A storm system lifting northeastward across Iowa brought severe rounds of showers and thunderstorms to northwest Illinois during the late morning and afternoon hours. One storm produced nickel size hail as it move across Adair in McDonough County.
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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 storm system lifting northeastward across Iowa brought severe rounds of showers and thunderstorms to northwest Illinois during the late morning and afternoon hours. One storm produced nickel size hail as it move across Adair in McDonough County.
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 Oct 24, 2:10 PM CST, 15 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
310 PM CDT Sun Oct 24 2021
.SYNOPSIS...
Issued at 305 PM CDT Sun Oct 24 2021
Latest sfc analysis showing sub-1000 mb low just northwest of the
Kansas City area, with pressure falls axis increasing along the
IA/MO border showing the way of cyclone progression. The main warm
front is draped east to southeast of the low center, placing it a
couple counties south of the southern DVN CWA. Elevated convection
has recently increased acrs the southwest half of the CWA. Latest
MRMS totals which seem in line from several spotter/observer reports
suggest widespread 0.75 to 1.75+ inches of rainfall so far generally
along and south of the I80 corridor. The heaviest axis from
Fairfield to Keosauqua IA, over to Monmouth IL and down to east of
Macomb.
&&
.SHORT TERM...(This Evening through Monday Morning)
ISSUED AT 305 PM CDT Sun Oct 24 2021
Tonight...Storms: Will have to watch the southern third to quarter
for slightly elevated severe storms thru mid evening with hail the
main concern. Passing bouts of locally heavy rainfall from these
cells adding to the rainfall totals and rain run-off, but being
elevated in a speedy LLJ flow prevents them from "camping" out over
one location long. But the watch will still have to be on, as the
current low projection/extrapolation path suggests the warm front
triple point may get dangerously close to the southern CWA around a
22z to 02z or so passage window. A supercell being able to get sfc
rooted along this high shear feature will be problematic and good
tornadic development potential. Otherwise, again mainly embedded
higher based storm cells with at least a small hail potential up to
the Hwy 30 corridor through mid evening.
Rainfall: Ongoing 1.3 to 1.5 PWAT feed to the lee of, and wrapping
around the low to mid level cyclone center will produce def zone
like rains, and embedded thunder through at least late evening
before falling out overnight. Latest saturation and lift analysis
suggest another 0.75 to 1.25 inch of rainfall possible thru 12z
Monday, but mainly acrs the northern 3/4's of the CWA. Leeside
effects of mid level low may produce the highest amounts tonight
from the Quad City area east to Princeton IL and Sterling. But the
real heavy rain swath tonight looks to be shaping up in eastward
migrating LLJ THTA-E feed and convergence zone from Peoria IL to
Chicago and northern Indiana. Will keep the Flash Flood Watch going
of course for still the chance for isolated flash flooding and urban
ponding in enhanced run-off locations, but most areas to continue to
get beneficial soaking rains tonight.
Winds: Developing/tightening LLVL pressure gradient on northwest
flank of the passing sfc low will drive strong northeast to north
winds this evening and overnight acrs the northern 2/3's of the DVN
CWA. There is potential for sustained 20 to near 30 MPH, and gusts
to 40-45 MPH making for close to advisory level winds. Can't rule
out the eventual need to issue a wind headline on the fly as gusts
evolve and some chance for gravity wave enhancement off low center,
but for now will bank on the time of day/nocturnal layering
processes to prevent higher end winds translating to the sfc.
Late night low temps ranging from the upper 30s in the far
northwest, to mid 40s in the southeast.
.LONG TERM...(Monday through next Sunday)
ISSUED AT 305 PM CDT Sun Oct 24 2021
Monday and Monday night...Cyclone system continues to fill and pull
eastward of the area, with brisk north winds and some lingering wrap
around rain in the east through mid morning. Clear out and cold
advection may produce more frost or near freezing conditions by Tue
morning especially along and north of I80, but these areas already
had frost and some freeze this past Saturday morning. But areas
south of I80 may still be suspect, and with lows in the mid to upper
30s acrs those areas, will advertise at least some patchy frost
there. Patchy fog also possible before dawn Tuesday morning in some
spots.
Tuesday through next Sunday...Omega sharp upper ridging still on
track to press eastward acrs the mid CONUS for fair wx/near
seasonable temps Tue into early Wed. Looking further ahead, the
latest suite of medium range ensembles still vary some on handling
the next larger scale upstream trof, with the GFS still further
north, more progressive and wetter for the local CWA with evolving
closed upper low swirling moderate to locally heavy rain bands acrs
the area Wed through Thu. Then the stacked low is shunted acrs the
OH RVR Valley, with lingering light showers and blustery north winds
for Friday. Still prefer the slower, more blocked ECMWF which is a
bit further north with it's closed low but still south of the GFS.
Not as wet and slower arrival, the Euro spirals light to moderate
rain pockets Thu into Friday with enough breaks to allow seasonable
high temps. Will have to assess upper jet trends and later model
runs, but still favor the ECMWF at this time. If the closed cyclone
can meander off to the east/get acted upon by progressive northern
GRT LKS trof, ridging in it's wake may provide a decent late October
Halloween weekend. Then longer range signs of a cold push from
southwest of the Hudson Bay region and acrs the upper Midwest/GRT LKS
for early next week.
&&
.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Monday Afternoon)
ISSUED AT 1120 AM CDT Sun Oct 24 2021
Persistent rain and low clouds associated with the approaching
system will lead to reduced cloud ceilings and visibility.
Currently, most locations are seeing IFR to LIFR conditions due
to very low cigs. This will continue through the night as the
system slowly pushes east in our south. Cloud conditions aren't
expected to improve until midday tomorrow. Winds will increase
through the day, shifting northeast to northwest overnight. Winds
will stick around 15-25 KTs, with gusts upwards to 35 KTs
possible. Not much change is expected in the wind speed overnight
and through tomorrow morning.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 1036 AM CDT Sun Oct 24 2021
Various gauge observation networks show generally 1 to 2 inches of
rain has fallen so far in our southern HSA. At this point seeing
just minor well within bank rises on portions of the Des Moines,
Skunk, Fox and La Moine River basins, as the rain has largely been
stratiform in nature precluding excessive rates. Do anticipate more
in the way of convection to develop later this afternoon and evening
across the southern HSA, which will foster heavy rates but likely
result in more localized swaths of rainfall totals of 3-4+ inches.
Given the recent dry antecedent conditions across the south many of
these aforementioned river basins are coming into this rain event
with low streamflows and can take quite a bit of water before
becoming bankfull. The river that is most at risk for the heavier
rainfall totals and flooding at this time is the La Moine River. As
a result, a flood watch remains in effect for the La Moine River at
Colmar. However, if rainfall in the basin is less than expected,
than the watch may be cancelled.
&&
.DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IA...Flash Flood Watch through Monday morning for Des Moines-Henry IA-
Jefferson-Lee-Louisa-Muscatine-Scott-Van Buren-Washington.
IL...Flash Flood Watch through Monday morning for Bureau-Hancock-
Henderson-Henry IL-McDonough-Mercer-Putnam-Rock Island-
Warren.
MO...Flash Flood Watch through Monday morning for Clark-Scotland.
&&
SYNOPSIS...12
SHORT TERM...12
LONG TERM...12
AVIATION...Gunkel
HYDROLOGY...McClureHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 353 AM CDT Sun Oct 24 2021 IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007- 009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-250900- 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- 353 AM CDT Sun Oct 24 2021 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 Widespread showers with isolated thunderstorms are possible today. Heavy rainfall amounts between 2 and 4 inches are expected south of Interstate 80. Rises on areas rivers, creeks, and streams are likley. Flash flooding is possible and a flash flood watch is in effect until Monday morning. Strong to severe storms are also possible this afternoon, especially south of Interstate 80. The main threat from any severe storm would be large hail, lightning, heavy rain and to a lesser degree damaging winds and isolated tornadoes. Strong north winds between 20 and 30 mph, with gusts around 40 mph will be possible tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY Heavy rain is possible again midweek and could cause additional rises on area rivers. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will be needed later this afternoon, especially south of Interstate 80. Rain amounts over 1 inch are appreciated. GROSS/GIBBS
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
131 PM CDT SUN OCT 24 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0130 PM HEAVY RAIN 2 ESE KEOSAUQUA 40.73N 91.92W
10/24/2021 M1.10 INCH VAN BUREN IA TRAINED SPOTTER
RAINFALL SO FAR.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
214 PM CDT SUN OCT 24 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0200 PM HEAVY RAIN BUSHNELL 40.56N 90.51W
10/24/2021 M1.58 INCH MCDONOUGH IL TRAINED SPOTTER
RAINFALL TOTAL AS OF 200 PM. HAS BRIEFLY
STOPPED RAINING.
&&
PSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
215 PM CDT SUN OCT 24 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0200 PM HEAVY RAIN OQUAWKA 40.94N 90.95W
10/24/2021 M1.46 INCH HENDERSON IL TRAINED SPOTTER
RAINFALL TOTAL AS OF 200 PM.
&&
PSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
316 PM CDT SUN OCT 24 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0315 PM HAIL 2 S COLCHESTER 40.40N 90.79W
10/24/2021 M0.25 INCH MCDONOUGH IL TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
PSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
317 PM CDT SUN OCT 24 2021
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0316 PM HEAVY RAIN 1 W INDUSTRY 40.33N 90.64W
10/24/2021 M1.70 INCH MCDONOUGH IL TRAINED SPOTTER
RAINFALL TOTAL THROUGH 300 PM.
&&
PSSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL 317 PM CDT Sun Oct 24 2021 ILZ035-242045- McDonough IL- 317 PM CDT Sun Oct 24 2021 ...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central McDonough County through 345 PM CDT... At 316 PM CDT, trained weather spotters reported a strong thunderstorm near Western Illinois University, or near Macomb, moving northeast at 55 mph. HAZARD...Pea size hail. SOURCE...Trained weather spotters. IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. This strong thunderstorm will be near... Macomb around 320 PM CDT. Bardolph around 325 PM CDT. Bushnell and New Philadelphia around 330 PM CDT. Prairie City around 335 PM CDT. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. && LAT...LON 4034 9078 4045 9084 4062 9045 4047 9045 TIME...MOT...LOC 2016Z 240DEG 49KT 4044 9073 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH McClure
The Lincoln radar (KILX), 118 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:23 UTC.
1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
A trained spotter reported a lot of nickel size hail mixed with pea sized hail and heavy rain.
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, October 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: 991578.