A strong low pressure system tracked towards central Illinois on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 19. Strong gradient winds produced frequent gusts of 40-55 mph across the region, but no damage was noted from these winds.
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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 ILX wrote it up.
A strong low pressure system tracked towards central Illinois on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 19. Strong gradient winds produced frequent gusts of 40-55 mph across the region, but no damage was noted from these winds. Clusters of thunderstorms developed across the warm sector during the afternoon and continued into the evening, resulting in two tornadoes in the NWS Lincoln County Warning Area, along with numerous reports of wind damage and scattered hail. The tornadoes occurred in Tazewell County (EF-U) and Coles County (EF-1). Thunderstorm winds resulted in one injury in McLean County when a semi-truck was overturned on I-39. Several gustnadoes were reported during this event, as thunderstorm winds kicked up dust across unplanted fields. Additional storms developed along a dry line during the evening, producing sporadic severe wind gusts and small hail.
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 Mar 19, 11:25 AM CST, 1 hour 55 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion...Updated Aviation National Weather Service Lincoln IL 1225 PM CDT Wed Mar 19 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Strong wind gusts today as a strong low pressure system lifts through the region. Wind gusts up to 35-45 mph are expected today but some gusts up to 50 mph are also likely. A Wind Advisory is in effect from 8am today to 7am tomorrow morning. - A brief period of really low RHs (<30%) right behind the boundary with the thunderstorms may cause some fire concerns. A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 1pm to 7pm today. - An enhanced risk (level 3 of 5) for severe weather today for much of central IL, with a slight risk (level 2 out of 5) everywhere else. - A rain/snow mix will enter the area tonight and change to all snow overnight into early Thursday morning. There is a 50-60% chance of 2 inches of snow north of a Havana to Bloomington line, with the highest chances around Galesburg. && .UPDATE... Issued at 904 AM CDT Wed Mar 19 2025 Early convection has been firing roughly along a Marshall- Bloomington line over the last few hours, with more significant elevated convection more toward the Quad Cities. On a broader scale, convection has also developed near the dry line in Missouri, as surface obs show dew points dropping off from the 50s to the lower 20s in short order. This development is sooner than the earlier high-res models had been projecting. Latest HRRR model brings the dry line into far western Illinois around 1-2 pm and closing in on Decatur around 5 pm, which will cut off the convection once it goes by. In terms of the severe activity, no change was made in the 8 am update from SPC, with the level 3 risk being driven by a 10% chance of tornadoes, potentially on the stronger side. Also of note, GOES-16 dust channel imagery shows a nice plume of dust aloft from eastern Iowa, to western Illinois, then back southwest into eastern Texas. This is about 100 miles wide, and is steadily moving east. Any rain that falls in the short term will have this dirt coming down with it. Geelhart && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 337 AM CDT Wed Mar 19 2025 Who is ready to have the kitchen sink thrown at us today? Through the course of the next 24ish hours, we will see strong non- thunderstorm winds (45+ mph gusts), severe thunderstorms, enhanced fire danger, and wintry weather. So here we go... SPC has upgraded parts of central and southeastern IL to an enhanced risk (level 3 of 5) for severe weather, with mostly a slight risk (2 of 5) elsewhere. They are highlighting it being an all hazards day. Damaging winds, large hail, and an isolated tornado or two. If all the ingredients and CI align, we could see decent severe storms (potentially supercellular) out of the broken line that is forecast to move through the area. Unfortunately, there is still plenty of uncertainty on location of where the afternoon's storms will fire. Staying weather aware today will be important, especially as storms begin to develop. The CAMs generally agree on CI of 19-21z and the severe threat exiting around (or just after) 00z. The southerly winds will shift to northwesterly by the end of the event, behind the low. Very strong non-thunderstorm winds are expected Wednesday with wind gusts of 35-45 knots forecast. If we get really deep mixing of the boundary layer during the day in place over the area, wind gusts could get upwards of 50+ knots. Winds will stay quite breezy through Thursday afternoon as the low exits completely out of the region. A Wind Advisory has been issued from 13z today to 09z Thursday. A brief period of really low RHs (<30%) right behind the boundary with the thunderstorms may cause some fire concerns. Thinking is that the recent precipitation should damper the enhanced fire danger, but lowered RHs mixed with the very strong non-thunderstorm winds could potentially cause issues, so siding with caution, a Red Flag Warning has been issued for this afternoon. The low center will pass off just to the north in the evening. CAA will be strong as the wind shifts out of the northwest. Precip on the backside of the low will push into central IL around 00-03z Thursday, just as the storms exit to the east. Initially the p-type will be rain but a transition to snow will take place as the night goes on. There is a 50-60% chance of 2 inches of snow north of a Havana to Bloomington line. That is with a 10:1 ratio which is a bit high, so it would be closer to 1-1.5 inch instead. The 25th-75th percentile range is showing 1-4 inches for place north of that same line. South of I-72 shouldn't see any snow, but a few flakes may try to squeeze out. Impacts from the snow may result from the blowing snow risk with the strong winds within the heavier snow bands. Pavement temperatures will get near 80 degrees during the day, so snow should melt as it lands. A couple more rounds of precipitation and seasonable temperatures are in the forecast through the extended. Copple && .AVIATION... (For the 18z TAFs through 18z Thursday Afternoon) Issued at 1225 PM CDT Wed Mar 19 2025 Through 00Z: Main concern will be with convection that is currently expanding over west central Illinois. Threat will be shifting east with time ahead of a sharp surface boundary. Will include a 3-hour window at all sites with PROB30 groups for potential IFR visibilities with the heavier storms. South winds will gust 30-40 knots even outside the storms, but may be as high as 50+ knots within the storms. After 00Z: Focus in this period shifts toward rapidly lowering ceilings mid to late evening, as winds shift northwest behind the boundary. All sites expected to be between 1000-1500 feet by late evening, with HREF guidance suggesting highest probabilities of IFR ceilings at KPIA/KBMI. An area of rain and snow showers will sweep east between 06-12Z and bring some reduced visibilities at these two sites as well. Rapid clearing should take place 12-15Z from west to east. Geelhart && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Wind Advisory until 7 AM CDT Thursday for ILZ027>031-036>038- 040>057-061. Red Flag Warning until 7 PM CDT this evening for ILZ036-040>044- 047>054-061-066-071. Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for ILZ062-063-066>068- 071>073. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 519 AM CDT Wed Mar 19 2025 ILZ040-047-049-050-201100- Schuyler-Cass-Scott-Morgan- 519 AM CDT Wed Mar 19 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. There is a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) for severe thunderstorms during early to mid afternoon today. The main risks are locally damaging wind gusts and large hail. An isolated tornado is also possible. Strong south to southwest winds are expected today, shifting to northwest tonight. Wind gusts to 50 mph are expected. A Wind Advisory in effect until 7 AM. Dry conditions for many areas will also promote a risk of rapid fire growth potential, and a Red Flag warning is in effect until 7 pm this evening. Light snow accumulations are possible late night, mainly north of I-72. Up to an inch of snow is possible on elevated surfaces. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Strong south to southwest wind gusts to 40 mph are possible on Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed from around 1 to 4 pm today. Expected storm motion is toward the northeast around 50 mph. ILZ027>031-036>038-041>046-048-051>057-061-201100- Knox-Stark-Peoria-Marshall-Woodford-Fulton-Tazewell-McLean-Mason- Logan-De Witt-Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Menard-Sangamon-Christian- Macon-Moultrie-Douglas-Coles-Edgar-Shelby- 519 AM CDT Wed Mar 19 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. There is an Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) for severe thunderstorms during the afternoon to early evening today. A few strong tornadoes are possible. In addition, locally damaging wind gusts over 60 mph and isolated large hail are possible. Strong south to southwest winds are expected today, shifting to northwest tonight. Wind gusts to 50 mph are expected. A Wind Advisory in effect until 7 AM. Dry conditions for many some will also promote a risk of rapid fire growth potential until rain or snow occurs, and a Red Flag warning is in effect until 7 pm this evening for areas south of I-74 and I-57 westward. Snow accumulations are possible late night, mainly north of I-72. Up to 3 inches of snow are possible north of Peoria, while areas to the south could see up to an inch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Strong south to southwest wind gusts to 40 mph are possible on Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed from around 1 pm to 7 pm. Expected storm motion is toward the northeast around 50 mph. ILZ062-063-066>068-071>073-201100- Cumberland-Clark-Effingham-Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence- 519 AM CDT Wed Mar 19 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Illinois and southeast Illinois. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. There is an Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) for severe thunderstorms during the afternoon to early evening today. A few strong tornadoes are possible. In addition, locally damaging wind gusts over 60 mph and isolated large hail are possible. Strong south to southwest winds are expected today, shifting to northwest tonight. Wind gusts to 50 mph are expected. A Wind Advisory in effect until 7 AM. Dry conditions for many some will also promote a risk of rapid fire growth potential until rain or snow occurs, and a Red Flag warning is in effect until 7 pm this evening for areas south of I-74 and I-57 westward. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Strong south to southwest wind gusts to 40 mph are possible on Friday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed from around 1 pm to 7 pm. Expected storm motion is toward the northeast around 50 mph. 37
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
150 PM CDT Wed Mar 19 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1249 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Lawrenceville Airport 38.76N 87.60W
03/19/2025 M46 MPH Lawrence IL ASOS
ASOS station KLWV Lawrenceville AP.
1025 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 SSE Urbana 40.08N 88.19W
03/19/2025 M46 MPH Champaign IL Mesonet
Mesonet station FW0668 Urbana.
1055 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 WSW Decatur Airport 39.83N 88.87W
03/19/2025 M44 MPH Macon IL ASOS
ASOS station KDEC Decatur Arpt.
&&The Lincoln radar (KILX), 74 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:22 UTC.
31 thunderstorm wind, 8 hail, 2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
A farm outbuilding lost a small subset of its metal roofing panels.
A portion of a barn roof was blown off, as were shingles from a home. A portion of a large tree was also blown down. The report was relayed by the county Emergency Manager.
A broadcast meteorologist video taped a brief tornado touchdown near Spring Lake Township, which then moved northeast for about one minute before dissipating. No damage was noted.
Three power poles were blown down on Horse Barn Road.
A power pole was bent and a 12 inch tree was snapped.
A house sustained siding damage as well as damage to a wooden fence. Loose outdoor items were blown around.
A large oak tree was snapped by thunderstorm winds.
Power poles were blown down.
A trained spotter estimated 70 mph winds with dime-sized hail occurring at their location.
A semi-truck was overturned by thunderstorm wind gusts along I-39. The driver was transported to the hospital.
Outbuildings were damaged by thunderstorm wind gusts. A trained spotter located approximately 1 mile northwest measured a wind gust of 73 mph.
A trained spotter measured a 73 mph wind gust.
A farm outbuilding lost roof panels.
A large tree branch was broken. A trained spotter recorded a 73 mph wind gust around the same time.
A power pole was blown down.
A power pole was snapped onto Route 10 near Beason, resulting in a temporary road closure.
Thunderstorm wind gusts resulted in power outages. Small hail also occurred at this location.
The roof was blown off an outbuilding and siding damage occurred to a home. Large tree branches were also broken.
A farm outbuilding had a portion of its roof blown off.
Tree branches were blown down onto Highway 54.
A power pole was blown down near Dewey Bank.
Large tree branches were broken.
Two power poles were snapped.
Six power poles were blown down and trees were damaged.
The tornado began west of the intersection of county roads 1600N and 2000E, resulting in the destruction of a farm outbuilding and tearing siding off a nearby house. The tornado continued northeast, crossing county road 2000E and snapping a few tree trunks before dissipating. The tornado was on the ground for two minutes.
A large branch was broken off.
A semi-truck was overturned on I-74 near Oakwood. No injuries were reported.
A tree was blown down.
A 60 mph wind gust was measured at the Lawrenceville-Vincennes International Airport (KLWV).
An outbuilding was damaged by thunderstorm wind gusts.
A 62 mph wind gust was measured.
A 64 mph wind gust was measured at Willard Airport (KCMI).
A 62 mph gust was measured at the Vermilion Regional Airport (KDNV).
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, March 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: 1240571, 1240516, 1240517, 1240524, 1240520, 1240521, 1240522, 1240523, 1240572, 1240528, 1240527, 1240530, 1240531, 1240542, 1240543, 1240536, 1240538, 1240570, 1240539, 1240544, 1240550, 1240546, 1240551, 1240552, 1240553, 1240554, 1240555, 1240556, 1240569, 1240557, 1240558, 1240559, 1240560, 1240561, 1240562, 1240568, 1240564, 1240563, 1240565, 1240566, and more.