An area of low pressure over north-central Missouri with an associated occluded front arcing southeastward into the Ozarks triggered a band of thunderstorms across central Illinois during the evening of May 25th. Some of the storms produced wind gusts of around 60mph and isolated wind damage across portions of Morgan, Sangamon, and Logan Counties.
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 ILX wrote it up.
An area of low pressure over north-central Missouri with an associated occluded front arcing southeastward into the Ozarks triggered a band of thunderstorms across central Illinois during the evening of May 25th. Some of the storms produced wind gusts of around 60mph and isolated wind damage across portions of Morgan, Sangamon, and Logan Counties.
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 25, 2:37 PM CST, 2 hours 33 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 337 PM CDT Wed May 25 2022 .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 245 PM CDT Wed May 25 2022 A slow-moving weather system will keep plenty of clouds along with scattered showers and a few thunderstorms around central and southeast IL through Friday. More sunshine and much warmer conditions will arrive in time for the holiday weekend with highs in the low to mid 80s on Sunday, and around 90 on Memorial Day and Tuesday. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Thursday) ISSUED AT 310 PM CDT Wed May 25 2022 Mid afternoon surface analysis shows 1000 mb low pressure just south of Kansas City with its warm front arching through se IA into far northern IL just north of I-88. Aloft a 559 dm 500 mb low was over north central OK, while a 589 dm 500 mb subtropical ridge was off the Southeast Atlantic coast. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms had developed in past 1-2 hours over portions of central and southeast IL and lifting northward. The stronger storms with heavier rains were from southeast Clark county and southeast into Indiana. Unstable airmass in place over CWA with surface based CAPES of 1500-2200 j/kg, highest east of I-57. Modest wind shear values of 25-35 kts. Also tropical level PW values were ranging from 1.6-1.8 inches with 850 mb southerly 35-40 kt jet overhead. Temps ranged from lower 70s from Galesburg to Jacksonville west, with upper 70s and lower 80s over central and eastern CWA, with Champaign airport the hot spot at 85 degrees. SPC day1 outlook continues marginal risk of severe storms over CWA into mid evening, with slight risk ne CWA, from Bloomington to Paris ne with all hazards risk including brief tornadoes. The stronger storms currently appear to be tied to the warm front in northern IL. Scattered convection likely to continue through mid evening and then wane as instability weakens after sunset. Cutoff mid/upper level low to move slowly into southeast MO by sunset Thu while surface low weakens to 1005 mb as it tracks over the IL river valley Thu afternoon. Gets unstable again on Thu as CAPES rise to 1000-2000 j/kg over much of area by early Thu afternoon along with the stronger wind shear over central and eastern CWA. SPC day2 update entire CWA into the marginal risk Thu afternoon for wind and hail while tornado threat is further east/se of IL. Lows tonight in the low to mid 60s, coolest over western CWA. Highs Thu 70-75F, warmest near the IN border. && .LONG TERM...(Thursday night through Wednesday) ISSUED AT 330 PM CDT Wed May 25 2022 Slow moving mid/upper level low tracks into the lower Ohio river valley by dawn Friday and into the eastern Ohio river valley Fri evening. It will still be close enough to influence central/se IL with more low cloud cover along with chances of rain showers and isolated thunderstorms, highest pops in eastern IL. NNW winds on back side of system to bring cooler temps, with highs Fri 65-70F, warmest near the Wabash river and over far western CWA to the MS river valley where some sunshine could appear during Fri afternoon. 12Z forecast models continue to show upper level ridging into IL by midday Saturday and bringing a nice late spring day to the area, with more sunshine, lighter winds and temperate highs in the mid to upper 70s. GFS shows a disturbance with some qpf moving over IL Sat night and Sunday morning, while other models like GEM and Ecmwf are keeping IL dry which this forecast reflects the drier solution. A strong 590-594dm 500 mb high builds over the southern Great lakes and Ohio river valley Mon/Tue bringing our 2nd heat wave of the season 1st half of next week. Highs in the low to mid 80s Sunday, rise to around 90F monday and lower 90s Tue and Wed. Will also be humid with dewpoints in the upper 60s/lower 70s. A cold front will be pressing se into the upper Midwest Wed and possibly get close enough into nw IL Wed night to bring next chance of showers and thunderstorms. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Thursday afternoon) Issued at 1255 PM CDT Wed May 25 2022 Deepening 1001 mb low pressure along the central KS/MO border has its warm front arching over northern IL, north of I-80 early this afternoon. An associated 560 dm 500 mb low was over central Oklahoma. Scattered light to moderate rain showers were affecting the PIA airport and just west of BMI airport and drifting northward. IFR ceilings earlier this morning have lifted to MVFR to even VFR at SPI and DEC. Scattered showers and thunderstorms expected to develop over central IL from 20-21Z and last until mid evening as they lift northward with MVFR conditions. Ceilings expected to lower again overnight to IFR later tonight and lift back up to MVFR by late Thu morning as more showers develop/move into central IL with isolated thunderstorms possible. Breezy south to SSE winds gusting in the 20s to diminish tonight and some south wind gust to 20 kts on Thu. && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && SYNOPSIS...07 SHORT TERM...07 LONG TERM...07 AVIATION...07
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 307 PM CDT Wed May 25 2022 ILZ027>031-036-037-040>042-047>052-261100- Knox-Stark-Peoria-Marshall-Woodford-Fulton-Tazewell-Schuyler-Mason- Logan-Cass-Menard-Scott-Morgan-Sangamon-Christian- 307 PM CDT Wed May 25 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...Late This Afternoon and Tonight. Scattered thunderstorms are expected through this evening, diminishing after midnight. A few of the storms may be strong or locally severe, with brief wind gusts to around 60 mph. A tornado or two is also possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Scattered thunderstorms will continue through Thursday evening, as a weather system slowly moves through the region. A few of the storms during the daytime may produce brief damaging winds and large hail. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed through mid evening. ILZ038-043>046-053>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-261100- McLean-De Witt-Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Macon-Moultrie-Douglas- Coles-Edgar-Shelby-Cumberland-Clark-Effingham-Jasper-Crawford-Clay- Richland-Lawrence- 307 PM CDT Wed May 25 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Illinois and southeast Illinois. .DAY ONE...Late This Afternoon and Tonight. Scattered thunderstorms are expected through this evening, diminishing after midnight. A few of the storms may be strong or locally severe, with brief wind gusts to around 60 mph. A few brief tornadoes are also possible. The best chances of severe weather will be near and north of I-74. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Scattered thunderstorms will continue through Friday, as a weather system slowly moves through the region. Some of the storms during the day on Thursday could be locally strong to severe, with hail up to 1 inch and gusty winds up to 60 mph possible. Tornadoes are not expected at this time. Lingering flooding on the Little Wabash River near Clay City may hang on for a few more days. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed through mid evening. Geelhart
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
403 PM CDT Wed May 25 2022
ILZ046-057-252130-
Vermilion-Edgar-
403 PM CDT Wed May 25 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Edgar
and southwestern Vermilion Counties through 430 PM CDT...
At 403 PM CDT, broadcast media reported a strong thunderstorm over
Hume, or 16 miles northwest of Paris, moving north at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Broadcast media.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Sidell and Allerton around 410 PM CDT.
Other locations in the path of this storm include Catlin, Fairmount
and Oakwood.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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 3975 8775 3976 8793 4010 8794 4010 8766
TIME...MOT...LOC 2103Z 181DEG 38KT 3983 8783
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
GeelhartSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
429 PM CDT Wed May 25 2022
ILZ046-252215-
Vermilion-
429 PM CDT Wed May 25 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Vermilion County through 515 PM CDT...
At 429 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Fairmount, or 12 miles west of Danville, moving north at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Potomac, Rossville and Rankin.
This includes Interstate 74 between mile markers 198 and 210.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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 will relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Lincoln.
&&
LAT...LON 4004 8771 4004 8794 4049 8793 4049 8766
TIME...MOT...LOC 2129Z 181DEG 40KT 4008 8784
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
GeelhartSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
440 PM CDT Wed May 25 2022
ILZ046-252215-
Vermilion-
440 PM CDT Wed May 25 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern
Vermilion County through 515 PM CDT...
At 439 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles southeast of Rossville, or 11 miles north of Danville, moving
north at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph. A gust of 49 mph was reported at
Vermilion Regional Airport at 439 PM.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Rossville around 450 PM CDT.
Other locations in the path of this storm include Hoopeston.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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 4021 8768 4049 8769 4049 8753 4021 8753
TIME...MOT...LOC 2139Z 180DEG 35KT 4030 8756
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
GeelhartThe Lincoln radar (KILX), 89 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:07 UTC.
4 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A large tree and numerous tree branches were blown down across Jacksonville.
Several tree limbs were blown down.
A tree was blown down.
Numerous 3 to 6-inch diameter tree branches were blown down.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Illinois in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Illinois, May 2022
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: 1030485, 1030484, 1030486, 1030487.