Putnam County Illinois Emergency Management

05/06/2026

Decreasing clouds tonight will allow for us to cool off a bit, resulting in frost potential for some. Going towards the end of the week, we will see temperatures start to increase each day. Light rain showers and isolated thunder will be possible Thur/Fri.

05/06/2026

Frost is possible tonight, mainly near to north of I-80. There is some uncertainty due to the potential for cloud cover, but if you have any sensitive outdoor vegetation you may want to take steps to protect it from possible damage.

05/06/2026

Patchy to areas of frost may occur in some spots tonight, primarily near to north of I-80. Cool mid-week temperatures will give way to a warm up heading into this weekend. The warm up will also bring periodic chances for showers Thursday through Saturday.

05/05/2026

A couple of chilly nights are ahead of us, with the potential for some frost in areas north of I-80, especially Wed Night. Otherwise, cooler temps will be in place through midweek, with a gradual warming towards the end of the week. Light rain chances return Friday.

05/05/2026

Temperatures look to remain below average over the next few days before gradually warming up heading into the weekend. There will also be chances for a few rain showers at times, but don't let this cancel any outdoor activities as any rainfall looks to be light and spotty with many areas seeing plenty of dry time.

05/05/2026

Scattered thunderstorms will continue out of southeast Iowa and far northeast Missouri into western Illinois through 10 PM before exiting out of the area. These storms are still capable of being strong to severe, with primary threats of gusty winds and hail.

05/05/2026

[7:40 P.M. Monday, May 4, 2026]

From late afternoon into early this evening, numerous thunderstorms occurred south of U.S. Highway 30. As rain evaporated when falling (or small hail sublimated) from these high cloud bases, the air cooled becoming dense, rushing to the ground causing strong winds. There was even some wind damage reported.

Let us know if you had any wind damage or hail of note in the comments. Thank you!

05/04/2026

The NWS HAS ISSUED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR PUTNAM COUNTY UNTIL 7:15PM MONDAY.

The National Weather Service in the Quad Cities has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Putnam County in north central Illinois...
Eastern Bureau County in north central Illinois...

* Until 715 PM CDT.

* At 631 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Van Orin to Lone Tree Corners, moving east at
40 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
Princeton, Hennepin, Spring Valley, DePue, Granville, Ladd,
Dalzell, Bureau Junction, McNabb, Putnam, Mark, Cherry, Malden,
Seatonville, Magnolia, Standard, Arlington, Dover, Hollowayville,
and Coal Hollow.

This includes the following highways...
Interstate 80 in Illinois between mile markers 57 and 72.
Interstate 180 between mile markers 1 and 13.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
sturdy building.

05/04/2026

Stay Weather Aware as these storms look to come into Putnam County in about 20-30 minutes.

Scattered thunderstorms continue across western Illinois. These storms may become strong to severe, with primary threats of gusty winds and small hail. Winds may lead to patchy blowing dust in recently plowed fields.

05/04/2026

In addition to gusty winds near storms and even near light showers, we will also see patchy blowing dust in rural areas with freshly plowed fields. Be ready for low visibility!

Scattered thunderstorms are developing across much of eastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois. These storms may become strong to severe, with primary threats of gusty winds and small hail.

05/04/2026

Thunderstorms are possible tonight, especially along and south of Interstate 80. Gusty winds are the main threat with these possible storms. Otherwise, we’ll see cool weather for the rest of the work week, with highs mainly in the 50s both Tuesday and Wednesday.

05/04/2026

Stay Weather Aware

There is a marginal to slight (level 1/2 out of 5) risk for severe storms late this afternoon/evening. Low level moisture is limited, so storm initiation may not occur until 4-6 PM. The primary risks are damaging winds and hail late this afternoon and evening.