National Weather Service - Lincoln, Illinois
Serving the residents of central and southeast Illinois since 1995
About Us
The National Weather Service in Lincoln provides weather forecasts for central, east central, and southeast Illinois. Located on the south edge of the Logan County Airport east of Lincoln, we operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are one of 122 Weather Forecast Offices that operate nationwide.
The Lincoln NWS forecast office is responsible for 35 counties, covering a total of 19,343 square miles and a population of approximately 1.65 million. Our County Warning Area includes the cities of Bloomington/Normal, Champaign/Urbana, Decatur, Effingham, Galesburg, Jacksonville, Mattoon, Olney, Peoria, and Springfield.
Lincoln NWS County Warning Area
What We Do
The primary mission of the National Weather Service is to provide weather, water and climate data, forecasts, warnings, and impact-based decision support services for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy.
Interested in working at our office? Check out the video to see what the Lincoln NWS and the central Illinois community has to offer! Job opportunities are posted at the USAJobs web site , and the Area Digest at the bottom of this page features the demographics of the area. Or, check below to see what we do at the Lincoln NWS.
Forecast Operations
Meteorologists issue graphical and text forecasts extending out 7 days in advance. Main forecast updates are done twice a day. with updates in between as necessary. Aviation forecasts for area airports are done four times a day.
We will coordinate with our neighboring offices to ensure a seamless forecast across coverage areas.
Doppler Radar
The Lincoln Doppler radar is one of 159 radars that operate as part of the nationwide WSR-88D network. It is programmed with specific scan strategies, which allow quick updates during severe weather, and a slower scan during quiet weather.
Weather Balloons
We launch weather balloons twice a day, at 5 am and 5 pm CST (one hour later during CDT). Instruments attached to the balloons measure temperature and relative humidity in the atmosphere, and signals relaying the exact position of the balloon lead to calculations of barometric pressure and wind speed/direction. The data collected from these balloon flights is used as input to computer models.
Severe Weather Operations
During severe weather, operations can be quite hectic. Besides our normal forecast operations, several additional people are brought in to assist with specific functions:
- Issuing severe weather warnings and statements (may be divided among several people)
- Coordination with emergency managers and law enforcement
- Monitoring amateur radio communications
- Special balloon launches, issuing Local Storm Reports, and monitoring social media
For a long outbreak, staff members may be working 12 or more hours in a row. These shifts may extend well into the night.
Decision Support Services
Meteorologists will work with county and state emergency management agencies, for site-specific and event-specific forecasts. These are done to support public safety, search-and-rescue operations, post-storm cleanup, and more. As needed, we will deploy staff on-site to assist with briefing first responders. We also will work from the state Emergency Operations Center in Springfield on request, to support State of Illinois operations before, during, or after a major event.
Electronics Maintenance
The Lincoln NWS electronics staff is responsible for maintenance of several systems:
- Automated Surface Observing Systems in Champaign, Decatur, Lawrenceville, Mattoon, Peoria, and Springfield
- Lincoln Doppler radar
- Balloon tracking equipment in Lincoln
- NOAA Weather Radio transmitters
- Office computer networks
Two electronics technicians, as well as an Electronics Systems Analyst and an Information Technology Officer, are used for this purpose. The maintenance can involve long travel days, heavy equipment parts, and working outdoors in extreme heat or cold.
Cooperative Observer Network
We operate a network of approximately 60 volunteer weather observers. They may measure the following each day:
- High and low temperatures
- Precipitation
- Snowfall and snow depth
- Frost depth in season
- River stages
These observations are used to support forecast operations, climatological analysis, and research.
NOAA Weather Radio
Over 1,000 NOAA Weather Radio stations operate nationwide. Our office runs 9 of these stations.
Text messages are processed on the AWIPS computer system, and formatted with a synthesized voice for playback. In the event of computer failure, the staff can manually record messages as necessary.
The network operates 24 hours a day, with broadcast elements reduced during severe weather to air the most critical information more frequently.
Outreach Activities
Staff members conduct storm spotter training each year, visit schools and community gatherings, participate in media interviews, and conduct office tours.
Our Staff
Office staff in fall 2023 (not all staff are pictured)
Meteorologist in Charge: Ryan Knutsvig The MIC oversees the operations of the Weather Forecast Office. Besides administrative duties and personnel management, the MIC will fill forecast shifts as needed. Warning Coordination Meteorologist: Ed Shimon The WCM coordinates all warning functions within the office. This includes conducting spotter training, and working with local emergency managers and media personnel. The WCM will fill forecast shifts as needed. Science and Operations Officer: Andrew Taylor The SOO is the office's principal and senior science adviser, and is in charge of all training for the employees. The SOO makes sure that the staff is kept up to date on advances in meteorological forecasting and warning operations, and makes sure products meet local, regional, and national NWS standards. The SOO will fill forecast shifts as needed. Observation Program Leader: (vacant) The OPL oversees data collection, quality control, and dissemination of observational data from the office. This includes the operations of the cooperative observer program, climate data, river observations, and upper-air observations. The OPL will fill in on data acquisition shifts as needed. Service Hydrologist: Darrin Hansing The hydrologist is in charge of the office's hydrology program. This involves river, flood, and water-supply forecasts, and necessary research. The hydrologist is the primary contact with external agencies such as the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The hydrologist fills in on data acquisition shifts as needed. Electronics Systems Analyst: (vacant) The ESA is in charge of overseeing all equipment maintenance at the office. This includes the local computer network, the main AWIPS computer system for the office, heating and cooling systems, the Automated Surface Observation System at area airports, the Doppler radar, and upper-air observation equipment. Information Technology Officer: Tom Spriggs The ITO provides applications and program support for the office. This includes installing, configuring, and maintaining local applications, as well as programs and scripts in both the Windows and Linux operating systems. Administrative Support Assistant: (vacant) The ASA performs technical aspects of all administrative programs and activities for the office. This includes items related to budget, funds control, purchasing, procurement, contract monitoring, property, personnel actions, time and attendance, etc. The ASA also operates as a liaison with NWS Central Region Headquarters, and works with the personnel agency on administrative-type matters. Lead Meteorologists: Nicole Albano, James Auten, Ben Deubelbeiss, Chris Geelhart, Daryl Onton, Chuck Schaffer General Meteorologists: Mike Albano, Matt Barnes, John Bumgardner, Rebekka Copple, Alex Erwin, Kirk Huettl (1 vacancy) The meteorologists routinely work forecast operations. They are responsible for issuing public and aviation forecasts, severe weather warnings, river flood warnings, and work with external government partners to provide decision support services. They also conduct weather balloon launches, monitor NOAA Weather Radio, disseminate climate observation tables, and transmit Local Storm Reports during adverse weather conditions. The lead meteorologists serve as the shift supervisor as well. Electronics Technicians: (2 vacancies) The electronics technicians are responsible for maintaining the equipment needed for forecast operations. This includes the Doppler radar, automated observing systems, upper-air equipment, office computers, and NOAA Weather Radio systems. These technicians often have to work outdoors in all kinds of weather.
Office History
November 27, 1993
Groundbreaking is held at the Logan County Airport outside of Lincoln, Illinois, for a new National Weather Service office. The "Weather Forecast Office" is part of the NWS's modernization project, and will replace the nearby existing offices in Peoria and Springfield. Construction begins the following month.
November 1994
The new NWS Weather Forecast Office in Lincoln is accepted by the government. Initial staff is limited to only a few people, and thus the office does not yet have any operational responsibilities.
February 9, 1995
Upper-air equipment from the NWS office in Paducah, KY, is moved to the new NWS office. The first upper-air observation in Lincoln is taken on the 15th, and the existing equipment at the Peoria office is moved to the NWS office in Davenport, IA. Observations are taken twice a day. Because this was the only function of the office at the time, the office was not staffed 24 hours a day.
April 1995
Construction begins on the WSR-88D Doppler radar at the Logan County Airport.
May 9, 1995
A tornado passes approximately 2 miles southeast of the new Lincoln NWS office, visible to several staff members at the office. The early stages of this tornado are also visible from the Springfield NWS office, as the tornado began northwest of the city.
May 14, 1995
The first 5 meteorologists report to the Lincoln NWS office. Since warning and forecast responsibilities remain at the Peoria and Springfield offices, these 5 forecasters train on the new WSR-88D radar system and on future forecasting responsibilities.
September 27,1995
The NWS office in Lincoln begins full-time operations, with transfer of 10 counties covered by the Peoria NWS office, and 18 counties covered by the Springfield office. Additionally, 2 counties are transferred to Lincoln from the St. Louis NWS, and 5 counties are transferred from the Evansville, IN, NWS. Programming of the Peoria, Springfield and Champaign NOAA Weather Radio stations also is transferred to Lincoln, along with the AFOS computer network. The Lincoln NWS office is initially responsible for severe weather warnings and local short-term forecasts for 35 counties.
January 3, 1996
The WSR-88D Doppler radar is commissioned.
April 1, 1996
The Lincoln NWS office assumes responsibility for aviation forecasts for airports at Peoria, Springfield, Decatur, and Champaign. These were previously issued by the Chicago NWS office.
June 1998
Installation of the Console Replacement System (CRS) begins at the Lincoln NWS office. CRS, nicknamed "NOAA Weather Radio 2000," is designed to replace the labor-intensive, magnetic tape system used for the NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts, by utilizing a synthesized voice and a computer-based console. Phase-in of the automated broadcasts takes place the following winter.
November 16, 1998
The Advanced Weather Information Processing System (AWIPS) is installed. AWIPS allows for greatly increased monitoring capabilities of weather, satellite, and computer model data by forecasters.
July 6, 1999
The Lincoln NWS assumes public forecast responsibility for its 35 counties in central Illinois. These forecasts were previously issued by the Chicago NWS office.
July 23, 2007
Balloon tracking equipment is upgraded, to utilize Global Positioning Satellites instead of radio signals. Computers involved in the tracking are upgraded from vintage 1985 models to state-of-the-art PC's. This is part of the nationwide modernization of the upper-air observation network.
October 2012
The Lincoln WSR-88D radar is upgraded with dual polarization technology, the most significant upgrade to the radar since it was installed in 1995.
April 14, 2015
The second generation of the AWIPS software (AWIPS-2) is installed.
July 12, 2016
The next generation of the NOAA Weather Radio software, the Broadcast Message Handler (BMH), replaces the 1998-vintage Console Replacement System. BMH integrates the NWR into the AWIPS-2 system, rather than being a separate computer network.
October 30, 2023
The radar dome is removed for the first time since the initial construction in 1995, in order to replace the pedestal that controls the radar. This is the last step of the 4-step Service Life Extension Project, designed to extend the radar's lifetime into the 2030's.
Climatology
There are four distinct seasons in Lincoln. January temperatures average in the mid 30s for highs and upper teens for lows, but winter typically sees about 7 sub-zero days. Summer is often humid with dew points frequently reaching the mid 70s or higher; average high temperatures in July are in the mid 80s and average lows are in the mid 60s. High temperatures frequently reach the 90s during the summer, but the humid conditions typically keep temperatures below 100 degrees. The annual precipitation is 39.83 inches. Annual snowfall averages 19.3 inches, but snowfall of over 6" in a day is not unusual once or twice a year.
Climatological normals for the Lincoln area, for the period 1991-2020
Severe weather is not uncommon in our area. While the peak tornado season in Illinois is from April through June, tornadoes have occurred in all months of the year. There typically is a "mini-season" of severe weather in mid to late fall as well.
Area Digest
OFFICE LOCATION: This office is on a 10-acre parcel of land on the southeast corner of the Logan County Airport, approximately 1.3 miles east of downtown Lincoln, Illinois. COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION: Lincoln is a small city which is the county seat of Logan County. It is the only town in the United States named for Abraham Lincoln before he became president; he practiced law here from 1847 to 1859. It was first settled in the 1830s. The population is 13,288 as of the 2020 census. Lincoln is located at the intersection of Interstates 55 and 155 and Illinois state routes 10 and 121. Lincoln is approximately 160 miles southwest of Chicago and 130 miles northeast of St. Louis. Lincoln is surrounded by larger nearby communities including Bloomington-Normal (131,800), Champaign-Urbana (127,800), Decatur (102,000), Springfield (113,000), and Peoria (111,700). Each of these cities contain numerous shopping, recreational, and cultural facilities, and are within 45 minutes of the office. The largest employers include Eaton Electrical Group, Logan Correctional Center, Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Cresco Labs, International Paper, and Sysco Food Services. HEALTH CARE: Lincoln Memorial Hospital, part of the Memorial Health System, is a 25-bed facility which includes an intensive care unit, laboratory, emergency department, and radiology. Springfield Clinic also operates a facility adjacent to the hospital. Large regional medical centers are available in the nearby cities. EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES: There are 12 schools in operation in Lincoln (K-12), four of which are private schools. There are 14 colleges and universities within an hour's drive, including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Springfield, Illinois State University in Normal, Bradley University in Peoria, and Millikin University in Decatur. RECREATION: The Lincoln Recreation Center has a health center, several indoor tennis courts, a running track, pickleball court, pool, golf driving range, and other facilities. There are several city parks offering picnic and play areas and nature and cross-country ski trails. Edward R. Madigan State Park is 3 miles south of town. The Lincoln Community Theater presents a series of productions. There is one private golf course, a 9-hole public course a few miles northeast of Lincoln in Atlanta, and a 10-diamond softball complex where the park district sponsors league play. A number of historic sites associated with Abraham Lincoln are also within an hour's drive, including the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield. Historic Route 66 runs the length of the county. There are numerous fairs and festivals in the region. HOUSING: Apartments and rental houses have rents of $500-900; however, the availability of rental property is limited. A small to medium sized home can be purchased for $50,000-$100,000. New, larger homes cost $150,000-$200,000. The median home value in Lincoln in 2021 was $111,500. The average commuting time to the office will be 5-20 minutes. Commutes from the surrounding larger communities will be 30-50 minutes. TRANSPORTATION: There are local taxi companies, but there is no local bus service. A car will be necessary to get to the office. Lincoln is on an Amtrak rail line with service to Chicago and St. Louis several times daily. Logan County Airport does not offer commercial airline service, but commercial airports in Springfield (SPI), Peoria (PIA) and Bloomington (BMI) offer flights to regional hubs and locations as diverse as Orlando, Dallas, Atlanta, and Charlotte. TAXES: Local sales tax is 8.75% (local tax 2.5%, state 6.25%), and surrounding larger communities is 7.75 to 8.00%. The State of Illinois has a state income tax of 4.95%; there are no city or county income taxes. The median property tax for Logan County is $2,500 per year for a home worth approximately $100,000.
