Southern Illinois Storm Chasers Page

07/11/2026

I went out and took a few lightning shots last night.

It was really showing off and talking to us yesterday. Those are the kind of evenings I like. For best results, wait until the storm passes you, and the rain stops. If you have those storms that are producing a lot of lightning, it can be magical on the back side of the storm cells. And once in a while, you also get those storms that seem like they're just stationary, it'll just sit there for a long time producing lightning if the conditions are just right.

07/11/2026

2 severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued.

07/10/2026

Here comes round 1 of storms. No thunderstorm or tornado warnings have been issued so far.

KPAH - Super-Res Reflectivity 1, 6:28 PM

07/10/2026

07/10/2026

I got up this morning and I was going to make a post about this and for some reason it just went by the wayside.

I knew that this was going to happen this afternoon so I guess I just decided to wait.

The system that was going to fire in Missouri is going to come this way, so I knew that they were going to extend it into Southern Illinois which they did...

The only difference between yesterday and today is the tornado Outlook...

So we'll need to pay a little bit more attention to this this evening. If you hear a tornado sirens this evening or later tonight take them seriously.

Stay safe, here's your heads up!

Make sure you click on the graphics and read the descriptions. Explains a little further.

SPC AC 101953

Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0253 PM CDT Fri Jul 10 2026

Valid 102000Z - 111200Z

...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FOR PORTIONS OF THE SOUTHERN HIGH PLAINS AND THE OZARK VALLEY REGION...

...SUMMARY... Strong to severe thunderstorms capable of producing scattered severe/damaging winds and occasional hail will be possible this afternoon and evening from parts of the southern/central High Plains to the Ozarks and mid Mississippi Valley.

...20Z Update... The previous forecast (see below) remains on track, with only minor changes made to the 20Z Convective Outlook to account for observations and guidance consensus.

..Squitieri.. 07/10/2026

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1130 AM CDT Fri Jul 10 2026/

...Southern/Central High Plains... Scattered high-based thunderstorms are forecast later this afternoon in a weak low-level upslope regime. Ample heating due to the void of cloud cover and a high sun angle will facilitate the development of very steep lower tropospheric lapse rates. A cluster or two is forecast to eventually evolve this evening over southeast CO and from the OK-TX Panhandles into far eastern NM. Severe gusts (60-70 mph) will be the primary hazard. Isolated hail may also occur with the stronger cores given moderate deep-layer shear.

...Ozarks to the Mid Mississippi Valley... An MCV near the northeast KS/southeast NE border will migrate eastward today and serve as a forcing impetus for thunderstorms this afternoon. Heating in wake of earlier showers/storms will act to destabilize the boundary layer ahead of storms forming in proximity to the MCV. Some modest enhancement of mid-level westerly flow may promote organized storms, including possibly supercells, in addition to organized clusters. Hail and severe gusts will be the primary hazards with this activity.

...Tennessee Valley/Southeast to the Mid-Atlantic/Ohio Valley... An MCV moving into the southern Appalachians will likely aid additional convective development this afternoon over the southern Appalachians and into the Piedmont by late afternoon. Multicells capable of localized damaging gusts (50-60 mph) will be the primary threat with the stronger water-loaded downdrafts. A somewhat separate area of thunderstorm development is also forecast farther north across parts of the Mid-Atlantic/OH Valley where multiple weak mid-level perturbations should develop eastward in generally zonal flow aloft. While mid-level winds and related deep-layer shear will be slightly stronger across this region compared to areas farther south, instability should be weaker. Regardless, occasional strong/damaging winds may occur with any thunderstorm clusters that can develop along/south of a front this afternoon across the Mid-Atlantic/OH Valley.

...Western Florida Peninsula... A couple of stronger storms may develop along the sea breeze this afternoon. PW near 2 inches will support water-loaded downdrafts capable of localized severe gusts and perhaps wind damage.

...Northern Plains/Upper Midwest... Isolated to scattered thunderstorms may develop this afternoon along/near a weak front from parts of eastern SD and vicinity into western MN. Deep-layer shear will be weak and limit storm organization but steepened lapse rates may support an isolated risk for localized severe gusts or marginally severe hail with the stronger cores.

...Southeast AZ... Forecast soundings later today show 20-kt northeasterly 500-mb flow atop weak low-level westerly flow. This slight enhancement to flow may aid in storm movement and some cold pool organization with the scattered convection that develops. Steep surface to 400-mb lapse rates may enable a few severe gusts with the stronger cores.

CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT

NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 1 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 0100Z

07/09/2026

Somebody sent me a text message and said hey how come I haven't seen an update about slight risk issued for Southern Illinois today.

I'm going to be honest with you guys I have been sick since June and I am feeling like hot garbage!

So I'm going to jump on here and do this quickly. I usually would be all about this. But honestly I did not think that this was going to be a slight risk day.

Basically this is a slight risk for Southern Illinois mostly for just high winds. Please let me show you what I'm talking about. The Storm prediction Center breaks this down in different ways.

I have attached images, the chances of us seeing tornadoes in Illinois today is not zero, but it's close. Mostly the slight chance was issued in Illinois just for possibility of high winds.

Okay now I'm going to go back to bed. I don't feel good. Stay tuned to the local weather forecast I think there's some stuff happening in the Boot Heal of Missouri right now. Nothing happening in Southern Illinois and if it does happen, I'll probably sleep through it, I'm just being honest. I have been sick for over a month and I'm tired. My doctor wants to wait two more weeks before he does anything to see if my body will heal itself. I have a VA doctor what can I say 🤷 anyway you guys stay safe, watch local weather. I got to be honest with you I'm not that worried about southern Illinois today. I don't think we're going to have a major tornado outbreak.

Have a good day. ✌️

07/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BYT7VsVxs/

06/29/2026

I normally cover SPC weather events but this is pretty dangerous, what's getting ready to happen. It's been hot the last couple of days, but we are now under an EXTREME HEAT WARNING. It is going to get quite hot. From what I am reading record setting heat. Please follow the precautionary preparedness advice in this warning. I am not going to be in the southern Illinois area during this event, I have to go out of town so stay tuned to local weather, but here is your heads up before I leave.

Extreme Heat Warning issued June 29 at 1:49AM CDT until July 3 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Counties: Jefferson; Wayne; Edwards; Wabash; Perry; 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; Webster; Hopkins; Christian; Henderson; Daviess; McLean; Muhlenberg; Todd; Perry; Bollinger; Cape Girardeau; Wayne; Carter; Ripley; Butler; Stoddard; Scott; Mississippi; New Madrid..EXTREME HEAT WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM CDT /NOON EDT/ THIS MORNING TO 8 PM CDT /9 PM EDT/ FRIDAY...

* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values of 105 to 110 expected.

* WHERE...Portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri.

* WHEN...From 11 AM CDT /noon EDT/ this morning to 8 PM CDT /9 PM EDT/ Friday.

* IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Please stay safe, hydrated, and cool. I'll be back after the 4th of July. ✌️

06/26/2026

Most of the Southern Illinois area is under a flood watch. Just a few minutes ago I posted a flood warning. Stay tuned to local weather, I have to catch a quick cat nap for at least a couple hours if I can. When I wake up I'll be right back on the job. I have a feeling it's going to be a long day.

Flood Watch issued June 26 at 1:32AM CDT until June 27 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Counties: Jefferson; Wayne; Edwards; Wabash; Perry; Franklin; Hamilton; White; Jackson; Williamson; Saline; Gallatin; Union; Johnson; Pope; Hardin; Alexander; Pulaski; Massac; Gibson; Pike; Posey; Vanderburgh; Warrick; Spencer; Union; Henderson; Perry; Bollinger; Cape Girardeau; Wayne; Carter; Ripley; Butler; Stoddard; Scott..FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING...

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible.

* WHERE...Portions of southern Illinois, including the following areas, Alexander, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Massac, Perry IL, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne IL, White and Williamson, southwest Indiana, including the following areas, Gibson, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh and Warrick, western Kentucky, including the following areas, Henderson and Union KY, and southeast Missouri, including the following areas, Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Perry MO, Ripley, Scott, Stoddard and Wayne MO.

* WHEN...Through Saturday morning.

* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Low-water crossings may be flooded.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are expected through Saturday. Repeated rounds of heavy rainfall from thunderstorms could produce flash flooding. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

Flooding is a coast-to-coast threat to some part of the United States and its territories nearly every day of the year. This site is designed to teach you how to stay safe in a flood event. If you know what to do before, during, and after a flood you can increase your chances of survival and bet...

06/26/2026

Flash flood warning for the following places in Johnson and Union counties in Southern Illinois.