Ice Storm — Peoria, Illinois

2015-12-28 · Peoria, Illinois

Event narrative

Weather observers across Peoria County reported ice accumulations of around 0.25. This amount of ice combined with winds gusting as high as 45 to 55 mph caused extensive damage to trees, power poles, and power lines. Several homes were damaged by falling trees and tree branches. About 75,000 people lost power for up to 3 days after the storm. Numerous businesses were closed in Peoria due to power outages.

Wider weather episode

A multi-faceted storm system impacted central Illinois from December 26th through 28th...bringing heavy rainfall, significant ice accumulations, and strong winds. As Canadian high pressure moved north of the Great Lakes during the early morning of December 28th, northeasterly winds brought colder air into the region. With temperatures falling into the upper 20s and lower 30s, rain changed to freezing rain along and north of a Canton to Bloomington line. Although warm ground temperatures prevented much freezing on paved surfaces, significant ice accumulations of one tenth to three tenths of an inch were reported on elevated surfaces, including trees. This amount of ice, combined with strong easterly winds gusting to between 40 and 50 mph, brought down many trees and power lines. Due to the very wet soil conditions, numerous large trees were uprooted, damaging homes and taking down power lines and power poles. Widespread power outages were reported in Galesburg, Peoria, Bloomington-Normal, and many smaller communities. Around 240,000 people lost power across Knox, Stark, Marshall, Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, and McLean counties.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 610011. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.