Special Weather Statement
Issued by NWS Central Illinois

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Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
441 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

ILZ044>046-051>057-061>063-066>068-071>073-170000-
Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Sangamon-Christian-Macon-Moultrie-Douglas-
Coles-Edgar-Shelby-Cumberland-Clark-Effingham-Jasper-Crawford-Clay-
Richland-Lawrence-
Including the cities of Monticello, Champaign, Urbana, Danville,
Springfield, Taylorville, Decatur, Sullivan, Tuscola, Charleston,
Mattoon, Paris, Shelbyville, Greenup, Marshall, Effingham, Newton,
Robinson, Flora, Olney, and Lawrenceville
441 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

...FUNNEL CLOUDS SIGHTED OVER CENTRAL ILLINOIS...

Emergency management reported a funnel cloud occurred over Decatur
around 430 PM, and funnel clouds occurred earlier in the afternoon
near Effingham and Toledo.

Atmospheric conditions exist that favor the possible formation
of weak circulations. Some of these circulations are occurring
underneath developing showers and thunderstorms, where a funnel cloud
may develop. Once the rain begins, the funnel cloud usually
dissipates.

Low hanging clouds can also appear to dip up and down at times,
but they will not show signs of any rapid rotation. An actual
funnel cloud will exhibit spinning in a counter-clockwise direction.

In rare instances these funnels may briefly touch down. Stay alert
and be prepared to move to a safe shelter if a funnel cloud
approaches the ground.

$$

Geelhart