A fast-moving line of severe storms moved east across southern Illinois, accompanied by locally damaging winds and isolated tornadoes. A few bowing segments along the line produced damaging winds. A negatively-tilted mid-level trough from the central high Plains to the Arklatex ejected northeast through the Middle Mississippi Valley. At the surface, an area of low pressure over northeast Kansas moved to central Wisconsin. A trailing cold front surged eastward through the Mid-Mississippi and Lower Ohio Valleys. The storms were fed by a broadening and strengthening southwesterly low-level jet, which destabilized the atmosphere ahead of the storms. The presence of strong low-level and deep-layer wind shear enhanced the risk of wind damage and tornadoes.

Tornado in WHITE, ILLINOIS
From 23-DEC-15 12:32:00 to 23-DEC-15 12:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: CARMI
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Nearly two dozen large trees were uprooted or snapped. Numerous large limbs were snapped. The tornado began near the intersection of County Roads 1500N and 850E and ended on County Road 1575. One large tree landed on a dog pound. Many of the downed trees were in a campground area on the northwest side of Carmi. A campground bath house was struck by a falling tree. Peak winds were estimated near 105 mph.

Tornado in EDWARDS, ILLINOIS
From 23-DEC-15 12:34:00 to 23-DEC-15 12:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELLERY
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado continued from Wayne County into Edwards County. Along the Edwards County portion of the path, there were several snapped trees. No structural damage was observed. The path was through sparsely populated farm country. Peak winds were estimated near 95 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in WHITE, ILLINOIS
From 23-DEC-15 12:36:00 to 23-DEC-15 12:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAUNIE
Magnitude: 87.00 EG
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service damage survey revealed a strong downburst struck the community of Maunie. In Maunie, the cement and brick facade of a building partially collapsed. A tree was uprooted in front of the post office. About a half mile north of Maunie, one large irrigation unit was turned over and bent. Several large trees were uprooted, and large limbs were snapped. On County Road 1225, a machine shed roof was blown off. Peak winds were estimated near 100 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in SALINE, ILLINOIS
From 23-DEC-15 12:00:00 to 23-DEC-15 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARRISBURG
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Large tree branches were blown down. Tree debris was on some roadways.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, ILLINOIS
From 23-DEC-15 11:30:00 to 23-DEC-15 11:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: SESSER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A single-wide mobile home was blown over and destroyed west of Valier. A metal-framed barn collapsed in the Sesser area.

Funnel Cloud in POPE, ILLINOIS
From 23-DEC-15 12:10:00 to 23-DEC-15 12:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROCK
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter observed a funnel cloud between the communities of Simpson and Glendale.

Hail in PULASKI, ILLINOIS
From 23-DEC-15 14:33:00 to 23-DEC-15 14:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: VILLA RIDGE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm Wind in JEFFERSON, ILLINOIS
From 23-DEC-15 11:49:00 to 23-DEC-15 11:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: BONNIE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A tree was uprooted. The tree landed on a small outbuilding, causing structural damage.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILLIAMSON, ILLINOIS
From 23-DEC-15 11:42:00 to 23-DEC-15 11:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: HERRIN
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A power line was blown down near Herrin.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILLIAMSON, ILLINOIS
From 23-DEC-15 11:40:00 to 23-DEC-15 11:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARION
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 7.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several trees were blown down in the Marion area. One tree was blocking a portion of southbound Interstate 57. A couple of others were southeast of Marion in the New Denison area.

Thunderstorm Wind in WABASH, ILLINOIS
From 23-DEC-15 12:57:00 to 23-DEC-15 12:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: MT CARMEL
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter estimated winds gusted around 60 mph.

Tornado in JACKSON, ILLINOIS
From 23-DEC-15 11:15:00 to 23-DEC-15 11:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: AVA
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Peak winds were estimated near 75 mph. Numerous large branches were snapped off trees. The tornado occurred over rural farm country with patches of dense woodlands.

Tornado in PERRY, ILLINOIS
From 23-DEC-15 11:23:00 to 23-DEC-15 11:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: PINCKNEYVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 175.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Peak winds were estimated near 95 mph. Numerous trees were snapped off near the base or uprooted. A portion of Route 154 was closed due to downed trees. Several homes sustained minor to major roof damage. Most of the damaged homes were located near the start of the damage track near Route 154. Several barns received significant damage. The tornado track ended on the south end of Tamaroa, where some tree limbs were broken.

Thunderstorm Wind in PERRY, ILLINOIS
From 23-DEC-15 11:20:00 to 23-DEC-15 11:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: PINCKNEYVILLE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A power pole was snapped at ground level on a city side street.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, ILLINOIS
From 23-DEC-15 11:29:00 to 23-DEC-15 11:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOSKYDELL
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter measured a wind gust to 60 mph at a school just south of Carbondale off U.S. Highway 51.

Thunderstorm Wind in WAYNE, ILLINOIS
From 23-DEC-15 12:06:00 to 23-DEC-15 12:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAYNE CITY
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter measured a wind gust to 62 mph just northwest of Wayne City. Shingles were blown off a roof near Cisne.

Tornado in WAYNE, ILLINOIS
From 23-DEC-15 12:30:00 to 23-DEC-15 12:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOLDEN GATE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Maximum winds were estimated near 95 mph. A few trees were uprooted, and several trees or tree branches were snapped. Roofs were damaged on a home and a barn. The roof damage on the house was minor to moderate, consisting of partial loss of shingles. The track was through open farmland. The tornado path continued into Edwards County.