Illinois Public Media News is monitoring storms forecasted for Champaign-Urbana and surrounding areas on February 27. This post will be updated with information from the National Weather Service in Lincoln and Chambana Weather meteorologist Andrew Pritchard.
Trying to wrap my head around what just happened.
Observed a pair of tornadoes just outside the Champaign-Urbana, #ilwx city limits 8:40-9:00 AM on Monday morning, one from close range.
Video coming… pic.twitter.com/RJ2pUSqO1v
— Andrew Pritchard (@skydrama) February 27, 2023
10:09 am — Tornado Watch has been issued for east central Illinois, as the threat continues to expand to the east and south of Champaign. #ILwx https://t.co/7Jqy8PuYqD
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 27, 2023
10:13 am — While a tornado does not appear imminent at the moment, the storms over Champaign and Vermilion Counties will be capable of 60 mph winds and quarter size hail. However, remain alert for potential tornado activity in these areas. #ILwx https://t.co/H3QtrOEkcZ
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 27, 2023
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Hoopeston IL, Rossville IL and Gifford IL until 11:15 AM CST pic.twitter.com/fI0mbgW8zo
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 27, 2023
10:06 am — Besides the tornado threat, the storms have a history of producing hail up to quarter size. Tornado threat has shifted northeast of Champaign and Urbana at this time. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/YP2TaD3CHU
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 27, 2023
From 9:58am: rain & some hail near Champaign’s West Side Park as storm sirens wail. @ChambanaWX @NWSLincolnIL @skydrama pic.twitter.com/PBC4YBTA9E
— Illinois Newsroom (@ILNewsroom) February 27, 2023
When tornado 🚨 are blaring but the news never stops… our @ILNewsroom and @21stShow teams continue to work while sheltering. pic.twitter.com/qrVFRCAeni
— Illinois Public Media (@ILPublicMedia) February 27, 2023
Tornado Warning including Rantoul IL, Thomasboro IL and Gifford IL until 9:15 AM CST pic.twitter.com/Ykh30Uvf5k
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 27, 2023
Tornado, moments ago, in far W Champaign, IL. Dissipated at 8:49AM. pic.twitter.com/O7rVEq7Cw4
— Matt Reardon (@mcreard) February 27, 2023
9:15 am — The Tornado Warning has been allowed to expire in Champaign County, as the storm has weakened. We're monitoring additional storms further southwest near Champaign once again, but at the moment they do not appear severe. #ILwx
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 27, 2023
Tornado Warning including Rantoul IL, Thomasboro IL and Gifford IL until 9:15 AM CST pic.twitter.com/Ykh30Uvf5k
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 27, 2023
Second tornado in progress north of Urbana, Illinois at 8:55 Am #ilwx @NWSLincolnIL pic.twitter.com/JyS5e47kZq
— Andrew Pritchard (@skydrama) February 27, 2023
Tornado west of Champaign Illinois right now seek shelter north side of Champaign Urbana #ilwx @NWSLincolnIL pic.twitter.com/0qtYxqBiiN
— Andrew Pritchard (@skydrama) February 27, 2023
7 am — Showers and isolated storms continue to push northeast, with the heaviest rains from Lincoln to southwest of Springfield. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/nVUUyxaHCL
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 27, 2023
Curious evolution with convection on the back side of the larger area of rain sweeping through central Illinois this morning. Cells may need watched for an eventual risk of damaging winds (and an isolated tornado?). pic.twitter.com/LOmdzWAMKU
— Andrew Pritchard (@skydrama) February 27, 2023
Good Monday morning! Breezy rain showers and perhaps a few rumbles of thunder take us through much of our Monday, though rain & clouds may begin to clear up this afternoon. We'll top out around 60 degrees today, a little bit cooler but still quite mild tomorrow. #ilwx #uiuc pic.twitter.com/wyc5TGWmDJ
— Chambana Weather (@ChambanaWX) February 27, 2023
Rain and embedded thunderstorms are moving northeast across central Illinois early this morning. An area of convection embedded in the rain poses the greatest threat for damaging winds gusts up to 60 mph. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/zTWSUtUQIs
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 27, 2023
Severe storms are forecast to erupt across the Southern Plains this evening, and there's a slight risk that scattered strong to severe storms may quickly race into portions of central Illinois early on Monday morning. Risk in Champaign-Urbana area is greatest between 6-10 AM. pic.twitter.com/K4rJe7vEKc
— Andrew Pritchard (@skydrama) February 26, 2023
A strong low pressure system crossing the Midwest tonight and Monday will bring a potential for severe thunderstorms Monday morning. Outside of storms, winds will be strong from the south early Monday, before switching westerly behind a frontal passage. 40-50 mph gusts. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/pdgR6eLfJ2
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 26, 2023
Strong low pressure will track northwest of the area tonight and Monday morning. This will bring gusty south winds early Monday morning, followed by gusty west winds after a frontal passage late Monday morning. Gusts of 40-50 mph expected. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/CrvkKpK8da
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 26, 2023
A fast moving line of thunderstorms is forecast to race east across central and SE IL between 4-9 am Monday. The primary severe weather concerns are damaging straight line winds, and a few brief tornadoes embedded within the line of storms. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/2X9fWRIEyZ
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 26, 2023
A light wintry mix is expected to overspread parts of central Illinois from west to east tonight. While precipitation amounts will be light, slick spots could develop on roadways. The best chance for light ice accumulations is near the I-72 corridor. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/BkSjEqusWK
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 24, 2023
Chilly tonight, with a light wintry mix possible across portions of central Illinois, but a warming trend is expected this weekend. Rain and windy conditions return Sunday evening into Monday. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/KxIxlQi2Qn
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 24, 2023
Sunday evening into Monday, a strong storm system will bring gusty winds, rain, and a few thunderstorms to the area. There is the potential for wind gusts over 45 mph, rainfall totals of a half inch to one inch, and a few strong thunderstorms. #ILwx pic.twitter.com/K3I8AN9T46
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 24, 2023
Though we've turned chilly today, warmer temperatures return over the weekend. I'm guessing a lot of us will be outdoors on Sunday! Another round of spring showers is expected on Monday. Have a great weekend! pic.twitter.com/TRNEWo7H6p
— Chambana Weather (@ChambanaWX) February 24, 2023
A strong storm system will bring gusty winds Sunday night through Monday night, though uncertainty surrounds just how windy it will get. There is the potential for some gusts to reach 45 to 50 mph south of I-72/Danville during the day. #ilwx pic.twitter.com/lLaQPnp4GZ
— NWS Lincoln IL (@NWSLincolnIL) February 24, 2023
