--- title: Rare and dangerous tornado sweeps through Illinois, AccuWeather gives first warning description: When a powerful nighttime tornado touched down in southern Illinois, AccuWeather clients were the first to be alerted about the impending danger. image: https://afb.accuweather.com/hubfs/GettyImages-174908148-sm.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/rare-and-dangerous-tornado-sweeps-through-illinois-accuweather-gives-first-warning#main-content) [![accuweather-business-white-01](https://afb.accuweather.com/hubfs/Website/accuweather-business-white-01.svg "accuweather-business-white-01")](https://afb.accuweather.com/) - [Learn & Support](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) Learn & Support [Overview](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) - [Case Studies](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/case-studies) - [Webinars](https://www.accuweather.com/en/blogs-webinars/welcome-to-accuweathers-webinar-hub/1692349) - [Press Releases](https://corporate.accuweather.com/newsroom/press-releases/) - [Blog](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/blogs-webinars) [![accu-winter-events](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/accu-winter-events.jpg?width=90&height=90&name=accu-winter-events.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/webinar-winter-risk-mitigation-services) Webinar [Take the Worry out of Winter: Risk Mitigation](https://afb.accuweather.com/webinar-winter-risk-mitigation-services) [![accu-hurricane-events](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/accu-hurricane-events.jpg?width=90&height=90&name=accu-hurricane-events.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/hurricane-relief-tips-how-your-business-can-help-without-becoming-a-victim) Blog [How your business can help without becoming a victim](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/hurricane-relief-tips-how-your-business-can-help-without-becoming-a-victim) - [Let's Get Started](https://afb.accuweather.com/lets-get-started) - [Learn & Support](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) - [Case Studies](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/case-studies) - [Webinars](https://www.accuweather.com/en/blogs-webinars/welcome-to-accuweathers-webinar-hub/1692349) - [Press Releases](https://corporate.accuweather.com/newsroom/press-releases/) - [Blog](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/blogs-webinars) [Home](https://afb.accuweather.com/)  /  [Featured](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tag/featured)  /  [Success Stories](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tag/success-stories)  /  [SkyGuard](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tag/skyguard) # Rare and dangerous tornado sweeps through Illinois, AccuWeather gives first warning Posted by [Elizabeth Potts](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/author/elizabeth-potts) on Dec 17, 2021 ![tree falls on house](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GettyImages-174908148-sm.jpg?width=1200&height=628&name=GettyImages-174908148-sm.jpg) Summary ## When a powerful nighttime tornado touched down in southern Illinois, AccuWeather clients were the first to be alerted about the impending danger. Key Highlights #### When severe weather strikes, early warnings help save lives and property #### On average, AccuWeather clients receive advance warning notice 2x faster than public alerts #### When tornadoes hit rural Illinois, SkyGuard® provided clients with critical warnings well in advance # First to Alert On Sunday, December 5 in Illinois, a late-season EF-1 tornado hit the rural community of West Frankfort, with dangerous winds of 95 mph. Ahead of the touchdown, AccuWeather storm warning meteorologists had been closely monitoring a dangerous line of thunderstorms accompanying a strong cold front as it crossed the Midwest. As the front approached West Frankfort, they detected strong rotation and knew a tornado was imminent. A tornado warning was issued for clients in the storm’s path. This was the first advance warning issued in the area and provided 27 minutes of advance notice before the tornado struck. The National Weather Service issued their tornado warning 6 minutes after the tornado touched down. The tornado was on the ground for almost 5 miles, damaging homes and businesses and downing trees and power lines.  AccuWeather For Business forecasts help you to protect your people and property. Whether it's rain, snow, or severe weather, AccuWeather helps you battle any elements that Mother Nature throws your way. Our groundbreaking forecast tools ensure you stay ahead of any severe threats, all backed by our expert meteorologists and Superior Accuracy™. Stay safe with SkyGuard Warnings: - Proactive, site-specific alerts offer advance warnings well before severe weather impacts occur - Live one-on-one or group consultation is provided by our weather experts anytime, day or night - Reviewed tornado notifications advise when a government-issued tornado warning is in effect, but there is no threat to your asset location - Alerts are delivered in a format that aligns with your organizational emergency management plan - All-clear notifications are delivered when a threat is over, minimizing weather-related downtime - All alerts are delivered via push notification from the SkyGuard mobile app, available on Android and iOS ## When severe weather strikes, partner with us to protect your business. ### Demo SkyGuard today. ## The latest from AccuWeather For Business [![tornado damage in home](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GettyImages-157331107.jpg?width=506&height=265&name=GettyImages-157331107.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tornadoes-strike-the-south-accuweather-provides-its-clients-the-best-advance-warning) ### [More than a dozen tornadoes strike the South, AccuWeather provides its clients the best advance warning](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tornadoes-strike-the-south-accuweather-provides-its-clients-the-best-advance-warning) Advance notice matters As 2021 drew to a close, a strong line of severe weather blew across... [Read More](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tornadoes-strike-the-south-accuweather-provides-its-clients-the-best-advance-warning) --- 2 minute read • Jan 11, 2022 [![](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/tornadoes%20hero.jpg?width=506&height=265&name=tornadoes%20hero.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/powerful-tornadoes-strike-skyguard-makes-life-saving-difference) ### [Powerful tornadoes strike Northeast and Plains, Skyguard makes a life-saving difference](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/powerful-tornadoes-strike-skyguard-makes-life-saving-difference) Advance notice matters This November, a rare outbreak of severe weather across Connecticut, New... [Read More](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/powerful-tornadoes-strike-skyguard-makes-life-saving-difference) --- 2 minute read • Nov 22, 2021 [![snowstorm](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GettyImages-535513443.jpg?width=506&height=265&name=GettyImages-535513443.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/major-snowstorm-slams-the-east-accuweather-forecasts-are-first-and-spot-on) ### [Major snowstorm slams the East, AccuWeather forecasts are first and spot-on](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/major-snowstorm-slams-the-east-accuweather-forecasts-are-first-and-spot-on) Dangerous Winter Blast A major winter storm hurled everything from an EF2 tornado to nearly 2 feet... [Read More](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/major-snowstorm-slams-the-east-accuweather-forecasts-are-first-and-spot-on) --- 2 minute read • Jan 19, 2022 ## Want our stories delivered straight to you? Subscribe to our blog today! 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