A strong storm system developed across the eastern Great Plains and Midwest during the afternoon of November 26, and brought a strong cold front across the area from the evening through the early hours of the 27th. Several rounds of showers and strong thunderstorms develop along this front, some of which produced severe wind gusts.
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 DVN wrote it up.
A strong storm system developed across the eastern Great Plains and Midwest during the afternoon of November 26, and brought a strong cold front across the area from the evening through the early hours of the 27th. Several rounds of showers and strong thunderstorms develop along this front, some of which produced severe wind gusts. Damage was limited mainly to trees, and mainly occurred over southeast Iowa and west central Illinois. A NWS Storm Survey determined straight-line thunderstorm winds estimated between 90 and 100 MPH caused extensive damage in Granville, IL.
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 Nov 26, 6:17 PM CST, 4 hours 58 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
617 PM CST Tue Nov 26 2019
...00Z AVIATION UPDATE...
.SYNOPSIS...
Issued at 257 PM CST Tue Nov 26 2019
As of early this afternoon, a potent upper low was located over
eastern Colorado and western Kansas. SPC mesoanalysis had an
attendant 992 mb surface low in southern Kansas. Mid-level WV
imagery showed a disjointed setup between moisture streaming in
from the east-central Pacific into the Mid Mississippi Valley and
the forcing associated with the upper low over the Midwest. For
this reason, coverage of rain has been fairly low so far today
across Iowa and Illinois. However, within the last hour, we have
seen an increase in showers locally.
Cool easterly flow has kept temps down to around 40 F in the far
north and the mid 40s far south into early this afternoon.
&&
.SHORT TERM...(This Evening through Wednesday)
ISSUED AT 257 PM CST Tue Nov 26 2019
Main Points
*Slight risk for severe storms late tonight approximately in the
counties along and south of I-80 between 10 PM and 3 AM. The main
threats are isolated damaging winds and isolated brief tornadoes.
*Also for tonight, widespread light rain is expected with some
moderate bands or showers at times.
*A High Wind Warning is in effect late tonight and Wednesday for
west to northwest wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph.
This Evening into Tonight
Widespread light rain is expected later this afternoon and evening
as low to mid-level isentropic lift translates from south to north
through the area. As this forcing shifts north, deep lift associated
with the left exit region of a 150 kt jet streak and mid-level PVA
will keep the chance for showers going through much of the night.
The last bout of precip will accompany the cold front that passes
through late tonight and could come in the form of showers and
isolated thunderstorms. With that said, even before the cold front
arrives max 2-6 km lapse rates will steepen to 7.5-8 C/km,
yielding MUCAPE values potentially over 300 J/kg which warrants
chances for thunder for all of tonight. QPF amounts are
relatively low and mainly between 0.25 to 0.50 inches because of
the quick moving nature of this system and eventual impacts from
the dry slot.
Severe Thunderstorm Potential
The Storm Prediction Center has a Slight risk for severe storms
roughly in the counties along and south of highway 34 (west of
Galesburg, IL) and a Marginal risk up to the I-80 corridor.
A few severe thunderstorms are possible along the cold front
tonight with the main threats damaging winds and isolated
tornadoes. Latest convective allowing models show that the best
potential for a few tornadoes is south of I-80 where the
convection has a little more SBCAPE to work with and therefore
could become a bit stronger. Given the kinematics associated with
the strong synoptic low, low- level shear and SRH is very strong
at 40+ kts and 250+ m2/s2.
For timing, the front and most likely window for scattered
convection and the low risk for severe is between 10 PM and 3 AM
from west to east through the area.
Late Tonight and Wednesday
A 991mb low tonight over eastern Iowa is forecast to deepen to
around 985mb once it reaches the central part of Lake Michigan on
Wednesday. The passing of this strong low will lead to impressive
8-10mb/3 hr pressure rises, and a very strong pressure gradient
of nearly 20 mb from Chicago to Des Moines. For these reasons had
enough confidence to upgrade the High Wind Watch to a High Wind
Warning for the entire area for west to northwest wind gusts of 50
to 60 mph.
At this time, the strongest winds may occur over the SE half
of the forecast area where the 850mb flow is forecast to be 55+ kts.
Confidence on winds reaching 55 mph is a little lower in the NW
because momentum mix down may not be quite as strong. The
pressure gradient quickly slackens late in the afternoon and into
the early evening. Thus, the warning, which is in effect until 6
PM, may be cancelled early - especially in the west and central
sections of the CWA.
.LONG TERM...(Wednesday Night through Tuesday)
ISSUED AT 257 PM CST Tue Nov 26 2019
Key Messages:
1) Brief Weather Break for Thanksgiving Daytime
2) Active Weather Returns Friday and Saturday with Rain/Snow, and
potential for isolated storms
3) Wrap-around snow showers possible Sunday
4) Quiet Weather Returns Monday
Wednesday Night and Thanksgiving Day...
Storm that will be affecting our area in the short term period will
be exiting the region Wednesday Night. Strong winds gusts initially
around 30-35 kts will decrease to around 10 kts Thursday morning, as
surface high pressure ridging quickly builds over the Midwest. This
should allow for a quiet and cool Thanksgiving Day, with afternoon
highs expected to be in the low to mid 30s.
Thursday Night through Sunday...
Active weather returns once again post Thanksgiving, and brings some
potential for travel impacts across the area.
Thursday night, southern periphery of a deep 500 mb trough over the
western CONUS will eject into the western Great Plains, and will
strengthen into a closed low as it treks over South Dakota and
Nebraska Saturday afternoon. As it makes its progression eastward,
WAA will rapidly increase across the region, leading to the
development of precipitation beginning Thursday Night and Friday.
Starting out, forecast soundings from the GFS/NAM/ECMWF hint at the
potential for some mixed precipitation including some light snow
showers. However, there is also a bit of dry air to work with, so
precipitation chances don't look to be too high until we get to
Friday morning. Latest NAM is the most aggressive model with regards
to QPF across our area during this period, but think this is
overdone. In fact, latest GFS/ECMWF have gone completely dry through
12z Friday. With this potential there though, have included some
chance of POPs, primarily west of the Mississippi.
Once saturation occurs by late Friday morning, precipitation should
change over to all rain as temperatures aloft warm well above
freezing. Latest suite of model guidance hints at the best potential
for widespread rainfall Friday night and Saturday morning, when WAA
and isentropic upglide will be strongest across the area with a
passing warm front. There is also a low potential for some isolated
thunderstorms if any instability develops above the warm layer aloft.
In addition to the rainfall, winds will also be on the increase as a
surface low develops and quickly strengthens over northeast Colorado
and southwest Nebraska. Winds could be pretty gusty at times Saturday
morning, and again Sunday afternoon and evening once the surface low
passes. At this time, guidance keeps winds below advisory criteria,
but this trend will continue to be monitored.
The surface low will pass across the area Sunday, allowing colder
air to build into the region. This should allow the entire vertical
of the atmosphere to fall to near to below freezing, causing
precipitation to change to all snow. Any accumulation will be minor.
Monday on...
Early next week, broad high pressure returns and looks to keep us
dry. It will be cool as temperatures average near to below normal.
&&
.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Wednesday Evening)
ISSUED AT 617 PM CST Tue Nov 26 2019
An intense low pressure system moving across Iowa tonight will
result showers and thunderstorms, low level wind shear and fog
tonight, then very strong winds Wednesday. IFR conditions due to
low ceilings and fog are likely ahead of a warm front that will
lift northward through the area this evening. Scattered showers
and a few thunderstorms will be possible ahead of this front and a
cold front that follows later tonight. This may bring improvement
to prevailing MVFR and possibly periods of VFR. Strong winds of
40 to 50 kts from the south, then southwest in the 1000 to 2000 ft
agl layer will result in low level wind shear at most sites until
around 09Z. Westerly surface winds behind the cold front will
increase to 30 kts by mid morning with gusts over 50 kts possible
through midday. Winds will likely diminish considerably Wednesday
afternoon, which is not currently reflected in the TAFs due to
the complex weather tonight.
&&
.DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IA...High Wind Warning from 6 AM to 6 PM CST Wednesday for Clinton-
Delaware-Dubuque-Jackson-Jones.
High Wind Warning from 3 AM to 6 PM CST Wednesday for Benton-
Buchanan-Cedar-Des Moines-Henry IA-Iowa-Jefferson-Johnson-
Keokuk-Lee-Linn-Louisa-Muscatine-Scott-Van Buren-Washington.
IL...High Wind Warning from 6 AM to 6 PM CST Wednesday for Carroll-Jo
Daviess-Stephenson-Whiteside.
High Wind Warning from 3 AM to 6 PM CST Wednesday for Bureau-
Hancock-Henderson-Henry IL-McDonough-Mercer-Putnam-Rock
Island-Warren.
MO...High Wind Warning from 3 AM to 6 PM CST Wednesday for Clark-
Scotland.
&&
SYNOPSIS...Uttech
SHORT TERM...Uttech
LONG TERM...Speck
AVIATION...SheetsHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 316 PM CST Tue Nov 26 2019 IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007- 009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-272130- 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- 316 PM CST Tue Nov 26 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...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT Showers and thunderstorms are possible across the area this evening and tonight. Some of these storms could become severe between 10 PM and 3 AM with the main threats being isolated brief tornadoes and isolated damaging winds. There is a slight risk for severe storms in the counties south of Interstate 80 and a marginal risk south of highway 30. A High Wind Warning is in effect late tonight and tomorrow for sustained west to northwest winds of 25 to 40 mph and gusts of 50 to 60 mph. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY Strong winds will be ongoing Wednesday morning and expected to last through most of the day. Sustained wind of 30 to 40 mph looks likely with gusts as high as 60 mph possible. Thursday afternoon and Thursday night: Some light rain and snow are possible. Any snow accumulation will be minor. Friday afternoon through Saturday: Another strong storm system will move into the northern Plains. Widespread rain with some thunderstorms are expected across the outlook area. It is too early to determine the severe weather or heavy rain potential. Saturday night and Sunday: The storm system will track across Iowa and into the Ohio Valley. Periodic light snow or snow showers are expected but any accumulations appear minor at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter and amateur radio activation may be needed tonight. Uttech/Speck
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
929 PM CST Tue Nov 26 2019
ILC131-161-IAC139-163-270415-
Rock Island-Mercer-Scott-Muscatine-
929 PM CST Tue Nov 26 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN ROCK ISLAND...
WESTERN MERCER...SOUTHWESTERN SCOTT AND EASTERN MUSCATINE COUNTIES
UNTIL 1015 PM CST...
At 929 PM CST, a strong thunderstorm was located near Mannon, or 10
miles northeast of Wapello, moving northeast at 40 mph.
Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Davenport, Moline, Rock Island, Bettendorf, East Moline, Durant,
Silvis, Milan, Walcott, Blue Grass, Buffalo, Andalusia, Millersburg,
New Boston, Keithsburg, Reynolds, Eliza, Joy, Riverdale and Oak
Grove.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 74 in Iowa between mile markers 3 and 5.
Interstate 80 in Iowa between mile markers 279 and 293.
Interstate 74 in Illinois between mile markers 1 and 5.
Interstate 280 between mile markers 1 and 18.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
LAT...LON 4116 9099 4117 9101 4116 9103 4121 9107
4124 9111 4129 9109 4130 9107 4133 9107
4134 9108 4160 9091 4160 9090 4162 9090
4170 9085 4151 9041 4111 9096
TIME...MOT...LOC 0329Z 216DEG 36KT 4125 9101
GibbsSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
950 PM CST Tue Nov 26 2019
ILC161-195-IAC045-163-270430-
Rock Island-Whiteside-Scott-Clinton-
950 PM CST Tue Nov 26 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EASTERN ROCK ISLAND...WEST
CENTRAL WHITESIDE...SCOTT AND SOUTHEASTERN CLINTON COUNTIES UNTIL
1030 PM CST...
At 950 PM CST, a strong thunderstorm was located near Blue Grass, or
near Davenport, moving northeast at 40 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Davenport, Moline, Rock Island, Bettendorf, Clinton, East Moline,
Silvis, Eldridge, DeWitt, Milan, Camanche, Le Claire, Hampton, Port
Byron, Walcott, Blue Grass, Buffalo, Andalusia, Rapids City and
Albany.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 74 in Iowa between mile markers 1 and 5.
Interstate 80 in Iowa between mile markers 281 and 306.
Interstate 80 in Illinois between mile markers 1 and 2.
Interstate 74 in Illinois between mile markers 1 and 5.
Interstate 280 between mile markers 1 and 18.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
LAT...LON 4137 9061 4147 9079 4159 9078 4160 9089
4196 9058 4194 9030 4173 9009
TIME...MOT...LOC 0350Z 216DEG 36KT 4154 9069
GibbsSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
1005 PM CST Tue Nov 26 2019
ILC067-IAC111-177-MOC045-199-270445-
Hancock-Van Buren-Lee-Scotland-Clark-
1005 PM CST Tue Nov 26 2019
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT WESTERN HANCOCK...
SOUTHERN VAN BUREN...LEE...NORTHEASTERN SCOTLAND AND CLARK COUNTIES
UNTIL 1045 PM CST...
At 1005 PM CST, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Cantril to Wyaconda to Lewistown.
Movement was northeast at 50 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail are possible with these
storms.
Locations impacted include...
Fort Madison, Keokuk, Kahoka, Nauvoo, Hamilton, Warsaw, West Point,
Donnellson, Montrose, Wayland, Milton, Bonaparte, Wyaconda, Cantril,
Alexandria, Franklin, St. Paul, Luray, Granger and St. Francisville.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
LAT...LON 4020 9150 4025 9150 4026 9193 4034 9195
4061 9218 4066 9218 4081 9150 4081 9141
4079 9136 4062 9133 4054 9141 4053 9138
4050 9136 4045 9138 4035 9134 4020 9135
TIME...MOT...LOC 0405Z 218DEG 45KT 4065 9211 4040 9190 4009 9183
GibbsPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
1027 PM CST TUE NOV 26 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1023 PM HAIL CLARK CITY 40.42N 91.69W
11/26/2019 E0.25 INCH CLARK MO TRAINED SPOTTER
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
1031 PM CST Tue Nov 26 2019
ILC067-109-270515-
Hancock-McDonough-
1031 PM CST Tue Nov 26 2019
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT EASTERN HANCOCK AND WESTERN
MCDONOUGH COUNTIES UNTIL 1115 PM CST...
At 1031 PM CST, a strong thunderstorm was located near Carthage,
moving northeast at 45 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Carthage, Colchester, Blandinsville, Augusta, Bowen, West Point,
Ferris, Tennessee, Sciota, Fandon, Burnside, Colmar, Adrian,
Plymouth, Denver, Fountain Green, Elvaston, Basco, Bentley and
Stillwell.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They can relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in the Quad Cities.
LAT...LON 4020 9131 4049 9129 4062 9075 4028 9076
4028 9091 4019 9091
TIME...MOT...LOC 0431Z 241DEG 37KT 4034 9113
GibbsPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
1050 PM CST TUE NOV 26 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1035 PM TSTM WND GST 1 WNW KEOKUK 40.42N 91.43W
11/26/2019 E60 MPH LEE IA TRAINED SPOTTER
RELAYED BY DES MOINES CO EMA. SPOTTER
ESTIMATED 55 TO 65 MPH WINDS ALONG HIGHWAY
61 BYPASS NEAR KEOKUK. TIME ESTIMATED.
1035 PM TSTM WND GST 1 E KEOKUK AIRPORT 40.47N 91.42W
11/26/2019 M58 MPH LEE IA AWOS
AWOS STATION KEOK KEOKUK ARPT.
&&The Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 78 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 05:15 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Law enforcement reported trees down on the northeast side of Oquawka. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
An NWS Storm Survey determined that straight-line thunderstorm winds caused extensive damage in Granville, Illinois during the early morning hours. The winds snapped power poles, uprooted and snapped trees, and caused roof damage at several homes and business. The maximum winds were estimated between 90 to 100 MPH. The damage path was approximately 1 mile long and one half mile wide.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Illinois in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Illinois, November 2019
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: 863671, 863673.