Join NWS Central Illinois For An Open House Saturday, August 29, 2026 (9am-3pm)

Event Info

Things To Do

Participants

Directions

Event Flyers

National Weather Service Invites Public to Summer Open House

Families, weather enthusiasts, and students are invited to tour the operations floor, meet local meteorologists, and witness a live weather balloon launch.

Ever wonder what goes on behind the radar screens when severe weather strikes? Now is your chance to find out.

The National Weather Service (NWS) Central Illinois Forecast Office is officially opening its doors to the public for a special, free Community Open House on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

This family-friendly event offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the federal facility responsible for issuing local daily forecasts, watches, advisories, and life-saving severe weather warnings.

Event At-A-Glance

When: Saturday, August 29, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Rain or Shine*)
Where: NWS Central Illinois Office, 1362 State Route 10, Lincoln, IL 62656
Admission: FREE for all ages, but advance ticket registration is required.
Tickets: Reserve your free tickets online at NWS Lincoln Ticketleap.

*Note: In the extreme event of local severe weather, the open house may be postponed or canceled so meteorologists can focus on operations.

About the National Weather Service

The National Weather Service (NWS) is a component of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The NWS provides weather, hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters, and ocean areas, for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy.

For more information, safety tips, and event updates, visit our website at weather.gov/ilx or follow us on Facebook @NWSLincoln and X (formerly Twitter) at @NWSLincolnIL.

The open house will feature a wide range of interactive exhibits, tours, and live demonstrations designed for weather geeks and families alike:

Interactive Operations Tours: Walk the operations floor where meteorologists monitor live satellite data, track storms on radar, and issue warnings. Tours will depart every 10 minutes.
The Weather Balloon Launch (12:00 PM): Witness the inflation and live release of a weather balloon carrying a radiosonde transmitter high into the stratosphere.
Meet the Team: Chat with the meteorologists, hydrologists, and electronic technicians who work 24/7/365 to keep the community safe.
Kids' Science Zone: Hands-on activities for children, including tornado demonstrations, a Van de Graaff generator, and coloring contest.

Stronger Together: Community Partners

Weather safety is a team effort. NWS Central Illinois is hopeful to host several local emergency, community, and educational partners at this year’s event. Be sure to check back to this page as we compile the list of partners.

Arrival & Parking Guide

Please use the interactive satellite map below to locate our arrival point and parking area.

If using a GPS device for direction to our office, please use 1362 East Highway 10, Lincoln, IL, 62656 as the destination.

Directions via I-55 South:

Take exit 133 toward I-55 BUS/Lincoln
Turn left onto I-55BL
Turn left onto 1400 Ave/County Rd 1400 E
Turn right onto IL-10 W
Turn right onto Thompson Dr

Directions via I-55 North:

Take exit 123 toward Lincoln
Merge onto I-55BL/Lincoln Pkwy
Turn right onto 5th St
Turn left onto S Logan St
Turn right onto Keokuk St
Turn left onto IL-10E/Keokuk St
Turn left onto Thompson Dr

Directions via I-155 South:

Take exit 126 for IL-10 E / IL-121 E toward Lincoln
Turn left onto IL-10 E / IL-121 S
Turn left onto IL-10 E / Keokuk St
Turn left onto Thompson Dr

Directions via Hwy 121 North:

Turn right onto IL-10 E / Keokuk St
Turn left onto Thompson Dr