A strong cold front moved through the region, preceded by numerous thunderstorms during the evening hours on December 5th and into the early morning on the 6th. Pockets of damaging winds accompanied the strongest storms. There was a tornado that touched down in southern Illinois. During the evening, a loose clustering of storms and embedded supercells caused most of the severe weather. Although instability was quite weak, the severe storms were supported by very strong wind shear.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, ILLINOIS
From 05-DEC-21 21:59:00 to 05-DEC-21 21:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: VERGENNES
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An open barn was destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, ILLINOIS
From 05-DEC-21 22:10:00 to 05-DEC-21 22:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: MURPHYSBORO
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Large tree limbs were down in northern and central Jackson County.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, ILLINOIS
From 05-DEC-21 22:12:00 to 05-DEC-21 22:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROYALTON
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 7.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Trees were snapped. The tin roof on top of a conventional roof of a house was blown off.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, ILLINOIS
From 05-DEC-21 22:25:00 to 05-DEC-21 22:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: VERGENNES
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The roof of an outhouse bathroom at an athletic field was blown off.

Tornado in FRANKLIN, ILLINOIS
From 05-DEC-21 22:21:00 to 05-DEC-21 22:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: EZRA
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 80.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado tracked from west to east across the far northern part of the city of West Frankfort. The most significant damage was on the west side of Interstate 57, where a few metal structures sustained major damage. These structures were businesses which lost all or part of their roofs. In the residential neighborhoods to the east of the interstate, light roof damage occurred to a few houses, which lost some shingles. Tree limbs and a few trees were blown down. At one point just over 2,000 people were without power. Peak winds were estimated near 95 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, ILLINOIS
From 05-DEC-21 22:27:00 to 05-DEC-21 22:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: THOMPSONVILLE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Large limbs were down in eastern parts of the county.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, ILLINOIS
From 05-DEC-21 22:30:00 to 05-DEC-21 22:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MURPHYSBORO
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Trees and power lines were blown down.

Funnel Cloud in JACKSON, ILLINOIS
From 05-DEC-21 22:01:00 to 05-DEC-21 22:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: MURPHYSBORO
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Emergency management officials reported a funnel cloud seen on their video camera.

Thunderstorm Wind in UNION, ILLINOIS
From 05-DEC-21 22:43:00 to 05-DEC-21 22:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: JONESBORO
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported a measured wind gust of 65 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, ILLINOIS
From 05-DEC-21 22:25:00 to 05-DEC-21 22:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAND TOWER
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A mesonet station measured a gust to 62 mph.