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Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain Across the Southern and Eastern US; Heat and Fire Weather Concerns in the West

Showers and thunderstorms are expected across the southern and eastern US this week, with heavy rain and localized flooding, particularly near the Gulf Coast. Monsoonal moisture will bring rain and potential flooding to parts of the Southwest. Heat and fire weather threats will continue to impact the West. Read More >

Overview

Severe thunderstorms developed over portions of central Illinois during the afternoon hours of Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Several funnel clouds and tornadoes were reported in a narrow zone in between the Interstates 55 and 57 corridors. A few sub-severe hail reports (<1" in size) were received, with one report of 1.5" or ping pong ball sized hail that came in from Farmer City, IL.

Fast Facts:

  • 9 tornadoes have been confirmed in the state of Illinois on January 3. This was the most number of January tornadoes to occur in an event in the state of Illinois since January 7, 1989 when 8 tornadoes occurred.
  • The last time a tornado occurred in January in Illinois was on January 11, 2020 (EF-1 in Union County).
  • 8 of these tornadoes occurred in NWS Lincoln's area. The last time this many tornadoes occurred in a January event in our service area was on January 24, 1967, when 5 tornadoes occurred (2 in Mason County, and one each in Tazewell, McLean, and Champaign Counties).

Summaries from other NWS office:

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