Low pressure tracking from southwest Missouri during the afternoon of January 25th to southern Ohio by the morning of January 26th brought a mixed bag of wintry precipitation to the region. While locations along and south of I-70 saw all rain, a mixture of freezing rain and snow was observed further north across the heart of central Illinois.
Every event with a place to put it; 3 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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.
Low pressure tracking from southwest Missouri during the afternoon of January 25th to southern Ohio by the morning of January 26th brought a mixed bag of wintry precipitation to the region. While locations along and south of I-70 saw all rain, a mixture of freezing rain and snow was observed further north across the heart of central Illinois. Snow and ice amounts generally remained minimal: however, areas along and north of a Galesburg to Lacon line picked up 1 to 4 inches of snow. Even higher snow totals were focused further northwest from eastern Iowa into northwest Illinois.
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 Jan 25, 3:09 PM CST, 2 hours 51 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 309 PM CST Mon Jan 25 2021 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Tuesday) ISSUED AT 309 PM CST Mon Jan 25 2021 Afternoon analysis depicts an expansive surface low centered over southwest Missouri as of 3 PM with parts of central Illinois positioned in the system's dry slot. Some light rain north of the system's warm front continues to impact parts of southeast Illinois, though this will be on it's way out in the next hour or so. Some light flurries/freezing drizzle are noted across locations along/west of I-55 as of 3 PM associated with some isentropic upglide on the 290-300K surfaces. Further north and west, a wintry mix of snow and freezing rain in the system's deformation zone is ongoing over northern Missouri, Iowa, and parts of northern Illinois. This is starting to inch into our far northern counties late this afternoon and will continue to progress eastward into this evening as the low lifts into the Ohio River Valley. Still anticipating the highest snow amounts to clip far northern parts of the forecast warning area. A Winter Storm Warning continues for Knox, Stark, and Marshall counties with generally 3 to 6 inches of wet, heavy snow expected, though occasional freezing rain could mix in at times. In addition, wind gusts up to 35 mph may further complicate things in regards to sporadic power outages, though due to the heavier, wetter nature of the snow not expecting much blowing or drifting. Further south a Winter Weather Advisory remains present for areas generally along and north of I-72. 1 to 3 inches of snow with light ice accumulations will be possible mainly along/northwest of the Illinois River. South of the river, up to a tenth or two of ice accumulation and light snow are possible. The brunt of the wintry precipitation is expected to occur tonight, though light snow and/or freezing drizzle looks to persist into Tuesday as the system lifts further northeast and cyclonic flow remains situated aloft. Cannot rule out some light Lake Michigan enhanced flurries later Tuesday into Tuesday night for east-central Illinois as winds shift northerly on the backside of the low. Additional chances for snow arrive Wednesday as an upper wave slides over the country's midsection. Snow amounts look light with this next system with most locations likely receiving only a few tenths to half an inch of accumulation. Thereafter, Canadian high pressure sinks southward going into Wednesday night, bringing much colder temperatures to the region. Overnight lows on Wednesday look to range from the single digits to teens, which is 10 to 15 degrees below our normal values. With the high positioning itself directly overhead, winds are expected to be light. However, any puff of wind will make it feel even colder with windchills nearing zero degrees mainly across northern locations. && .LONG TERM...(Tuesday night through Monday) ISSUED AT 309 PM CST Mon Jan 25 2021 After a cool start on Thursday, temperatures should rebound quickly as ridging develops over the central U.S. ahead of a digging west coast system. Temps at 850 mb rebound 15-20C between 12Z Thursday and the weekend. By Saturday temperatures should be 5-10F above normal for late Janaury. Main lobe of energy from western trough weakens and advects eastward Saturday with good connection with Gulf moisture, but with temperatures mostly above freezing, little in the way of snow/ice accumulation appears likely at this time. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Tuesday afternoon) Issued at 1144 AM CST Mon Jan 25 2021 Complex occluded system over the central U.S. will continue to bring a mix of precipitation and IFR conditions across the terminals into tonight. Ceilings are wavering between IFR and MVFR for the most part. A lull is expected to develop this afternoon with possible ceilings climbing, before the next wave comes in after 21z bringing lowering ceilings and a return to IFR conditions. && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory until noon CST Tuesday for ILZ029-031- 036>038-040>048. Winter Storm Warning until noon CST Tuesday for ILZ027-028-030. Winter Weather Advisory until midnight CST tonight for ILZ049>055-057. && SHORT TERM...NMB LONG TERM...Barker AVIATION...Barker
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 248 PM CST Mon Jan 25 2021 ILZ027-028-030-262100- Knox-Marshall-Stark- 248 PM CST Mon Jan 25 2021 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TUESDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT... A winter storm will bring a wintry mix of precipitation, with snow moving in by this afternoon, possibly mixing with sleet and light freezing rain at times later today into Tuesday morning. Snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches, with light ice accumulations are expected in Knox, Stark and Marshall counties. Northeast winds gusting 25 to 35 mph this evening could cause some blowing snow. Hazardous travel is expected from this evening through Tuesday morning. Take precaution while driving. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY... Moderate to heavy rains are possible Saturday afternoon into Saturday night with rainfall around 1 inch possible. The rain could be mixed with snow at times. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated through tonight. However snow and ice measurements would be appreciated. ILZ029-031-036>038-040>048-262100- Cass-Champaign-De Witt-Fulton-Logan-Mason-McLean-Menard-Peoria- Piatt-Schuyler-Tazewell-Vermilion-Woodford- 248 PM CST Mon Jan 25 2021 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TUESDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Illinois, east central Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT... Mixed precipitation will lift northward across the area during today and continue into Tuesday morning. Between 1 and 3 inches of snow is possible north of I-72. Much of the area should see around a tenth inch of ice with two tenths of an inch locally between the IL river and I-72. Roads will become slick. Take precaution while driving. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY... Moderate to heavy rains are possible Saturday afternoon into Saturday night with rainfall around 1 inch possible. The rain could be mixed with snow at times. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated through tonight. However snow and ice measurements would be appreciated. ILZ049>055-057-262100- Christian-Douglas-Edgar-Macon-Morgan-Moultrie-Sangamon-Scott- 248 PM CST Mon Jan 25 2021 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Illinois, east central Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT... Mixed precipitation consisting of freezing rain, sleet and snow will occur this evening and could linger into the early morning hours. Snow amounts will be less than half an inch, with an additional few hundredths of an inch of ice expected overnight. Roads could be slick tonight through Tuesday morning. Take precaution while driving. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY... Moderate to heavy rains are possible Saturday afternoon into Saturday night with rainfall near 1 inch possible. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated through tonight. However, snow and ice measurements would be appreciated. ILZ056-061>063-066>068-071>073-262100- Clark-Clay-Coles-Crawford-Cumberland-Effingham-Jasper-Lawrence- Richland-Shelby- 248 PM CST Mon Jan 25 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Illinois, east central Illinois and southeast Illinois. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT... No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY... Moderate to heavy rains are possible Saturday afternoon into Saturday night with rainfall near 1 inch possible. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not anticipated through tonight. However, snow and ice measurements would be appreciated. Roberson
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
108 PM CST MON JAN 25 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1106 AM SNOW 2 SSE DECATUR 39.83N 88.91W
01/25/2021 M1.7 INCH MACON IL BROADCAST MEDIA
&&
MJAPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
110 PM CST MON JAN 25 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1106 AM SNOW SPRINGFIELD 39.80N 89.64W
01/25/2021 M1.0 INCH SANGAMON IL CO-OP OBSERVER
&&
MJAPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL
521 PM CST MON JAN 25 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0500 PM FREEZING RAIN 2 NE LINCOLN 40.17N 89.34W
01/25/2021 E0.05 INCH LOGAN IL NWS EMPLOYEE
LIGHT GLAZE ON ELEVATED SURFACES
&&
25The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
3 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
Observers across northern Knox County reported 2 to 4 inches of snow...including 4.0 in Altona. Roads became hazardous and snow-covered.
Observers across Stark County reported 1 to 3 inches of snow. Roads became hazardous and snow-covered.
Observers across Marshall County reported 1 to 3 inches of snow...including 1.0 in Lacon. Roads became hazardous and snow-covered.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Illinois in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Illinois, January 2021
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: 936685, 936686, 936687.