A line of severe thunderstorms lifted north northeastward across northwest Illinois, mainly south of Interstate 80, on the evening of April 20th. This brought numerous tornadoes to the area as well as straight-line wind damage.
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 DVN wrote it up.
A line of severe thunderstorms lifted north northeastward across northwest Illinois, mainly south of Interstate 80, on the evening of April 20th. This brought numerous tornadoes to the area as well as straight-line wind damage. Fourteen tornadoes occurred in northwest Illinois. 7 of them were EF-1, 5 EF-0, and 1 EF-U. The longest track tornado of the event was on the ground for 16 miles and traveled from Victoria in Knox County through Galva before lifting west of Kewanee in Henry 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 Apr 20, 5:36 PM CST, 37 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 636 PM CDT Sun Apr 20 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - A strong storm system will impact the area today and tonight bringing widespread rainfall and possibly a few severe storms south of I-80. - There is an Enhanced Risk for severe storms across portions of NE Missouri with a Slight Risk extending northward just south of the I-80 corridor. Damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes are possible with the strongest storms. - Localized flash flooding is possible mainly west of the Mississippi River, where WPC has a Slight Risk for excessive rainfall. Isolated areas that get hit by several rounds of storms could receive 3"+ of rainfall. - Temperature warming into the 70s this upcoming week with periodic chances for showers and storms. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Issued at 115 PM CDT Sun Apr 20 2025 GOES water vapor imagery shows a potent upper low over north- central Oklahoma with new convective development occurring downstream beneath a mid-level dry slot. This area of convection is intensify across eastern Oklahoma and southeast Kansas, and heading into southwest Missouri. SPC mesoanalysis had a 1008mb surface low positioned over northern Oklahoma with an effective warm front stretching across central Missouri, marked by a jump in temperatures to the mid 70s and notable clearing on visible satellite imagery. The upper wave and associated surface low will continue to lift to the NNE into this evening, eventually pulling the warm sector into southern portions of the forecast area. Widespread cloud cover may limit instability to a certain extent; however, surface temperatures and dewpoints reaching the mid/upper 60s and upper 50s/low 60s should yield MLCAPE between 500-1000 J/kg south of I-80 by the late afternoon and evening. Strong forcing for ascent associated with the low and convergence along the cold front will lead to widespread moderate to heavy rainfall. CAMs continue to show an organized QLCS moving into our southwest counties between 3 - 6 PM, then tracking to the NNE toward the Mississippi River between 5 - 9 PM, gradually weakening with time. HREF mean 2-5 km updraft helicity values are highest generally along and south of Highway 34 where embedded, or even a few discrete supercells are most probable. The high shear environment with 0-3 km bulk values between 35-45 kts are supportive of QLCS mesovortices, which could lead to a few narrow corridors of damaging winds and potentially a few tornadoes across the southern outlook area. Additionally, any sustained semi-discrete cells could pose a large hail risk. Another concern due to repeated rounds of storms and heavy rainfall is for isolated areas to receive 3"+ of total rainfall, which could lead to localized flash flooding. The area most at risk for this appears to be west of the Mississippi River and south of Highway 30. SPC Outlook: The Enhanced Risk has been shifted northward to include portions of northeast Missouri, and the Slight Risk remains in place just south of the I-80 corridor. Damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes are possible with the strongest cells late this afternoon and into early tonight. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... Issued at 115 PM CDT Sun Apr 20 2025 Monday through Saturday: the pattern remains somewhat active despite zonal flow aloft. Periodic shortwaves will translate through the region, which could spark off some additional showers and storms, but exact timing and location details remain uncertain this far out. Temperatures are expected to gradually warm up into the 70s for much of this time-frame, cooling into the 60s on Saturday. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z MONDAY/... Issued at 636 PM CDT Sun Apr 20 2025 An area of low pressure over north-central Missouri will continue to lift northeastward towards our region this evening, bringing widespread showers and thunderstorms. MVFR/IFR ceilings and visibilities are likely, with perhaps some brief LIFR conditions possible with the stronger storms. Some of these storms could be strong to severe, mainly for BRL, with damaging winds being the main threat. As the low passes through late this evening into the overnight hours, winds are expected to shift dramatically, ultimately becoming west-northwesterly and remaining gusty. Once the showers and storms diminishes, IFR ceilings will gradually improve throughout the day Monday. && .DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... IA...None. IL...None. MO...None. && SHORT TERM...Uttech LONG TERM...Haase/Uttech AVIATION...Schultz
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL 207 PM CDT Sun Apr 20 2025 IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007- 009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-211915- 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- 207 PM CDT Sun Apr 20 2025 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...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT A strong storm system is expected to bring widespread rain and a few thunderstorms to the outlook area today into this evening. Heavy rainfall and a few severe storms are possible, with the main threats damaging wind and large hail, especially this evening. A few tornadoes are also possible mainly south of Highway 34. The Storm Prediction Center has an Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) across portions of northeast Missouri, a Slight Risk extending to the north just south of the Interstate 80 corridor, and a Marginal Risk up to the Highway 30 corridor. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY: Toward the northeast at 40 to 45 mph. Haase/Uttech
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL
418 PM CDT Sun Apr 20 2025
IAZ098-MOZ009-010-202200-
Van Buren IA-Clark MO-Scotland MO-
418 PM CDT Sun Apr 20 2025
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of western Van Buren,
western Clark and Scotland Counties through 500 PM CDT...
At 417 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from 6 miles southeast of
Bloomfield to 6 miles southeast of Brashear. Movement was northeast
at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Strong winds could break small tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Hitt, Wyaconda, Douds, Selma, South Gorin, Prospect Grove, Arbela,
Lake Sugema Campground, Scotland County Fairgrounds, Fairmont,
Memphis, Lacey Keosauqua State Park, Mount Sterling, Cantril, Azen,
Kilbourn, Etna, Van Buren County Fairgrounds, Sand Hill, and Memphis
Memorial Airport.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
These storms 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.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for southeastern
Iowa...and northeastern Missouri.
&&
LAT...LON 4059 9235 4060 9218 4090 9218 4090 9196
4026 9189 4026 9195 4030 9195 4030 9235
TIME...MOT...LOC 2117Z 224DEG 35KT 4067 9235 4009 9228
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
GunkelPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
701 PM CDT Sun Apr 20 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0701 PM Rain 2 NNW Marion 42.06N 91.61W
04/20/2025 M1.00 Inch Linn IA Trained Spotter
&&
DCPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
710 PM CDT Sun Apr 20 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0710 PM Rain 1 ENE Fairfax 41.93N 91.76W
04/20/2025 M1.00 Inch Linn IA Trained Spotter
still raining.
&&
DCThe Lincoln radar (KILX), 147 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:11 UTC.
14 tornado, 9 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A public report of damage to a roof. The report was relayed by county 911 center. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
A public report of a 70 MPH measured wind gust and small branches 1 inch in diameter were broken. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
An EF-1 tornado started just south of Blandinsville and tracked to NE along a 7 mile path. Tree damage was noted at numerous locations with large branches and some trees snapped. Power poles in two locations were snapped, resulting in an estimated max wind speed of 100 MPH.
The Emergency Manager reported that apartment roof was heavily damaged with the middle section of the roof removed on both sides. In coordination with Emergency Management and reviewing photos of the damage and areas around it, this was determined to be from straight line winds with a speed of 80 mph. the time of the event was estimated using radar.
This short-lived EF-0 tornado brought tree damage, including a large uprooted tree, and a small outbuilding damaged. The peak estimated winds were 85 mph.
A trained spotter reported a large tree was blown down over the roof of a house with some siding damaged.
An EF-1 tornado occurred just to the NE of Sciota. Tree damage was found at the beginning of the 3 mile track. The tornado then strengthened and snapped power poles and eventually destroyed a farm outbuilding, with an max estimated speed of 100 MPH.
A trained spotter reported that several shingles were lost from the roof of the house. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
Multiple deputies reported seeing a tornado from near Greenbush looking back southwest. Linking that with the garage damage by Swan Creek would make for a short-lived tornado which lines up with radar. There was no other damage reported by Warren County EMA Director. The tornado was rated EF-0 with peak estimated winds of 70 MPH.
An NWS Storm Survey found a barn was partially damaged and some branches were down. The damage was isolated to this one property. Time of the event was estimated using radar.
An EF-0 tornado with max wind speed of 85 MPH caused damage to trees and farm outbuildings along its two mile long path.
A trained spotter reported a anemometer reading of 65 MPH with a 4 inch tree limb down.
The tornado touched down about 1.5 miles northeast of Altona in Knox County (NWS central Illinois) traveling northward and proceeded north into Henry County where it destroyed two large grain bins and tossed the debris for nearly a mile to the northeast. The tornado snapped a power pole and a large tree along US Highway 34 before dissipating along N 300 Ave where it damaged an outbuilding.
The tornado touched down about a mile west of Victoria in Knox County Illinois (NWS Lincoln) traveling north northeast. It went through Galva where it snapped several trees, then it progressed northeast damaging more trees and an outbuilding along an approximately 7.2 miles path before dissipating about 3 miles west of Kewanee.
Emergency Manager reported a tree top blown off. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
An EF-U tornado with at least a 1/4 mile path was depicted by radar and a scour mark in a freshly plowed field. Corn debris was also found in the fence at this location.
A brief EF-0 tornado caused damage to a door on an outbuilding. The tornado then caused branch damage before ending shortly. The peak estimated wind speed was 80 mph.
An EF-1 tornado formed to the northwest of Kewanee and tracked to the north and ended just south of Atkinson. Trees along the 7 mile path were snapped at the trunk. Some branches were downed as well. At the end of the path a structure was destroyed by max winds estimated to be 95 MPH.
A tornadic debris signature was seen on the KDVN Doppler Radar up to 2,900 ft. Corn stubble and leaves were found along the beginning of the path. As the tornado approached the Hennepin Canal, tree damage was found with snapped hardwood trees and other branches. Additional branches were found just southwest of Shady Beach. The tornado was rated as EF-1 with a peak estimated wind speed of 90 MPH.
A brief tornado caused EF-0 damage to trees with a peak estimated wind speed of 80 MPH.
An EF-0 tornado with maximum winds of 85 mph and a maximum width of 50 yards resulted in several trees being snapped and uprooted throughout the Cordova Cemetery, with many large branches snapped as well. As the tornado continued north, more damage to large tree branches was noted, along with an outdoor swing set and large farm irrigator damaged.
A trained spotter reported that 6 inch diameter tree branches were down. The time of the event was estimated using radar.
One power pole was snapped at the beginning of the path of an EF-1 tornado with peak estimate wind speed of 100 MPH. Three other power poles were replaced as well. This tornado then tracked north and led to tree damage just across county border into Whiteside County.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Illinois in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Illinois, 2025Warnings in Illinois, April 2025
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: 1251998, 1251999, 1251974, 1252014, 1255482, 1252015, 1251977, 1252016, 1251979, 1252017, 1251984, 1252018, 1255487, 1255481, 1252019, 1255493, 1255492, 1251991, 1251994, 1251995, 1251996, 1252020, 1251997.