Tornadoes and Hail in Illinois, May 3, 2021

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Illinois, May 3, 2021
Start: 2021-05-03T15:55
End: 2021-05-03T19:29
Location: Illinois

May 3, 2021 · NWS ILX · 14 events in 6 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: $50,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 14

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 ILX wrote it up.

A Mesoscale Convective Vortex (MCV) generated by a large cluster of convection across Kansas during the pre-dawn hours tracked eastward into central Illinois by the late afternoon and evening of May 3rd. Despite weak instability and deep-layer synoptic shear, the MCV was able to enhance the low-level shear and trigger a broken line of convection. One of the cells on the east-southeast flank of the MCV became a supercell and tracked across central Illinois from Cass County southeastward to Coles County before dissipating after dark. That particular storm produced five brief tornado touchdowns and hail as large as half dollars along its path. Another thunderstorm cell further south dropped 2-inch diameter hail in southern Christian County.

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 Lincoln, IL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 3, 1:22 PM CST, 2 hours 33 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 3, 1:22 PM CST, 2 hours 33 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
222 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

.SYNOPSIS...
Issued at 222 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

A frontal system tracking southeast across the state will bring
the threat of strong to severe thunderstorms into this evening.
Rain showers and a few thunderstorms will linger through Tuesday,
especially for areas east of the IL River. Cooler than normal
temperatures will continue into midweek.

&&

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Tuesday)
ISSUED AT 222 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

Forecast challenge in the short term remains convective trends
through this evening. Latest satellite trend show increasing
sunshine over west central IL, ahead of a shortwave/remnant MCV
tracking east through northeast MO. This should allow for
continued destabilization through early this evening, and with
increasing wind fields aloft due to the approach of the shortwave,
deep layer shear will grow to around 45 kt. Ascent associated
with the MCV and weak surface wave should allow scattered
convection late this afternoon and evening, with CAMs continuing
to focus on areas north of a Jacksonville to Paris line for
discrete cells and line segments. Damaging wind gusts will be the
main threat, but the tornado threat is non- zero due to locally
enhanced effective SRH downstream of the MCV. Expect a weakening
trend as we head into mid evening with increasing stabilization
when the storms track into far eastern and southeast IL. SPC has
removed the enhanced risk for southern IL tonight, keeping the
entire CWA in a slight risk.

Will likely see a lull in precip late tonight as the surface front
pushes into the Ohio Valley. However additional low pressure
development along the front to our south should send another round
of rain with embedded thunderstorms northeast, primarily affecting
areas east of I-55 on Tuesday.

&&

.LONG TERM...(Tuesday night through Monday)
ISSUED AT 222 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

Wednesday will see a break between systems, as a brief period of
zonal flow aloft with high pressure at the surface shifts across
the Midwest. While the airmass remains cool, a return of sunshine
should boost highs into the low and mid 60s. A shortwave and weak
surface reflection moving through on Thursday will bring scattered
showers and cooler temperatures. Northwest flow behind this system
will keep seasonably cool air around for Friday. The active
pattern will see a warm front develop to our southwest Friday
night and track northeast into the area on Saturday. This appears
to be a more substantial system with a potential for heavy rain
and strong storms, depending on how the details play out next
weekend.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Tuesday afternoon)
Issued at 1211 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

Ceilings have recently risen to MVFR, and will likely see a
window of VFR this afternoon. However a cold front pushing in from
the northwest will bring scattered thunderstorms for the late
afternoon and evening and have tempo groups for this to MVFR,
though brief LIFR and gusty/damaging winds are possible if a
stronger storm hits a terminal. Several hours of MVFR ceilings are
likely behind the storms, before ceilings lower to IFR overnight.
These may persist towards midday Tuesday with some guidance
raising ceilings to MVFR by late morning. Winds outside of storms
will generally be near 10 kt from the southwest this afternoon
and veering west behind the front, then northwest later this
evening.

&&

.ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NONE.
&&

SYNOPSIS...25
SHORT TERM...25
LONG TERM...25
AVIATION...25

Hazardous weather outlook, May 3, 2:15 PM CST, 1 hour 40 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
315 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

ILZ027>031-036-037-040-041-041100-
Fulton-Knox-Marshall-Mason-Peoria-Schuyler-Stark-Tazewell-
Woodford-
315 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central
Illinois and west central Illinois.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT...

Thunderstorms are likely through sunset as a weather system moves
east across the area through sunset. These storms could be
severe, with hail 1 to 2 inches in diameter and damaging winds of
60 to 70 mph. Isolated tornadoes are also possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY...

Isolated thunderstorms are possible Thursday afternoon and again
from Saturday afternoon through Sunday. The risk of severe storms
is low during this time, though lightning hazards exist.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will be needed through 7 pm.

ILZ038-042>057-061-041100-
Cass-Champaign-Christian-Coles-De Witt-Douglas-Edgar-Logan-Macon-
McLean-Menard-Morgan-Moultrie-Piatt-Sangamon-Scott-Shelby-
Vermilion-
315 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central
Illinois, east central Illinois and west central Illinois.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT...

Thunderstorms are likely across central Illinois as a weather
system moves east across the area late this afternoon through
mid evening. These storms could be severe, with hail 1 to 2 inch
diameter and damaging winds of 60 to 70 mph. A brief tornado
touchdown is also possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY...

Isolated thunderstorms are possible on Tuesday, Thursday
afternoon and again from Saturday afternoon through Sunday.
The risk of severe storms is low during this time, though
lightning hazards exist.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will be needed between 6 and 10 pm.

ILZ062-063-066>068-071>073-041100-
Clark-Clay-Crawford-Cumberland-Effingham-Jasper-Lawrence-Richland-
315 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of east central
Illinois and southeast Illinois.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT...

Thunderstorms are likely across southeast Illinois tonight as a
weather system moves east across the area. These storms could be
severe, with hail 1 to 2 inch diameter, damaging winds of 60 to
70 mph and isolated tornadoes.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY...

Isolated thunderstorms are possible on Tuesday and Tuesday
evening, and again Thursday afternoon. More isolated thunderstorms
are possible Saturday afternoon through Sunday. Severe storm risk
is low during this time, though lightning hazards exist.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be required between 8 pm and 1 am tonight.

07

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 3, 2:31 PM CST, 1 hour 24 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
331 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

ILZ027-032100-
Knox-
331 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR KNOX COUNTY UNTIL 400 PM CDT...

At 330 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Millersburg to near Burgess to near
Kirkwood. Movement was east at 45 mph.

Pea size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with these
storms.

Locations impacted include...
Galesburg, Abingdon, Knoxville, Wataga, Oneida, Altona, Victoria,
Maquon, Rio, Gilson, East Galesburg, Henderson, Galesburg Airport,
Delong and Dahinda.

This includes Interstate 74 between mile markers 34 and 60.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for
west central Illinois.

LAT...LON 4115 9007 4114 9007 4080 9013 4077 9044
      4115 9044
TIME...MOT...LOC 2030Z 258DEG 39KT 4126 9077 4107 9064 4086 9069

37

Special weather statement, May 3, 3:10 PM CST, 45 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
410 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

ILZ036-040-032145-
Schuyler-Fulton-
410 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN FULTON AND
NORTHWESTERN SCHUYLER COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM CDT...

At 410 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Littleton, or 7 miles northwest of Rushville, moving east at 30 mph.

Pea size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Rushville, Littleton, Camden and Ray.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for
west central Illinois.

LAT...LON 4028 9080 4028 9037 4012 9038 4010 9070
      4011 9071 4011 9079
TIME...MOT...LOC 2110Z 265DEG 27KT 4019 9066

37

Special weather statement, May 3, 3:30 PM CST, 25 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
430 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

ILZ036-040-041-032200-
Mason-Schuyler-Fulton-
430 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN FULTON...
NORTHEASTERN SCHUYLER AND WESTERN MASON COUNTIES UNTIL 500 PM CDT...

At 430 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Vermont, or 12 miles northeast of Rushville, moving east at 35 mph.

Penny size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Havana, Lewistown, Astoria, Vermont, Ipava, Bath, Marbletown, Bluff
City, Chatauqua Park, Ray and Duncan Mills.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for
central and west central Illinois.

LAT...LON 4028 9052 4028 9045 4033 9045 4034 9044
      4042 9004 4013 9003 4018 9053
TIME...MOT...LOC 2130Z 266DEG 31KT 4026 9042

37

The radar

The Lincoln radar (KILX), 88 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:53 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 hail, 5 tornado, 3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Cass

When: May 3, 3:55 PM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where: Cass County, 3 mi SSE of Bluff Spgs
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 39.940, -90.328

Tornado, Cass

When: May 3, 3:57 PM CST to 3:59 PM CST
Where: Cass County, 2.63 mi ENE of Arenzville to 3 mi ENE of Arenzville
Rating: EFU
Path length: 0.5 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.885, -90.324

A weak tornado touched down in a field about 2.5 miles east-northeast of Arenzville just north of Crum Road at 4:57 PM CDT. The tornado tracked southeastward near the intersection of Crum Road and Thornley Lane and quickly dissipated by 4:59 PM CDT. No damage occurred.

Hail, Cass

When: May 3, 4:04 PM CST to 4:09 PM CST
Where: Cass County, Virginia
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.950, -90.220

Several cars were damaged by the hail.

Tornado, Cass

When: May 3, 4:05 PM CST to 4:08 PM CST
Where: Cass County, 2.97 mi S of Virginia to 3.71 mi WSW of Philadelphia
Rating: EFU
Path length: 1.48 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.907, -90.212

A weak tornado touched down in a field 3 miles south of Virginia just east of IL-78 at 5:05 PM CDT. The tornado tracked southeastward and crossed near the intersection of Hall Road and Conover Road before quickly dissipating by 5:08 PM CDT. No damage occurred.

Hail, Cass

When: May 3, 4:15 PM CST to 4:20 PM CST
Where: Cass County, 4 mi WSW of Newmansville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 39.998, -90.140

Tornado, Sangamon

When: May 3, 4:27 PM CST to 4:28 PM CST
Where: Sangamon County, 1.72 mi WNW of Pleasant Plains to 1.43 mi WNW of Pleasant Plains
Rating: EFU
Path length: 0.29 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.880, -89.950

A weak tornado touched down in a field about 1.4 miles west-northwest of Pleasant Plains just south of IL-125 at 5:27 PM CDT. The tornado tracked southeastward across Yankee Town Road and quickly dissipated by 5:28 PM CDT. No damage occurred.

Hail, Menard

When: May 3, 4:32 PM CST to 4:37 PM CST
Where: Menard County, 3 mi S of Petersburg
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 39.977, -89.850

Thunderstorm Wind, Menard

When: May 3, 4:32 PM CST to 4:37 PM CST
Where: Menard County, 3 mi S of Petersburg
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 39.977, -89.850

Several power poles were blown into a field.

Tornado, Sangamon

When: May 3, 5:10 PM CST to 5:11 PM CST
Where: Sangamon County, 1.03 mi E of Dawson to 1.26 mi WSW of Buffalo
Rating: EFU
Path length: 0.43 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.848, -89.451

A weak tornado touched down in a field about 0.8 miles southeast of Dawson just north of I-72 at 6:10 PM CDT. The tornado tracked southeastward and quickly dissipated by 6:11 PM CDT. No damage occurred.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sangamon

When: May 3, 5:12 PM CST to 5:17 PM CST
Where: Sangamon County, 3 mi N of Dawson
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.893, -89.470

Power poles were blown down.

Tornado, Sangamon

When: May 3, 5:14 PM CST to 5:15 PM CST
Where: Sangamon County, 1.57 mi WNW of Mechanicsburg to 0.94 mi WNW of Mechanicsburg
Rating: EFU
Path length: 0.63 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.827, -89.428

A weak tornado touched down in a field about 2 miles northwest of Mechanicsburg at 6:14 PM CDT. The tornado tracked southeastward and quickly dissipated by 6:15 PM CDT. No damage occurred.

Hail, Macon

When: May 3, 6:18 PM CST to 6:23 PM CST
Where: Macon County, Macon
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.700, -89.000

Hail, Christian

When: May 3, 6:28 PM CST to 6:33 PM CST
Where: Christian County, 5 mi WSW of Rosamond
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.352, -89.257

Thunderstorm Wind, Coles

When: May 3, 7:24 PM CST to 7:29 PM CST
Where: Coles County, Charleston
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.480, -88.180

A tree was blown down.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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 2021 Every state in 2021 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Illinois, 2021 Warnings in Illinois, May 2021

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: 950835, 950851, 950837, 950852, 950839, 950853, 950840, 950847, 950855, 950848, 950856, 950842, 950844, 950849.