A Mesoscale Convective System (MCS) that formed over eastern Nebraska and western Iowa during the pre-dawn hours of July 30th decayed as it tracked southeastward toward the Mississippi River. As it moved further southeastward, it re-intensified across south-central Illinois during peak heating.
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.
A Mesoscale Convective System (MCS) that formed over eastern Nebraska and western Iowa during the pre-dawn hours of July 30th decayed as it tracked southeastward toward the Mississippi River. As it moved further southeastward, it re-intensified across south-central Illinois during peak heating. The newly formed cluster of storms produced scattered wind damage and a few hailstones as large as quarters along and south of a Lincoln...to Mattoon...to Lawrenceville line during the afternoon of July 30th.
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 Jul 30, 1:06 PM CST, 1 hour 19 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 206 PM CDT Tue Jul 30 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Multiple rounds of severe storms are expected across the Midwest through Thursday. There is an Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) for severe storms along and west of a Canton to Taylorville line today. - Heat and Humidity also continue through Thursday with afternoon highs in the 90s and heat indices peaking each day between 95-110 degrees. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 200 PM CDT Tue Jul 30 2024 THROUGH TONIGHT... The line of storms that rolled through portions of central Illinois this morning has continued southeast across the Ohio Valley this afternoon. This has overworked portions of central Illinois where temps are slowly recovering, rising into the mid to upper 80s early this afternoon. Satellite imagery shows the western edge of the cold pool interacting with the warm sector across portions of north central MO SE across the St Louis area where dew points have been pooling in the mid to upper 70s. MLCAPE values are peaking around 3500 J/kg in the vicinity of that boundary but quickly drop off to 1000 J/kg or less across most of central Illinois where MLCin is also 100-200 J/kg. As such, the ongoing cluster of storms moving into the Illinois River Valley are expected to continue to struggle with the highest severe threat currently along the aforementioned boundary just to our west where upscale growth is expected. This boundary is very slowly trying to lift northeast so would not completely rule out the severe storms clipping the far SW/S portions of the forecast area where the enhanced risk is currently depicted by the SPC. Overnight the low level jet is expected to strengthen to our west with the strongest convergence across portions of western Iowa initially, but gradually spreading east across central Illinois overnight as the low level jet veers. This will support continued chances for thunderstorms overnight including a potential third MCS for the region. WEDNESDAY... A warm front will remain draped over northern Illinois Wednesday with a broad warm sector across the remainder of Illinois characterized by dew points in the lower to mid 70s and strong instability with MLCAPE near 4000 J/kg in spots. Convective evolution again contains a lot of uncertainty, but models have the general idea of an ongoing MCS Wednesday morning (initiating off of overnight LLJ over Iowa) will be tracking E/SE across portions of northern and/or central Illinois. Strong recovery is expected after this morning round of storms with additional storms firing in the vicinity of the warm front Wednesday afternoon and quickly growing upscale. Deep layer shear remains seasonably strong Wednesday afternoon, around 40-45 kt supporting storm organization. 0-3km shear vectors are progged to be stronger than today, closer to 30- 35kt which will be better for mesocyclone genesis. Meanwhile, temperatures in the low to mid 90s and dew points well into the 70s will result in heat indices of 100-110 area wide. Convective debris and cloud cover complicates confidence levels in these details enough to preclude additional heat headlines at this time, but at least portions of the area will need a new heat advisory Wednesday. THURSDAY AND FRIDAY... A closed upper low is expected to develop Thursday over Iowa and slowly track east across central Illinois Thursday night into Friday. Moderately strong instability is once again expected across central Illinois Thursday ahead of this low and will support additional strong to severe storms, especially late in the afternoon and into the evening. Attendant surface low and cold front will work across central Illinois Thursday night into Friday morning. Additional showers and storms will be possible during the day Friday as the upper low passes through the area, but precip chances will diminish from the west behind the departing low through the latter half of the day. Highs in the low to mid 90s ahead of the low Thursday will give way to more seasonable highs in the mid 80s Friday. SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY... High pressure builds over the region this weekend with dry weather favored and temperatures continuing to run closer to the seasonal norms, though humidity levels will likely remain elevated. A cold front may sag into portions of the state early next week bringing the next chance for shower and storms. Deubelbeiss && .AVIATION... (For the 18z TAFs through 18z Wednesday Afternoon) Issued at 1225 PM CDT Tue Jul 30 2024 A modest SSW breeze and VFR conditions will prevail through mid afternoon across central Illinois in the wake of early morning storms. Another round of storms is possible across portions of central Illinois late this afternoon and evening with confidence greatest further west. Winds should settle back out of the S/SSW once any storms exit the area late this evening and overnight. Yet another round of storms is possible mid to late Wednesday morning into the afternoon. Deubelbeiss && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for ILZ040-047>052-061- 066>068-071>073. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 231 PM CDT Tue Jul 30 2024 ILZ027>031-036>038-041>046-053>057-062-063-311945- Knox-Stark-Peoria-Marshall-Woodford-Fulton-Tazewell-McLean-Mason- Logan-De Witt-Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Macon-Moultrie-Douglas-Coles- Edgar-Cumberland-Clark- 231 PM CDT Tue Jul 30 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...Tonight. There is a slight risk (level 2 of 5) for severe storms this evening through tonight. Damaging wind gusts is the primary hazard but isolated large hail is also possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. There is a marginal risk (level 1 of 5) for severe storms Wednesday and a marginal to slight risk (level 2 of 5) for severe storm Thursday. Heat index values of 100 to 110 degrees are expected Wednesday and Thursday. A few storms may linger into the day Friday but are not expected to be severe. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this evening and tonight. Expected storm motion is toward the southeast around 50 mph. ILZ040-047>052-061-066>068-071>073-311945- Schuyler-Cass-Menard-Scott-Morgan-Sangamon-Christian-Shelby- Effingham-Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence- 231 PM CDT Tue Jul 30 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, southeast Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...Tonight. There is an enhanced risk (level 3 of 5) for severe storms late this afternoon through tonight. Damaging wind gusts is the primary hazard but isolated large hail is also possible. Heat indices of 100 to 105 are possible this afternoon and early evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. There is a marginal risk (level 1 of 5) for severe storms Wednesday and Thursday. Heat index values of 100 to 110 degrees are expected Wednesday and Thursday. A few storms may linger into the day Friday but are not expected to be severe. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed This evening west of a Canton to Taylorville line. Expected storm motion is toward the southeast around 50 mph. Deubelbeiss
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1030 AM CDT Tue Jul 30 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0938 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 SSE Jewett 39.16N 88.22W
07/30/2024 Jasper IL Law Enforcement
Large tree limb down on power line.
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1031 AM CDT Tue Jul 30 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0944 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 ENE Newton 39.00N 88.11W
07/30/2024 Jasper IL Public
Six inch tree limbs down east of Newton.
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1032 AM CDT Tue Jul 30 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1017 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 ESE Lawrenceville 38.72N 87.66W
07/30/2024 Lawrence IL Public
Corrects previous non-tstm wnd dmg report
from 2 ESE Lawrenceville. Large tree limbs
down.
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1050 AM CDT Tue Jul 30 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0634 AM Tstm Wnd Gst Marietta 40.50N 90.39W
07/30/2024 E60 MPH Fulton IL Emergency Mngr
Estimated 50-60 mph winds around Marietta.
0746 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 NNE Springfield 39.83N 89.61W
07/30/2024 Sangamon IL Trained Spotter
Multiple 2 diameter tree branches down at
intersection of Piper Rd and Vincent St. One
4-6 diameter branch down on West St...just
south of Vincent St.
0749 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg Springfield 39.80N 89.65W
07/30/2024 Sangamon IL Broadcast Media
Report of power lines down in several spots
across Springfield with additional reports
of tree damage.
0908 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg Sullivan 39.60N 88.61W
07/30/2024 Moultrie IL Broadcast Media
Report of 6 inch diameter tree limbs down...
with additional reports of tree damage.
0910 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 WNW Effingham 39.15N 88.63W
07/30/2024 Effingham IL Broadcast Media
Report of a power line down in the Lake Sara
area.
0932 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SW Toledo 39.26N 88.26W
07/30/2024 Cumberland IL Broadcast Media
Report of a power line down.
0938 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 SSE Jewett 39.16N 88.22W
07/30/2024 Jasper IL Law Enforcement
Large tree limb down on power line.
0944 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 ENE Newton 39.00N 88.11W
07/30/2024 Jasper IL Public
Six inch tree limbs down east of Newton.
1017 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 ESE Lawrenceville 38.72N 87.66W
07/30/2024 Lawrence IL Public
Large tree limbs down.
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
134 PM CDT Tue Jul 30 2024
ILZ036-041-301900-
Mason-Fulton-
134 PM CDT Tue Jul 30 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN FULTON AND CENTRAL
MASON COUNTIES THROUGH 200 PM CDT...
At 134 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Ipava, or near Lewistown, moving southeast at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Havana, Lewistown, Cuba, Ipava, Bath, Kilbourne, Table Grove,
Bernadotte, Forest City, Smithfield, Bryant, Liverpool, Marietta,
Topeka, Chatauqua Park, Duncan Mills, Goofy Ridge, and Little
America.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4034 9045 4044 9045 4056 9038 4036 8976
4023 8987 4013 9004
TIME...MOT...LOC 1834Z 297DEG 48KT 4040 9029
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
ShimonSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
217 PM CDT Tue Jul 30 2024
ILZ041-042-047-048-050-051-301945-
Logan-Sangamon-Mason-Morgan-Menard-Cass-
217 PM CDT Tue Jul 30 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT MENARD...SOUTHWESTERN LOGAN...
NORTHWESTERN SANGAMON...SOUTHEASTERN CASS...SOUTHEASTERN MASON AND
NORTHEASTERN MORGAN COUNTIES THROUGH 245 PM CDT...
At 217 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Easton to near Literberry. Movement was
southeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Springfield, Mason City, Petersburg, Athens, Virginia, Alexander,
Sherman, Williamsville, New Berlin, Ashland, Pleasant Plains,
Greenview, Tallula, Elkhart, Middletown, Abraham Lincoln Capital
Airport, Literberry, Oakford, Philadelphia, and Berlin.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 55 between mile markers 105 and 120.
Interstate 72 between mile markers 76 and 91.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4007 8940 3964 8990 3988 9029 4025 8981
TIME...MOT...LOC 1917Z 303DEG 39KT 4021 8983 3988 9023
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
ShimonThe Lincoln radar (KILX), 23 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:24 UTC.
8 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Powerlines were blown down along 169th Street.
A tree was blown onto powerlines causing a power outage on the east side of town. Several tree branches were blown down as well.
A powerline was blown down on West Robinson Street between Dixie Street and South Hale Street.
A large tree was blown down onto two cars near the intersection of Marshall Avenue and 36th Street on the southwest side of Mattoon.
A tree was blown down across Western Avenue between 25th Street and 26th Street.
Several large tree limbs were blown down.
Powerlines were blown down.
A tree was blown down near the intersection of East IL-250 and West North Avenue on the west side of Olney.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Illinois in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Illinois, July 2024
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: 1189727, 1189728, 1189729, 1189730, 1189732, 1189733, 1189738, 1189737, 1189739, 1189734.