of showers and storms daily, thru the remainder of
the short term forecast. While isolated (pulse) strong to severe
storms cannot be ruled out, this transition to a more tropically
sourced system means our primary hazard will be heavy
rain/flooding.

.LONG TERM...(Saturday through Wednesday)
Issued at 148 PM CDT Wed Jun 5 2019

Still eyeing heavy rainfall potential for the weekend with PWAT
values remaining around 2.0-2.2 inches across the region through
the Sunday. The trend seems to be to take the meandering cut off
low a little farther south than what was being depicted earlier in
the week, which puts the region in a little lighter total precip
regime. Rain/showers and thunderstorms will remain possible, but
coverage looks to be a bit lower, and may be more diurnally driven
on the northern half of the vertically stacked low pressure
system. Storm motion vectors will still be rather slow with weak
ambient flow, so localized heavy rainfall and flooding remains
plausible.

Monday an upper trough/jet max approaches from the west, nudges
our cut off low to the southeast and aids in pushing a front
through late Sunday night/Monday morning. This front will likely
lead to an increase in rain/thunder coverage initially, then be
followed by a much drier and somewhat cooler airmass. This should
set the stage for a pleasant few days with reduced relative
humidity (dewpoints in the 50s) and seasonable highs in the lower
80s vicinity amid mostly sunny skies. The trough axis is progged
to pass through on Wednesday but a lack of column moisture, for
now, looks to preclude significant precip chances.

&&

.AVIATION...
Issued at 1252 PM CDT Wed Jun 5 2019

Few clouds and southwest winds around 10 knots with some gusts AOA
20 knots can be expected at all TAF sites this afternoon.
Introduced VCTS at 00Z at all sites with VCTS or VCSH thereafter.
Some temporary reduced visibilities in thunderstorms/showers is
included in the NE (KMVN, KEVV and KOWB) for this evening.
Gradient winds will decrease by this evening although locally
gusty winds near thunderstorms can be expected.

&&

.PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IL...None.
MO...None.
IN...None.
KY...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...DH
LONG TERM...JGG
AVIATION...RLS

Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 5, 10:39 AM CST, 5 hours 6 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1139 AM CDT Wed Jun 5 2019

ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087-
100-107>112-114-061000-
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-
1139 AM CDT Wed Jun 5 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern
Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast
Missouri.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms will be igniting late this afternoon,
especially along and north of Interstate 64. These storms will
have the potential to be strong to severe, with damaging winds the
primary hazard. Large hail is also possible in a severe storm.
Lightning and heavy rain will be possible with any storms.

Refer to river flood warnings and statements for the latest on
area river flooding. Major flooding continues along the
Mississippi River from Chester south to Cape Girardeau and Thebes.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms with heavy rain will be
possible Thursday through the upcoming weekend. This could lead
to some localized flash flooding concerns.

Refer to river flood warnings and statements for the latest on
area river flooding.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed late this afternoon or evening.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 5, 3:11 PM CST, 34 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
411 PM CDT Wed Jun 5 2019

ILZ078-052145-
Wabash IL-
411 PM CDT Wed Jun 5 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN WABASH COUNTY UNTIL
445 PM CDT...

At 411 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Lancaster, or 9 miles north of Mount Carmel, moving east at 20 mph.

Half inch hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Mount Carmel, Lancaster and Allendale.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
southeastern Illinois.

LAT...LON 3857 8765 3856 8765 3855 8767 3851 8765
      3850 8766 3851 8767 3848 8772 3848 8774
      3846 8776 3845 8775 3843 8781 3857 8792
TIME...MOT...LOC 2111Z 288DEG 18KT 3856 8781

07

Special weather statement, Jun 5, 3:29 PM CST, 16 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
429 PM CDT Wed Jun 5 2019

ILZ076-052200-
Wayne IL-
429 PM CDT Wed Jun 5 2019

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN WAYNE COUNTY UNTIL
500 PM CDT...

At 429 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Xenia, or 10 miles southwest of Flora, moving southeast at 25 mph.

Half inch hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Cisne and Johnsonville.

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.

&&

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for
south central Illinois.

LAT...LON 3860 8838 3845 8839 3848 8870 3861 8870
TIME...MOT...LOC 2129Z 292DEG 22KT 3855 8859

07

The radar

The Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 88 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:46 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When: June 5, 3:45 PM CST
Where: Wayne County, 8 mi NW of Johnsonville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.602, -88.635

A trained spotter estimated a wind gust to 60 mph.

Hail, Wayne

When: June 5, 4:10 PM CST
Where: Wayne County, 3 mi NW of Cisne
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.551, -88.469

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When: June 5, 5:03 PM CST to 5:05 PM CST
Where: Wayne County, 2 mi SE of Golden Gate
Measured: 74 kt (85 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 38.349, -88.174

Approximately 30 trees were downed just southeast of the community of Golden Gate on County Road 650N. Additional damage in that same vicinity included part of a shed roof and an outdoor plastic playhouse. The path length of the microburst was one-third of a mile, and the width was 400 yards. Peak winds were estimated near 85 mph based on drone footage of the damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, White

When: June 5, 5:50 PM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: White County, Crossville to 3.5 mi SW of Grayville
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 38.170, -88.070

A tractor-trailer rig was blown over west-southwest of Grayville on Interstate 64. In the same vicinity, a large electric transmission line and double power poles were blown down onto a roadway. Multiple large trees were blown down along Highway 1 between Crossville and Grayville. Numerous power lines were down in and around Crossville.

What these are

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.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

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 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: 822292, 822287, 822289, 822291.