Several rounds of significant convection impacted central Illinois on June 17th, 2026. Clusters of thunderstorms initially formed on the nose of a strong low-level jet streak across Iowa during the pre-dawn hours, then tracked southeastward along a warm frontal boundary into central Illinois through midday.
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.
Several rounds of significant convection impacted central Illinois on June 17th, 2026. Clusters of thunderstorms initially formed on the nose of a strong low-level jet streak across Iowa during the pre-dawn hours, then tracked southeastward along a warm frontal boundary into central Illinois through midday. Scattered damaging wind gusts were reported in north-central Illinois, with the most concentrated corridor of 60-70 mph winds focused along a Galesburg, to Peoria, to Chenoa line.
Thunderstorms re-developed along a remnant outflow boundary from the morning convection by mid to late afternoon, with the most intense cells materializing along and south of a Springfield to Paris line where several tornadoes occurred and hail larger than baseballs (3 diameter) was reported across portions of Moultrie, Douglas, and Coles counties. An EF2 tornado impacted the Mattoon to Charleston area, and an EF3 tracked just north of Effingham.
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 Jun 17, 5:09 AM CST, 2 hours 28 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 609 AM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - A dangerous severe weather outbreak is projected for for central IL today, capable of strong/intense tornadoes (EF2-EF3+ damage), damaging wind gusts of 75+ mph, and 2+ inch hail. - Heavy rainfall rates will create a risk of localized flash flooding today. There is a Flood Watch out for the areas along and north of a Fulton County to McLean County line from 7am to 10pm. - Strong, non-convective gradient winds are anticipated this afternoon, with widespread southwest gusts near 50 mph, particularly for areas near and south of I-72. A Wind Advisory will be in effect from 12pm to 7pm. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 307 AM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026 Bottom Line Up Front: Stay weather aware all day long today and know where your safest shelter is when/if a warning is issued for your location today. An outbreak of severe weather is expected later today. SPC has maintained a moderate risk (level 4 of 5) with an enhanced risk (level 3 of 5) over (basically) the rest of the forecast area. A warm front will push north, lifting better moisture (dewpoints in the 70s and PWATS ~2 inches) into central and southeastern IL. A morning round of convection will travel along and north of the warm front associated with the strong LLJ this morning. If a supercell can latch onto the warm front, tornadoes can be possible. Otherwise, large hail and damaging winds are the concern for the morning round. This round will enter the northern part of the forecast area by 13z (8am) and will travel east across the state. There is some uncertainty of how far south that area of storms will make it but some guidance is now suggesting as far south as I-70. There is some overlap in timing with the afternoon "big show". The early round will be exiting the east/southeast counties by ~20z (4pm), which is about the time the line of storms will be developing in western IL. Some uncertainty on how far north the warm front will get still exists. Guidance is still showing it lifting somewhere between I-74 and I-80. If the warm front doesn't get as far north as I-80, then the moderate risk threat could possibly be pushed further south for the cold frontal passage and associated thunderstorms in the afternoon from 20z-05z (3pm-12am). The environment will be very volatile and capable of strong/intense tornadoes (EF2-EF3+ damage), damaging wind gusts of 75+ mph, and 2+ inch hail. CAPE values 2000- 3000 J/kg, insane amount of effective bulk shear values (60-70 knots), and SRH 0-1 km of ~250-450 m2/s2. Mid level lapse rates are more than sufficient for large to very large hail (7.6-8.1 C/km). Supercells are the expected mode through most of the event this afternoon into evening, but may begin to evolve into a fast moving linear system as it nears exiting the southeastern counties. The supercells have the perfect environment to be long-lived. These storms are going to be moving very fast, with storm motions nearly due east at 50-60 knots. WPC has kept an excessive rainfall high-end slight risk for central and southeastern IL today, but our northern most counties have been clipped by the moderate risk area. PWATs of 1.8-2.1 inches are forecast. The storms today would likely have torrential rain within them, but will be moving fairly fast, which would hopefully help curb the flooding threat for most places. With many rivers/streams already at or near flood and saturated soils, flooding could become a concern through the event. There is a Flood Watch out for the areas along and north of a Fulton County to McLean County line from 12z to 03z (7am-10pm) today. Remember, turn around, don't drown! Outside of the severe weather today, there are very strong winds associated with this system. There is a Wind Advisory in place from Schuyler County to Vermilion County from 18z to 00z (1pm-7pm) today. Southerly winds will gust to 35-45 mph during that time. After today, it looks like we get two days of a break. Friday and Saturday appear to be pleasant with highs in the upper 70s to mid 80s and plenty of sunshine. Additional rain chances return to the forecast for Sunday into Monday. && .AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY/... Issued at 609 AM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026 VFR conditions will prevail at all sites for the start. However, two rounds of showers/storms will move across each site next 16hrs. First round will be in morning and will have TEMPO at at all sites and MVFR ceilings within the TEMPO group. Vis will be around 3sm. After a brief break in the afternoon, the second around moves through all sites in the afternoon to early evening. Will have TEMPO group for all sites and MVFR ceilings and vis for when storms move through. After line of storms moves through, ceilings should return to VFR. Winds will become southeasterly this morning with gusts of 20-25kts. Afternoon winds become southwesterly with gusts pushing 35-40kts at all sites. Once storms and front moves through, winds become westerly with gusts around 20-25kts. && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through this evening for ILZ027>031-036>038. Wind Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 7 PM CDT this evening for ILZ040>057-061>063-066>068-071>073. && KEY MESSAGES...Copple DISCUSSION...Copple AVIATION...Auten/Copple
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 511 AM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026 ILZ027>031-036>038-040>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-181100- Knox-Stark-Peoria-Marshall-Woodford-Fulton-Tazewell-McLean-Schuyler- Mason-Logan-De Witt-Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Cass-Menard-Scott- Morgan-Sangamon-Christian-Macon-Moultrie-Douglas-Coles-Edgar-Shelby- Cumberland-Clark-Effingham-Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence- 511 AM CDT Wed Jun 17 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois, southeast Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Two rounds of severe thunderstorms will move through the area today into tonight. There is a moderate risk (level 4 of 5) that these storms will be severe. The risks are for strong and damaging tornadoes, damaging winds of 60-75 mph with some pockets of winds over 75 mph, and large hail over 2 inches. Flash flooding is also possible due to storms producing up to 2 inches of rainfall in a short amount of time. Southwest winds will also be quite gusty outside of the thunderstorms, with gusts of 35 to 50 mph across the whole area. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. River flooding is ongoing for portions of central IL. Please refer to the latest flood statements for details. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed this morning north of I-70 and then again this afternoon into this evening across the whole area. Expected storm motion is toward the east to southeast around 50-60 mph. Auten
The Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 76 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 13:39 UTC.
46 thunderstorm wind, 27 hail, 13 tornado, 6 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was blown onto a powerline at east Knox Rd. and Day St, resulting in a power outage.
A funeral home was damaged and a power outage was reported.
A trained spotter estimated a 60mph wind gust.
A tree was blown down.
A trained spotter estimated a 60mph wind gust.
Twelve power poles were snapped along a 0.6 mile stretch of 1700 East.
A trained spotter estimated a 60mph wind gust.
A tree was blown down on IL-29 south of Cedar Hills Dr.
A twelve-inch diameter tree limb was blown down.
The top of a utility pole was snapped off at Behrends Ave. and Hillman St.
Powerlines were blown down in town.
Two transmission line poles were broken off and blocked the road on North Middletown Ave. and Hubly St.
A 60mph wind gust was measured at the Emergency Operations Center.
Large tree limbs were blown down.
A semi was blown over on I-39.
Multiple semis and campers were rolled over on I-39 in the El Paso area.
Eight power poles were snapped in half at County Road 2800 East.
Wind gust observation from personal weather station, relayed through broadcast media.
A transmission pole was snapped and wires were hanging over the roadway at N 2380 E Rd. just south of E 900 N Rd.
A semi was blown over near the city of Chenoa.
A large tree was blown down over the road at 1419 Hickory Point in Germantown Hills.
Multiple trees were blown down and blocked roads in Waynesville.
A power pole was snapped at 106 N Locust Street in Wapella.
Two power poles were snapped along Highway 10 and Weldon Springs Road east of Clinton.
Low-lying and urban flooding occurred in Heyworth.
Photos showed wind damage at the Hand of Fate Brewery Building in Petersburg.
Water was flowing across both lanes of US-136 at 3900 E south of Bellflower.
A tornado touched down in southern Menard County near Hurie Avenue, just east of the community of Loyd. Tree branches were broken off as it tracked southeast through rural areas...reaching the Sangamon County line about 2.5 miles west of State Route 97.
The tornado crossed from Menard County into northern Sangamon County about 2.5 miles west of State Route 97. Tracking through the town of Salisbury, it mainly did tree damage, but also damaged a garage and roof of an adjacent home. As it continued southeast into northern Springfield, tree damage continued. On the northeast side of Springfield, it blew in the garage door of a business. East-southeast of Springfield, tree damage continued in rural areas. In these areas, the tornado followed the exact path of the June 10th 2026 EF1 tornado. The tornado ended about 2 miles west of Mechanicsburg.
A large oak tree was split with part of it falling onto a property fence.
A photo showed ping pong-sized hail measured with a ruler.
Water was flowing across the roadway at 1600E and 900N.
Power poles and trees were blown down on Highway 36 east of Dawson.
Transmission poles were blown down at Prairie Center and Drive In roads.
Social media aerial image showed straight line wind damage to trees and a farm outbuilding.
Water was flowing across the road at 19052 Country Road 850 North northwest of Downs.
A shed was destroyed by high winds.
Sheet metal was blown into a field near Niantic.
A powerline was blown down at 1209 West Park.
The tornado began in extreme northeast Christian County in the Griswold Conservation Area, causing extensive tree damage throughout the property. It then crossed into Macon County about 0.6 miles north of Route 48.
The tornado crossed from Christian County into Macon County 0.6 miles north of State Route 48, damaging trees and structures in Blue Mound, including the roof of|Meridian Elementary School. It also destroyed 2 grain bins south|of the school. It tracked east-southeast, taking down electrical|transmission lines and numerous large tree branches to the southeast of Route 51 before crossing into far northern Shelby County near Long Grove Creek.
A powerline was blown down at Shadow Ridge in Decatur.
The tornado crossed from Macon County into Shelby County just east of Route 51 near Long Grove Creek. It tracked east, just south of the county line for about 1.8 miles, damaging trees and electrical transmission lines. The tornado lifted 3 miles northeast of Moweaqua along N 1000 East Rd.
Ten trees were snapped.
Water was flowing across Route 121 southeast of Lincoln.
The tornado touched down in extreme northeast Shelby County along E 2800 North Road where it snapped a softwood tree and removed large branches from hardwood trees. It crossed into Moultrie County at E 2800 North Road and Route 128.
The tornado crossed from Shelby County into Moultrie County at Route 128 and CR 1500 N, tracking east about 3 miles before dissipating near CR 300 E. Tree damage was observed along the path, with softwoods snapped and large branches removed from hardwoods.
Trees were damaged and some siding was torn off homes.
Gust measured at Decatur ASOS.
Numerous powerlines were blown down across Macon county.
Six two-foot diameter trees were blown down and shingles were peeled off a roof.
A photo showed a 3-inch diameter jagged hailstone measured with a ruler...along with corn damaged from the large hail between Lovington and Arthur.
Wind driven tennis ball size hail put holes in siding and broke windows.
The roof of a turkey barn was partially torn off. A chimney was damaged and several trees were blown down as well.
The tornado developed 4 miles north of Mattoon and tracked|southeast, damaging trees, homes, and electrical transmission|lines as it crossed US Highway 45. It intensified as it reached|County Rd 700E, uprooting large hardwood trees and lifting the|roof off a single family residence. It continued east-southeast|from there, crossing Interstate 57 where it flipped a semi,|resulting in one injury. It then heavily damaged a few farm|outbuildings and trees on the western outskirts of Charleston. It|continued eastward through the north side of Charleston, causing|damage at the fairgrounds, a few outbuildings, an elementary school, and trees|throughout town before lifting 2 miles east of Charleston along|Illinois 16.
Route 10 between Weldon Springs and Taft Road was closed due to downed powerlines.
A tree was blown onto a power line, causing a fire.
The tornado touched down about 1.5 miles west of Pawnee Junction|near the I-55 exit, then traveled east across I-55 affecting|Commanche Village and the town of Pawnee before dissipating|0.75 miles southeast of Pawnee. During its time on the ground it|produced mainly EF0 tree damage, along with minor damage to home|soffits and roofs. No injuries were reported during its 5.7 mile|path.
Trees and powerlines were blown down on Route 104 between Taylorville and Kincaid.
Property and tree damage occurred at Ashmore Estates.
About a mile of powerlines were blown down along IL Rt. 16 from Ashmore eastbound. Several trees were downed and power poles were snapped as well.
A creek flowed out of its banks, resulting in three feet of water across a road.
The roofs of a couple businesses were blown off in downtown Marshall near Rt. 1 and Archer Ave.
Originating in Beecher City within Effingham County, the tornado|first touched down along E State Highway 33 at 7:56PM CDT. The storm's initial|path spanned approximately one-quarter mile in width, resulting|in EF0 and EF1 level damage. This impact was characterized by the|snapping and uprooting of large trees, alongside sporadic damage|to grain silos and farm out-buildings, with notable effects|observed near N 300th St on the outskirts of Beecher City.
Moving eastward through Shumway, the tornado crossed State |Highway 32 and proceeded parallel to E 1800th Ave. Although the |path width constricted to just over one-tenth of a mile, the storm|intensified, producing EF-2 level damage. The increased strength |resulted in hardwood and softwood tree trunks being snapped |approximately two-thirds of the way up. Additionally, the tornado |caused significant structural destruction, including the removal |of a roof from a single-family home and the collapse of several |farm outbuildings.
Upon reaching the northern outskirts of rural Effingham, the |tornado intensified to EF-3 status as it traveled along E 1800th |Ave. During this stage, the storm produced peak wind speeds |estimated at 145 mph, leading to severe tree damage and the total |destruction of one single-family home, which suffered complete |exterior wall collapses.
Continuing its path along Effingham's northern perimeter, the |EF-3 tornado maintained a width of one- tenth to one-quarter mile.|Substantial structural damage occurred at a farmstead on E 1680th|Ave, where several large outbuildings were demolished and a |single-family home suffered a total roof uplift alongside partial |exterior wall failure. Upon entering Effingham city limits and |crossing US HWY 45, the storm destroyed a substantial metal |building system after an X-brace failed on its eastern side. |Nearby properties sustained further structural and severe tree |damage, and the force of the winds threw a delivery van |approximately 150 yards to the east.
After departing Effingham, the tornado tracked southeastward and |broadened to a width of approximately one-third of a mile. As the |storm crossed Interstate 70, it inflicted major damage to trees |and caused total roof uplift at multiple single- family homes. The|tornado then proceeded across the northern and eastern parts of |Teutopolis, where it caused extensive structural destruction to a |farmstead located near the HWY 40 and N 1950th St intersection. |Impacts at this location included the complete destruction of |several large barns and outbuildings, as well as the total uplift |of a single- residence roof. The tornadic storm maintained its |EF-3 intensity as it moved eastward into rural Teutopolis, though |its path narrowed to roughly one-tenth of a mile. Near the |intersection of N 2100th St and E 1500th Ave, the storm produced |peak wind speeds of 140 mph, resulting in the destruction of two |single-family homes and significant damage to trees and |outbuildings. Multiple non-life-threatening injuries were reported|in this area. The tornado continued east-southeastward and crossed into western Jasper County along E 1400th Ave at 8:26PM CDT.
Several power lines and trees were blown down across town.
As the tornado moved across the Effingham-Jasper county line at the intersection of N 2400th St and E 1400th Ave, it continued on a southeastward trajectory while weakening to EF-2 intensity. With estimated wind speeds of approximately 120 mph, |the storm caused moderate damage to outbuildings and trees, along with minor structural impacts to single-family residences. The tornado continued to the southeast where it caused major roof damage to a two-story house, rolled an SUV, damaged an outbuilding, and snapped several large hardwood trees. Moving southeast toward |E 1700th Ave, the storm snapped the top of another large hardwood |and stripped shingles from a single-story residence, with further |tree damage reported just north of that location. East of N 700th |St, more tree damage occurred alongside shingle damage to a mobile |home. As the tornado tracked further along E 1700th Ave, it damaged |another outbuilding, two grain bins and additional trees before |finally lifting approximately 0.25 miles east of N 800th St.
A brief tornado touched down in rural Jasper County, about 2.5 miles southwest of Rose Hill. Tree damage was noted along N 1050th St, with trunks snapped on several hardwood trees.
A trained spotter and storm chaser shared video of a brief tornado about 3 miles southeast of Rose Hill. There was no damage noted in this rural part of the county.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Illinois in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Illinois, 2026Warnings in Illinois, June 2026
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: 1347489, 1347490, 1347478, 1347491, 1347479, 1347523, 1347480, 1347484, 1347497, 1347486, 1347485, 1347488, 1347481, 1347487, 1347492, 1347495, 1347496, 1347482, 1347494, 1347493, 1347347, 1347498, 1347348, 1347349, 1347499, 1347500, 1347501, 1347844, 1347502, 1347849, 1347146, 1347147, 1347517, 1347350, 1347351, 1347850, 1347505, 1347352, 1347353, 1347504, and more.