A Mesoscale Convective Vortex (MCV) generated by a large cluster of convection across Kansas during the pre-dawn hours tracked eastward into central Illinois by the late afternoon and evening of May 3rd.  Despite weak instability and deep-layer synoptic shear, the MCV was able to enhance the low-level shear and trigger a broken line of convection.  One of the cells on the east-southeast flank of the MCV became a supercell and tracked across central Illinois from Cass County southeastward to Coles County before dissipating after dark.  That particular storm produced five brief tornado touchdowns and hail as large as half dollars along its path.  Another thunderstorm cell further south dropped 2-inch diameter hail in southern Christian County.

Hail in CASS, ILLINOIS
From 03-MAY-21 15:55:00 to 03-MAY-21 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLUFF SPGS
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Hail in CASS, ILLINOIS
From 03-MAY-21 16:04:00 to 03-MAY-21 16:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: VIRGINIA
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Several cars were damaged by the hail.

Hail in CASS, ILLINOIS
From 03-MAY-21 16:15:00 to 03-MAY-21 16:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEWMANSVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Thunderstorm Wind in COLES, ILLINOIS
From 03-MAY-21 19:24:00 to 03-MAY-21 19:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHARLESTON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was blown down.

Tornado in SANGAMON, ILLINOIS
From 03-MAY-21 16:27:00 to 03-MAY-21 16:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: PLEASANT PLAINS
Tornado F-scale: EFU
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A weak tornado touched down in a field about 1.4 miles west-northwest of Pleasant Plains just south of IL-125 at 5:27 PM CDT.  The tornado tracked southeastward across Yankee Town Road and quickly dissipated by 5:28 PM CDT.  No damage occurred.

Tornado in SANGAMON, ILLINOIS
From 03-MAY-21 17:10:00 to 03-MAY-21 17:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: DAWSON
Tornado F-scale: EFU
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A weak tornado touched down in a field about 0.8 miles southeast of Dawson just north of I-72 at 6:10 PM CDT.  The tornado tracked southeastward and quickly dissipated by 6:11 PM CDT.  No damage occurred.

Tornado in SANGAMON, ILLINOIS
From 03-MAY-21 17:14:00 to 03-MAY-21 17:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: MECHANICSBURG
Tornado F-scale: EFU
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A weak tornado touched down in a field about 2 miles northwest of Mechanicsburg at 6:14 PM CDT.  The tornado tracked southeastward and quickly dissipated by 6:15 PM CDT.  No damage occurred.

Hail in MENARD, ILLINOIS
From 03-MAY-21 16:32:00 to 03-MAY-21 16:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: PETERSBURG
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail in MACON, ILLINOIS
From 03-MAY-21 18:18:00 to 03-MAY-21 18:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: MACON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in CHRISTIAN, ILLINOIS
From 03-MAY-21 18:28:00 to 03-MAY-21 18:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROSAMOND
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in MENARD, ILLINOIS
From 03-MAY-21 16:32:00 to 03-MAY-21 16:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: PETERSBURG
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Several power poles were blown into a field.

Tornado in CASS, ILLINOIS
From 03-MAY-21 15:57:00 to 03-MAY-21 15:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARENZVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EFU
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A weak tornado touched down in a field about 2.5 miles east-northeast of Arenzville just north of Crum Road at 4:57 PM CDT.  The tornado tracked southeastward near the intersection of Crum Road and Thornley Lane and quickly dissipated by 4:59 PM CDT.  No damage occurred.

Tornado in CASS, ILLINOIS
From 03-MAY-21 16:05:00 to 03-MAY-21 16:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: VIRGINIA
Tornado F-scale: EFU
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A weak tornado touched down in a field 3 miles south of Virginia just east of IL-78 at 5:05 PM CDT.  The tornado tracked southeastward and crossed near the intersection of Hall Road and Conover Road before quickly dissipating by 5:08 PM CDT.  No damage occurred.

Thunderstorm Wind in SANGAMON, ILLINOIS
From 03-MAY-21 17:12:00 to 03-MAY-21 17:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: DAWSON
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Power poles were blown down.