Hail and Damaging Winds in Illinois, April 27, 2026

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Illinois, April 27, 2026
Start: 2026-04-27T16:39
End: 2026-04-27T21:08
Location: Illinois

April 27, 2026 · NWS PAH · 12 events in 5 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $77,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 12

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS PAH wrote it up.

Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms impacted the Quad State region on the 27th. The later rounds of storms began with isolated to scattered storms tracking northeastward late afternoon into the early evening. On the synoptic scale, an upper level jet ejected across the Missouri Valley during the evening with a pronounced mid level wave moving through. The low level jet strengthened into the evening. A surface low was positioned near St Louis during the early evening with a trailing cold front extending southwestward. A broken band of supercells developed along this and eventually congealed into more linear segments as it moved into Southern Illinois compared to its more discrete structure in Southeast Missouri.

In Southern Illinois, during the early evening, MLCAPE was quite high ahead of the frontal boundary with values of 2000-3000J/kg, along with deep layer shear of 50-60kts, STP of 4-7, and mid-level lapse rates of 8C. A moderate risk for severe weather covered most of Southern Illinois for the evening hours.

A few late afternoon cells tracking northeastward produced hail in Edwards/Wabash Counties. For the storms arriving from the west during the evening, wind damage became the primary hazard for Southern Illinois. The highest concentration of damage south of Herrin and north of Marion in Williamson County, with damage to multiple homes in both locations.

What forecasters said that day

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 Paducah, KY wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 27, 11:45 AM CST, 4 hours 54 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

A significant severe weather event will impact the Quad State this afternoon into tonight. Elevated isolated supercells this morning that are capable of producing large hail will become surface based this afternoon. Strong tornadoes, very large hail, and damaging winds will all be possible. Discrete storms grow upscale into a line tonight with damaging winds and embedded strong tornadoes.
Breezy conditions will continue through this afternoon with wind gusts between 25-35 mph. There is a 40-50% chance wind gusts briefly reach 40 mph.
Another round of severe weather is possible late Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday evening. Very large hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes are the hazards of concern. There is a 60-70% chance of total 48 hour rainfall of 2 inches or more. Localized flash flooding issues are possible.
Temperatures trend near to slightly below normal Wednesday into next weekend. Most of the period is dry, but a 20-30% chance of light rain showers return on Friday.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 27, 11:45 AM CST, 4 hours 54 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1245 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A significant severe weather event will impact the Quad State
  this afternoon into tonight. Elevated isolated supercells
  this morning that are capable of producing large hail will
  become surface based this afternoon. Strong tornadoes, very
  large hail, and damaging winds will all be possible. Discrete
  storms grow upscale into a line tonight with damaging winds
  and embedded strong tornadoes.

- Breezy conditions will continue through this afternoon with
  wind gusts between 25-35 mph. There is a 40-50% chance wind
  gusts briefly reach 40 mph.

- Another round of severe weather is possible late Tuesday
  afternoon into Tuesday evening. Very large hail, damaging
  winds, and isolated tornadoes are the hazards of concern.
  There is a 60-70% chance of total 48 hour rainfall of 2
  inches or more. Localized flash flooding issues are possible.

- Temperatures trend near to slightly below normal Wednesday
  into next weekend. Most of the period is dry, but a 20-30%
  chance of light rain showers return on Friday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1112 AM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

Elevated convection is ongoing across the Quad State this morning,
with isolated supercells that have been producing large hail. As the
back edge of the MCS lifts more northeast, destabilization will
quickly occur with an influx of higher dewpoints near 70 degrees
pushing northward across the Missouri Bootheel. The air mass
recovery by this afternoon quickly translates to 2500 to 3500 J/kg
of SBCAPE and 7.5 to 8.0 C/km mid-level lapse rates. Combined
with 300-400 m2/s2 of 0-3km SRH and STP values of 3.0-6.0,
strong EF3+ tornadoes, large hail over 2 inches, and damaging
wind gusts over 60 mph will all be possible. The storm mode this
afternoon will be more discrete with the HRRR showing a cluster
of supercells developing. As a meso low near STL lifts
northeast this evening, the winds at the sfc become more backed,
especially in SPCs 15% tornado risk that clips portions of
southeast Missouri and southern Illinois.

While the ongoing convection has always been the greatest
uncertainty with the forecast, model consensus continues to
remain strong for the storm mode to transition to line segments
this evening with convection rapidly growing upscale into a
QLCS. This is when the highest damaging wind risk will occur
with DCAPE over 1200 J/kg. Embedded strong tornadoes also remain
likely with sfc-1 km shear around 30-35 kts. Instability begins
to drop off as storms move into southwest Indiana and the
western Kentucky Pennyrile, allowing for some weakening into the
overnight hours.

Breezy conditions are expected outside of thunderstorms through this
afternoon with a 40-50% chance of wind gusts briefly reaching 40 mph
locally. Most gusts however should remain in the 25-35 mph range.
Given the brief duration, have decided to hold off on issuing a Wind
Advisory as the impacts will be subtle compared to the severe
weather that will impact most of the FA.

The potential for another round of severe weather continues to
increase on Tuesday as another wave moves trough with a stalled
frontal boundary. The CAMs show a MCS pushing across southeast
Missouri and western Kentucky Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday
evening. The thermodynamics support damaging wind and very large
hail with 1500 to 2500 J/kg of SBCAPE and mid-level lapse rates
between 8.0-9.0 C/km. The tornado risk will be more isolated with
lower intensity compared to today, but 15 kts of sfc-1 km shear will
be enough to support a few spin ups. If the boundary shifts more
north and convection trends slower, convection would overlap with
the better 40 kt LLJ in the evening to support a higher risk.

Due to the potential for training convection, the risk of localized
Flash Flooding has increased with another 3 rounds of thunderstorms
expected through Tuesday evening. Total 48 hour rainfall is forecast
between 1.5 to 3.5 inches, with a 60-70% chance of 2 or more inches.
Given the ongoing drought conditions, flooding issues will be more
prone to the typical urban and low-lying locations that are more
sensitive with PWATs around 1.5 inches.

Dry and much cooler conditions return on Wednesday with a broad
trough aloft settling over the Ohio Valley. Daily slightly below
normal high temperatures range from the mid 60s to near 70
through Friday before trending warmer closer to normal next
weekend. There remains a 20-30% chance of light rain showers on
Friday. The GEFS is further north with a low pressure system
that tracks over the lower Mississippi River Valley with QPF
between 0.10 to 0.25 inches. Meanwhile, the EPS and GEPS keeps
this system more suppressed with very little rainfall. A dry
weekend then follows as sfc high pressure builds in.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 1245 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

The main aviation concern will be thunderstorms with strong
wind gusts, heavy rain, and possibly hail at the terminals
beginning 21Z until 01Z, as scattered thunderstorms develop,
followed by a potential line of severe thunderstorms from 01Z
through 05Z, with a TEMPO for VFR25G40KT 2SM +TSRAGS. Confidence
remains low on coverage and timing.

Southerly winds with gusts 25 to 30KT through the afternoon,
except strong gusts near any thunderstorms into this evening.
MVFR ceilings and visibilities are likely with the passage of
thunderstorms, with IFR possible.

&&

.PAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IL...None.
MO...None.
IN...None.
KY...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...DW
AVIATION...WFO LBF

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 27, 10:22 AM CST, 6 hours 17 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1122 AM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087-
100-107>112-114-281630-
Jefferson-Wayne IL-Edwards-Wabash-Perry IL-Franklin-Hamilton-
White-Jackson-Williamson-Saline-Gallatin-Union-Johnson-Pope-
Hardin-Alexander-Pulaski-Massac-Gibson-Pike-Posey-Vanderburgh-
Warrick-Spencer-Fulton-Hickman-Carlisle-Ballard-McCracken-Graves-
Livingston-Marshall-Calloway-Crittenden-Lyon-Trigg-Caldwell-
Union KY-Webster-Hopkins-Christian-Henderson-Daviess-McLean-
Muhlenberg-Todd-Perry MO-Bollinger-Cape Girardeau-Wayne MO-Carter-
Ripley-Butler-Stoddard-Scott-Mississippi-New Madrid-
1122 AM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026 /1222 PM EDT Mon Apr 27 2026/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern
Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast
Missouri.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Scattered to numerous severe storms are expected this afternoon
into tonight. Very large hail, greater than golfball size, strong
tornadoes, and damaging winds will be possible. The greatest
threat seems to be in southeast Missouri and southern Illinois
this evening.

Any storm today and tonight will produce torrential rainfall. A
flash flood threat could develop in areas that receive multiple
storms.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

Numerous strong to severe storms are expected Tuesday afternoon
into Tuesday evening. Very large hail and damaging winds will be
the main concerns, but a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out.
Torrential rainfall could lead to an isolated flash flood threat.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is needed throughout the Quad State this
afternoon into tonight. Activation throughout the region may be
needed again Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday evening.

DW

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 27, 11:51 AM CST, 4 hours 48 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1251 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1250 PM     Hail             2 SSE Sebree            37.58N 87.51W
04/27/2026  E1.00 Inch       Webster            KY   Public

&&

Local storm report, Apr 27, 11:53 AM CST, 4 hours 46 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
1253 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1241 PM     Hail             4 SW Chandler           38.01N 87.43W
04/27/2026  M0.88 Inch       Warrick            IN   Emergency Mngr

&&

BM

Local storm report, Apr 27, 12:13 PM CST, 4 hours 26 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
113 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0107 PM     Hail             2 WSW Moseleyville      37.65N 87.22W
04/27/2026  E0.70 Inch       Daviess            KY   Public

&&

BM

Local storm report, Apr 27, 12:42 PM CST, 3 hours 57 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
142 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0110 PM     Hail             2 WSW Owensboro         37.75N 87.16W
04/27/2026  E1.00 Inch       Daviess            KY   Newspaper

&&

Local storm report, Apr 27, 12:49 PM CST, 3 hours 50 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Paducah KY
149 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1249 PM     Hail             7 E Sebree              37.62N 87.40W
04/27/2026  M1.00 Inch       McLean             KY   Public

&&

Special weather statement, Apr 27, 2:46 PM CST, 1 hour 53 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Paducah KY
346 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

ILZ084>086-088>090-092-093-MOZ086-087-111-272115-
Saline IL-Alexander IL-Jackson IL-Pope IL-Union IL-Williamson IL-
Johnson IL-Pulaski IL-Bollinger MO-Cape Girardeau MO-Scott MO-
346 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026

...AREA BEING CLOSELY MONITORED FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORM
DEVELOPMENT...

At 344 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking showers and developing
thunderstorms along a line extending from near Dongola to near
Chaffee. Movement was northeast at 45 mph.

This activity is a zone of concern for rapid development for severe
storms in the next hour or so. Remain alert for possible warnings.

Locations impacted include...
Cape Girardeau, Marion, Jackson, Scott City, Anna, Chaffee,
Jonesboro, Marble Hill, Vienna, Oran, Benton, Bollinger Mill State
Historic Site, Trail Of Tears State Park, Cobden, Goreville, Dongola,
Tamms, Kelso, Creal Springs, and Delta.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 24 in Illinois between Mile Markers 1 and 18.
 Interstate 57 in Illinois between Mile Markers 13 and 50.
 Interstate 55 between Mile Markers 78 and 106.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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 southern
Illinois...and southeastern Missouri.

&&

LAT...LON 3728 9004 3772 8892 3760 8851 3700 8946
TIME...MOT...LOC 2044Z 241DEG 37KT 3741 8917 3716 8971

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

JGG

The radar

The Evansville,IN radar (KVWX), 31 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:36 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

7 hail, 5 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Edwards

When: April 27, 4:39 PM CST
Where: Edwards County, 1 mi S of Albion
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 38.372, -88.050

Hail estimated up to ping pong ball size on a social media photo was reported from Albion.

Hail, Edwards

When: April 27, 4:42 PM CST
Where: Edwards County, 1 mi W of Browns
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.379, -87.994

Hail estimated to half-dollar size fell west of Browns.

Hail, Wabash

When: April 27, 5:32 PM CST
Where: Wabash County, 1 mi E of Odgen
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.452, -87.827

Hail estimated to quarter size fell northwest of Mount Carmel as a thunderstorm moved northeastward through Wabash County.

Hail, Wabash

When: April 27, 5:45 PM CST
Where: Wabash County, 1 mi E of Allendale
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 38.529, -87.710

A video was shared of hail estimated to quarter size falling in Allendale.

Hail, Jefferson

When: April 27, 8:20 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, (Mvn)mt Vernon Arpt
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 38.326, -88.868

Hail estimated to quarter size fell in the Summersville community east of Mt Vernon.

Hail, Jackson

When: April 27, 8:41 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, Gorham
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.717, -89.486

Hail measured up to ping pong ball size was reported in Gorham along with 50mph wind gusts.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: April 27, 8:50 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, (Mdh)crbndl/Mrfysbro
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 37.780, -89.250

Measured thunderstorm wind gust at Southern Illinois Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: April 27, 8:52 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, De Soto
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 37.816, -89.227

Tree limbs were downed in Desoto and between Desoto and Carbondale.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: April 27, 8:52 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, 1 mi NNW of Carbondale
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.735, -89.225

A tree was downed onto a porch as a thunderstorm moved through Carbondale. Time was estimated from radar.

Hail, Jackson

When: April 27, 8:53 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, 1 mi NNW of Carbondale
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.735, -89.226

Hail estimated to quarter size fell in northwestern portions of Carbondale.

Thunderstorm Wind, Williamson

When: April 27, 9:01 PM CST
Where: Williamson County, 1 mi WNW of (Mwa)marion Wllmson
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $30,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.754, -89.030

A powerful thunderstorm moving eastward caused tree limbs to be down along with minor roof damage to homes and an outbuilding in the Forest Park neighborhood of Herrin.

Thunderstorm Wind, Williamson

When: April 27, 9:06 PM CST to 9:08 PM CST
Where: Williamson County, 2 mi SE of Ferges Town to 1 mi WSW of Spillertown
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $35,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 37.763, -88.951

A surging portion of a storm line caused damage along Cedar Grove Rd north of Marion. Multiple trees were snapped or uprooted. Shingle damage occurred to homes and buildings. A play set was torn up and parts of fences downed.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Illinois in 2026 Every state in 2026 This day in weather history Warnings in Illinois, April 2026

Sources

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: 1348125, 1348123, 1348124, 1348127, 1348280, 1348282, 1348294, 1348298, 1348303, 1348287, 1348291, 1348301.