A pre-frontal trough triggered a few clusters of thunderstorms across central Illinois from the late morning through the early evening of June 9th. Thanks to copious atmospheric moisture, one cell dropped heavy rainfall and caused localized flash flooding in parts of Fulton County.
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 pre-frontal trough triggered a few clusters of thunderstorms across central Illinois from the late morning through the early evening of June 9th. Thanks to copious atmospheric moisture, one cell dropped heavy rainfall and caused localized flash flooding in parts of Fulton County. Another storm later in the day produced damaging wind gusts and flash flooding in rural Edgar 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 Lincoln, IL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 9, 12:18 PM CST, 19 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 118 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Slow moving thunderstorms will bring a localized risk of 2-3 inches of heavy rain to portions of central Illinois this afternoon through tonight. A few stronger storms could also produce isolated damaging wind gusts. - Severe thunderstorms will impact the region Wednesday afternoon through Thursday night. Damaging straight-line winds are the primary hazard, but there remains a lesser threat of hail and an isolated tornado. - High temperatures in the 90s will drive heat index values into the upper 90s and lower 100s Wednesday and Thursday. There is a 20 to 30 percent chance for heat index values in excess of 100. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 110 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026 Near-Term Outlook: Unsettled Pattern... The forecast area is locked into an unsettled weather pattern, featuring nearly daily opportunities for shower and thunderstorm development through the upcoming weekend. This afternoon, a remnant Mesoscale Convective Vortex (MCV) is tracking eastward near the I-72 corridor. Convection is currently intensifying within the warm advection wing just north of the MCVs track. SPC mesoanalysis reveals uncapped MLCAPE values of 1500-2500 J/kg ahead of this feature; however, effective shear remains modest at 20-25 kt. While weak shear may limit organized storm longevity, localized gusty winds and slow-moving or training convective elements present a threat for rainfall swaths of 2-3 inches. Farther south, near and south of I-70, a remnant outflow boundary is initiating isolated activity within an axis of higher instability, posing a limited severe threat primarily driven by damaging wind potential. As we move into tonight, southwest flow aloft will reestablish across the region, supported by a strengthening low-level jet in the mid-Missouri Valley. While the most robust instability remains focused to our west, the gradient extends into portions of central Illinois, driving a warm air advection-driven chance for showers and storms that should shift northeast of the forecast area by daybreak Wednesday. Mid-Week Heat and Severe Potential... Wednesday and Thursday will feature widespread temperatures in the 90s, with heat indices climbing into the upper 90s to lower 100s. At this time, confidence in meeting Heat Advisory criteria (max heat index near 105F) remains low, with LREF probabilities for heat indices exceeding 100F generally holding in the 20-30 percent range for areas south of I-70 on Wednesday and south of a Rushville to Terre Haute line on Thursday. The primary limiting factors for higher heat readings will be clouds and lingering convective debris. By Wednesday afternoon, central Illinois will reside firmly within the warm sector as a warm front surges northward into Wisconsin, accompanied by breezy south to southwest winds. While modest capping and displacement from the primary forcing should maintain a largely dry first half of the day, we are monitoring two waves of potential thunderstorm development originating in Iowa and Missouri. These complexes may grow upscale and traverse portions of central Illinois from mid-afternoon through late evening. With MLCAPE values projected to exceed 2000 J/kg, deep- layer shear will be sufficient to support severe storms. Linear storm modes suggest wind will be the primary hazard, though the environment remains supportive of hail and the potential for an isolated tornado. Late-Week Transition and Weekend Outlook... A robust shortwave trough is expected to lift into the Upper Midwest on Thursday, finally driving a cold front through central Illinois by Thursday evening and overnight. Ahead of this boundary, the GFS suggests a broad, unstable warm sector with MLCAPE values exceeding 3000 J/kg. Coupled with deep-layer shear of 25-35 kt and 0-1km shear of 15-25 kt, the kinematic environment is seasonably strong. While pre-frontal discrete activity with all severe hazards is possible, the primary concern remains straight-line winds as convective elements congeal into a line along and ahead of the front. Lingering showers and storms over southeast Illinois on Friday morning will quickly exit, giving way to clearing skies as high pressure builds into the region. This will provide a brief return to more seasonal conditions, with highs in the lower to mid-80s and dew points mixing down into the upper 50s. For the weekend and into early next week, the pattern turns more zonal aloft while a low-level baroclinic zone wobbles over the region. This setup maintains additional chances for showers and thunderstorms, though specifics regarding timing and coverage remain uncertain at this forecast range. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 1221 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026 MVFR ceilings have developed late this morning and early afternoon, but anticipate these clouds will lift to VFR around the time the 18Z TAFs go into effect. Late this evening and overnight, a warm front lifting across the region will be the focus for scattered thunderstorms. Anticipated lower coverage and low confidence in the exact location of storm initiation precludes more than a prob30 mention at this time. SSW winds will prevail through the period outside the influence of any storms. Gusts to around 20 kt will develop by late morning Wednesday. && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && KEY MESSAGES...Deubelbeiss DISCUSSION...Deubelbeiss AVIATION...Deubelbeiss
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 512 AM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026 ILZ027>031-036>038-040>053-101100- Knox-Stark-Peoria-Marshall-Woodford-Fulton-Tazewell-McLean-Schuyler- Mason-Logan-De Witt-Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Cass-Menard-Scott- Morgan-Sangamon-Christian-Macon- 512 AM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. The heat index this afternoon will range from the mid 90s near the Indiana border, to just over 100 degrees across the Illinois River Valley. Scattered thunderstorms are possible today, with a better chance this evening near the I-74 corridor. While the severe weather threat is not high, a few of the storms may briefly be severe, with damaging winds. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. A couple more days of heat and humidity are on tap, with the heat index on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons at or just above 100 degrees. Isolated thunderstorms are possible northwest of the Illinois River Wednesday afternoon, with better chances of storms Wednesday night and especially Thursday afternoon and evening. Some of these storms are likely to be severe. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and early evening. ILZ054>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-101100- Moultrie-Douglas-Coles-Edgar-Shelby-Cumberland-Clark-Effingham- Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence- 512 AM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Illinois and southeast Illinois. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. The heat index this afternoon will range from 95 to 100 degrees. Scattered thunderstorms are expected through this evening. A few of these may be briefly severe, with damaging winds the main concern. Areas of heavy rain may lead to localized flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. A couple more days of heat and humidity are on tap, with the heat index on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons at or just above 100 degrees. Thunderstorms are expected Thursday evening as a cold front passes through the area. Some of these are likely to be severe. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon and evening. Geelhart
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
758 AM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0758 AM Rain 1 N Windsor 39.45N 88.60W
06/09/2026 M1.50 Inch Shelby IL CO-OP Observer
24 hour COOP report.
&&
RACPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
841 AM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0820 AM Rain 3 W Bismarck 40.26N 87.67W
06/09/2026 M1.48 Inch Vermilion IL Trained Spotter
24 hour rainfall report from SWOP observer.
&&
RACPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
845 AM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0815 AM Rain 2 NW Grandview 39.83N 89.64W
06/09/2026 E2.48 Inch Sangamon IL Public
Storm total rainfall.
&&
RACPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1108 AM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1100 AM Rain 1 WSW Arthur 39.71N 88.49W
06/09/2026 M2.46 Inch Moultrie IL CO-OP Observer
24 hour rainfall total.
&&
RACPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1109 AM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1109 AM Rain 1 E Casey 39.30N 87.97W
06/09/2026 M1.56 Inch Clark IL CO-OP Observer
24 hour rainfall report.
&&
RACSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
112 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026
ILZ036-037-091845-
Tazewell-Fulton-
112 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN FULTON...WESTERN
TAZEWELL AND SOUTHWESTERN PEORIA COUNTIES THROUGH 145 PM CDT...
At 111 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Cuba, or near Canton, moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Canton, Lewistown, Cuba, St. David, Dunfermline, Bryant, Norris,
Little America, and Fiatt.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4066 8999 4063 8999 4063 8995 4045 8990
4044 8991 4044 8993 4041 8997 4040 9023
4052 9028
TIME...MOT...LOC 1811Z 238DEG 15KT 4050 9012
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
NMAThe Lincoln radar (KILX), 91 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:35 UTC.
2 flash flood, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Water was flowing across IL-95 at Smithfield.
Several trees were blown down and corn was damaged by thunderstorm winds about 3 miles north-northeast of Oliver.
Water was flowing across several country roads after 1 inch of rainfall in just 23 minutes about 3 miles north-northeast of Oliver.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Illinois in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings 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: 1341208, 1341204, 1341205.