Hail, Moultrie
- When
- May 4, 7:30 PM CST to 7:35 PM CST
- Where
- Moultrie County, Lovington
- Measured
- 1 in hail
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 39.720, -88.630
A deep surface low pressure system was positioned north of the Great Lakes on the evening of May 4th, with an associated cold front pushing into and across central Illinois. The airmass ahead of the front was characterized by moderate instability and steep mid-level lapse rates, which supported large hail.
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 deep surface low pressure system was positioned north of the Great Lakes on the evening of May 4th, with an associated cold front pushing into and across central Illinois. The airmass ahead of the front was characterized by moderate instability and steep mid-level lapse rates, which supported large hail. Two areas of thunderstorms formed, the first being isolated supercells that tracked near and south of I-70 well ahead of the cold front. The other area was a broken line of storms that developed along the front and advanced southward across the region during the late evening. Both sets of storms produced large hail, the largest of which was ping pong ball-sized in Clay 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 May 4, 5:10 PM CST, 2 hours 20 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Lincoln IL 610 PM CDT Mon May 4 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - SW winds gusting 30-40 mph this afternoon east of the IL river will cause blowing dust in open/rural areas that have recently been tilled. Continued the Blowing Dust Advisory until 6 pm east of the IL river and north of I-70. Blowing dust can result in localized, sharply reduced visibilities for motorists to be use caution if traveling this afternoon in central IL. - Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms east of I-55 this afternoon, and become more widespread tonight. There is slight to marginal risk for large hail and damaging wind gusts, mainly from 7 pm to 1 am tonight. The higher risk of severe storms this evening (slight risk with level 2 of 5) is from Shelbyville to Paris north. && .UPDATE... Issued at 1045 AM CDT Mon May 4 2026 Updated the forecast to adjust chances of showers and thunderstorms the rest of today. Continued Blowing Dust Advisory from 11 am to 6 pm southeast of the IL river and north of Effingham, Cumberland and Clark counties. SW winds 10-20 mph and gusts of 20-30 mph to increase this afternoon with gusts 30-40 mph possible especially over east central IL per latest HRRR 10M wind gust forecast. This could lead to blowing dust in recently tilled fields between the IL river and I-70, especially in areas that stayed dry so far since last night. Radar mosaic shows a band of showers and thunderstorms from Springfield to Decatur to Paris south to near I-70 and tracking eastward quickly at 50 mph. There is a subtle short wave tracking quickly eastward with this convection along with 30-40 kt sw low level jet into central IL. This convection should weaken next few hours as LLJ weakens and short wave moves into Indiana. However more convection expected to develop late this afternoon and early evening mainly se of I-55, and also during this evening over nw CWA as cold front moves into nw IL during this evening. SPC Day1 outlook continues marginal risk of severe storms for large hail and damaging winds over much of IL for mainly late afternoon and evening hours, with areas from Canton to Decatur to Taylorville sw upgraded to a slight risk of severe storms. Breezy sw winds and some sunshine to warm temperatures to 75-80F degrees. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 245 PM CDT Mon May 4 2026 We have recently received a few reports of blowing dust since 130 pm over southeast parts of Logan and into Macon counties with sw winds gusting as high as 30-40 mph. Will continue the Blowing Dust Advisory until 6 pm east of the IL river and north of I-70. Radar mosaic at 230 pm shows some light southeast in southeast IL from I-70 south while a band of thunderstorms was sw of Vandalia to south side of St Louis metro and tracking eastward across southern IL. A fair amount of sunshine nw of a Rantoul to Taylorville line at mid afternoon helping warm temperatures up into the mid to upper 70s. Mid to upper 70s also in far southeast IL from Robinson to Olney to Fairfield se while cooler 65-72 degrees over cloudier areas of eastern IL. The 19Z/2 pm surface map shows a cold front over southeast parts of WI/Iowa into far nw MO and central KS. IL was in the warm sector so far. We have some capping over central and southern CWA at mid afternoon that has keep thunderstorms below severe levels so far despite MUCAPES of 1-2k j/kg and MLCapes 500-1k j/kg and effective bulk shear values of 35-50 kts. Cold front to push se into nw IL during this evening and will see sw LLJ 35-40 kts into central IL helping to develop scattered convection during this evening and a few cells could appear late afternoon/early evening in eastern IL and getting into Knox and Stark and nw Marshall counties by sunset and shifting se into central IL during this evening. SPC Day1 outlook has slight risk over much of central IL from Shelbyville to Paris northwest and marginal risk southeast. SPC has 2% risk of tornadoes in slight risk area, while 5-15% risk of damaging winds over CWA (highest ne of BMI). Also have 5-15% risk of large hail over area, with the 15% risk in slight risk area. Also have level 1 for 2 inch or larger hail over west central IL into northern MO for late afternoon and evening. Cold front to press se toward IL river valley early overnight and into southeast IL late Tue morning to midday Tue. Chance of severe storms shift south of CWA on Tue though we have marginal risk of excessive rainfall in southeast IL where 1-2 inches possible. Showers to diminish from nw to se during Tue night wile just slight chances of showers on Wed mainly south of I-74. Much cooler Tue with the clouds and showers, with highs 55-60F over central IL and 60-65 in southeast IL from I-70 se. Lows in the lower 40s central IL Tue night and mid 40s southeast IL. Cool highs Wed in the mid to upper 50s with even cooler lows in the upper 30s in central IL and lower 40s in southeast IL. A large mid/upper level trof over the Midwest/Great Lakes and Ohio river valley Thu could keep slight chances of light rain showers around though we currently have pops less than 20% on Thu. Highs Thu 60-65F, mildest over west central IL. A northern stream short wave trof dives se into the area on Friday afternoon bringing a chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms Fri afternoon and Fri evening. Breezy sw winds on Friday warms temps up to 65-70F. Saturday currently looks dry and comfortable with highs in the low to mid 70s. But another another disturbance moving in overnight Sat night and Sunday (Mothers Day) to return chances of showers and thunderstorms. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 610 PM CDT Mon May 4 2026 Several rounds of showers and storms are expected the next 24 hours with the main waves being this evening and again tomorrow morning into early afternoon. Breezy southwest winds will lessen shortly after 00Z, with speeds remaining around 10-15 kts through the overnight hours. A cold front will shift winds to the north-northwest late tonight into Tuesday morning. MVFR ceilings develop behind the departing rain Tuesday, with at least a low chance for these to impact KDEC and KCMI. However, higher chances (60-80%) remain just south and east of the airfields. && .ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Blowing Dust Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for ILZ031- 037-038-041>048-050>057-061. && KEY MESSAGES...07 UPDATE...07 DISCUSSION...07 AVIATION...NMA
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Lincoln IL 256 PM CDT Mon May 4 2026 ILZ027>031-036>038-040>057-061-051100- 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- 256 PM CDT Mon May 4 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east central Illinois and west central Illinois. .DAY ONE...Late This Afternoon and Tonight. Gusty winds of 30 to 40 mph will combine with loose top soil to create areas of blowing dust this afternoon. This is most likely north of I-72 and Danville, where morning rainfall was minimal. The blowing dust may reduce visibilities to less than 1/2 mile at times. Conditions should improve around 7 pm when wind speeds are reduced. Scattered thunderstorms are expected late afternoon into tonight, as a cold front sweeps through the area. Some of these may be severe, with hail being the primary concern. Most of the hail should be the size of quarters, but west central Illinois may see some as large as golf balls. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. A few thunderstorms may linger into Tuesday over east central Illinois, though severe weather is not expected. Minor flooding will continue along the Illinois River from Havana to Beardstown into early next week, though river levels will slowly fall during this period. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed after 7 pm. Expected storm motion is toward the east at 45 mph. ILZ062-063-066>068-071>073-051100- Cumberland-Clark-Effingham-Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence- 256 PM CDT Mon May 4 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Illinois. .DAY ONE...Late This Afternoon and Tonight. Scattered thunderstorms will redevelop this afternoon, and continue into tonight. A few of the storms may be strong or locally severe, with damaging gusts up to 60 mph and hail up to 1 inch the primary severe weather threat. Lingering flooding on the lower Embarras River and Wabash River should subside today. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Thunderstorms are still possible Tuesday into Tuesday evening. Severe weather is not expected with any of these storms at this time. Minor flooding on the Little Wabash River near Clay City will continue for several more days. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this evening. Expected storm motion is toward the east at 45 mph. Geelhart
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
326 PM CDT Mon May 4 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0238 PM Dust Storm 2 ESE Latham 39.95N 89.12W
05/04/2026 Macon IL Public
Photo showing dust blowing across IL-121
between Latham and Warrensburg, reducing
visibility. Report relayed by broadcast
media.
0245 PM Dust Storm 1 S Chestnut 40.03N 89.18W
05/04/2026 Logan IL Public
Photo shows a dust channel south of
Chestnut, near the intersection of 800th St
and 2200th Avenue. Report relayed by
broadcast media.
0307 PM Dust Storm 2 SSE Lake of the Woods 40.18N 88.36W
05/04/2026 Champaign IL Broadcast Media
Near zero visibility east of Mahomet on US
150.
0315 PM Dust Storm De Witt 40.19N 88.79W
05/04/2026 De Witt IL Broadcast Media
Photo shows dust blowing across Route 54
near De Witt. Despite cloud-free skies, the
sky appears murky with a brown tint.
&&
ErwinPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
344 PM CDT Mon May 4 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0312 PM Dust Storm Fisher 40.32N 88.35W
05/04/2026 Champaign IL Public
Videos shows blowing dust reducing
visibility in Fisher to around a quarter
mile. Outdoor objects were reportedly
covered with a thin layer of dust.
0315 PM Dust Storm 2 NNW Maroa 40.06N 88.97W
05/04/2026 De Witt IL Public
Photo showing low visibility on US-51
between Clinton and Forsyth.
0315 PM Dust Storm 1 W Warrensburg 39.94N 89.09W
05/04/2026 Macon IL Public
Security camera shows reduced visibility
under a quarter mile at times due to blowing
dust.
0320 PM Dust Storm 3 NNE Ivesdale 39.98N 88.43W
05/04/2026 Champaign IL Public
Photo shows blowing dust north of Ivesdale,
reducing visibility. Report relayed by
broadcast media.
0324 PM Dust Storm 3 NNW Latham 40.00N 89.19W
05/04/2026 Logan IL Emergency Mngr
Zero visibility in the 2100 block of 600th
Street.
0325 PM Dust Storm 1 WNW Maroa 40.04N 88.97W
05/04/2026 Macon IL Law Enforcement
Low visibility due to blowing dust near
Maroa. Report relayed by emergency manager.
&&
ErwinPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
358 PM CDT Mon May 4 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0320 PM Dust Storm 5 SE White Heath 40.03N 88.45W
05/04/2026 Champaign IL Broadcast Media
Public photo shows near-zero visibility
along Monticello Road west of I-57 due to
blowing dust. Time estimated using
satellite.
0330 PM Dust Storm 2 W Argenta 39.98N 88.86W
05/04/2026 Macon IL Public
Photo shows near zero visibility along Emery
Road, west of Argenta.
&&
ErwinPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
417 PM CDT Mon May 4 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0353 PM Dust Storm 3 SE Lake of the Woods 40.17N 88.33W
05/04/2026 Champaign IL Broadcast Media
Visibility around a quarter mile along I-74
between Mahomet and Champaign due to blowing
dust.
0410 PM Dust Storm 2 SSE Bellflower 40.31N 88.51W
05/04/2026 McLean IL Law Enforcement
Illinois State Police reports dust storm has
led to the closure of US 136 between Highway
54 and the Champaign County line.
&&
ErwinPreliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
502 PM CDT Mon May 4 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0238 PM Dust Storm 2 ESE Latham 39.95N 89.12W
05/04/2026 Macon IL Public
Photo showing dust blowing across IL-121
between Latham and Warrensburg, reducing
visibility. Report relayed by broadcast
media.
0245 PM Dust Storm 1 S Chestnut 40.03N 89.18W
05/04/2026 Logan IL Public
Photo shows a dust channel south of
Chestnut, near the intersection of 800th St
and 2200th Avenue. Report relayed by
broadcast media.
0307 PM Dust Storm 2 SSE Lake of the Woods 40.18N 88.36W
05/04/2026 Champaign IL Broadcast Media
Near zero visibility east of Mahomet on US
150.
0312 PM Dust Storm Fisher 40.32N 88.35W
05/04/2026 Champaign IL Public
Videos shows blowing dust reducing
visibility in Fisher to around a quarter
mile. Outdoor objects were reportedly
covered with a thin layer of dust.
0315 PM Dust Storm 1 W Warrensburg 39.94N 89.09W
05/04/2026 Macon IL Public
Security camera shows reduced visibility
under a quarter mile at times due to blowing
dust.
0315 PM Dust Storm 2 NNW Maroa 40.06N 88.97W
05/04/2026 De Witt IL Public
Photo showing low visibility on US-51
between Clinton and Forsyth.
0315 PM Dust Storm De Witt 40.19N 88.79W
05/04/2026 De Witt IL Broadcast Media
Photo shows dust blowing across Route 54
near De Witt. Despite cloud-free skies, the
sky appears murky with a brown tint.
0320 PM Dust Storm 5 SE White Heath 40.03N 88.45W
05/04/2026 Champaign IL Broadcast Media
Public photo shows near-zero visibility
along Monticello Road west of I-57 due to
blowing dust. Time estimated using
satellite.
0320 PM Dust Storm 3 NNE Ivesdale 39.98N 88.43W
05/04/2026 Champaign IL Public
Photo shows blowing dust north of Ivesdale,
reducing visibility. Report relayed by
broadcast media.
0324 PM Dust Storm 3 NNW Latham 40.00N 89.19W
05/04/2026 Logan IL Emergency Mngr
Zero visibility in the 2100 block of 600th
Street.
0325 PM Dust Storm 1 WNW Maroa 40.04N 88.97W
05/04/2026 Macon IL Law Enforcement
Low visibility due to blowing dust near
Maroa. Report relayed by emergency manager.
0330 PM Dust Storm 2 W Argenta 39.98N 88.86W
05/04/2026 Macon IL Public
Photo shows near zero visibility along Emery
Road, west of Argenta.
0353 PM Dust Storm 3 SE Lake of the Woods 40.17N 88.33W
05/04/2026 Champaign IL Broadcast Media
Visibility around a quarter mile along I-74
between Mahomet and Champaign due to blowing
dust.
0410 PM Dust Storm 2 SSE Bellflower 40.31N 88.51W
05/04/2026 McLean IL Law Enforcement
Illinois State Police reports dust storm has
led to the closure of US 136 between Highway
54 and the Champaign County line.
&&
ErwinSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
813 PM CDT Mon May 4 2026
ILZ028>031-037-050200-
Tazewell-Marshall-Peoria-Woodford-Stark-
813 PM CDT Mon May 4 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN MARSHALL...WESTERN
WOODFORD...SOUTHEASTERN STARK...NORTHEASTERN TAZEWELL AND
NORTHEASTERN PEORIA COUNTIES THROUGH 900 PM CDT...
At 813 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Edelstein to near Dunlap to 6 miles
northwest of Peoria. Movement was east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Peoria, East Peoria, Chillicothe, Eureka, Lacon, Washington,
Metamora, Germantown Hills, Rome, Dunlap, Washburn, Deer Creek,
Spring Bay, Sparland, Edelstein, Kickapoo, Peoria Heights, Cazenovia,
Hopewell, and Bay View Gardens.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 474 between mile markers 0 and 1.
Interstate 74 between mile markers 78 and 90.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4098 8922 4076 8922 4062 8934 4079 8983
4093 8974 4109 8972
TIME...MOT...LOC 0113Z 290DEG 36KT 4100 8964 4087 8962 4078 8972
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
NMAThe Lincoln radar (KILX), 77 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 01:30 UTC.
15 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
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, May 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: 1324999, 1325000, 1325001, 1325002, 1325004, 1325005, 1325006, 1325007, 1325008, 1325009, 1325010, 1325011, 1325012, 1325013, 1325014.