Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
April 19, 1996 found Illinois at the center of a significant tornado outbreak sequence that produced 33 tornadoes across the state, part of a multi day series of tornado events from the Midwest into Ontario, Canada. This video chronicles much of the meteorology from that event, chase day (begins at 31:53) across Central Illinois by Roger Edwards and Rich Thompson, both whom were working as forecasters for the Storm Prediction Center at the time and post analysis by Roger Edwards. For anyone interested in this specific significant tornado event, this video is for you!
This tape was originally produced by Roger Edwards and Rich Thompson for friends, fellow storm chasers and meteorologists with portions showcased at various AMS conference presentations in the years after the event. While technical at times, it is perhaps one of the most comprehensive videos on the largest tornado outbreak the state of Illinois has witnessed to date. It also features the rather humorous colorful banter between two long time storm chase partners, friends and fellow forecasters which makes the chase day very entertaining!
All video is copyrighted by Roger Edwards and Rich Thompson. No portion of the original tape has been edited from it's original production version. It's made available for both posterity and educational purposes only.
Enjoy!
An additional video on the April 18-19, 1996 Central Illinois tornadoes can be viewed here: youtube.com/watch?v=AfOTBKfVvN4
April 19, 1996 found Illinois at the center of a significant tornado outbreak sequence that produced 33 tornadoes across the state, part of a multi day series of tornado events from the Midwest into Ontario, Canada. This video chronicles much of the meteorology from that event, chase day (begins at 31:53) across Central Illinois by Roger Edwards and Rich Thompson, both whom were working as forecasters for the Storm Prediction Center at the time and post analysis by Roger Edwards. For anyone interested in this specific significant tornado event, this video is for you!
This tape was originally produced by Roger Edwards and Rich Thompson for friends, fellow storm chasers and meteorologists with portions showcased at various AMS conference presentations in the years after the event. While technical at times, it is perhaps one of the most comprehensive videos on the largest tornado outbreak the state of Illinois has witnessed to date. It also features the rather humorous colorful banter between two long time storm chase partners, friends and fellow forecasters which makes the chase day very entertaining!
All video is copyrighted by Roger Edwards and Rich Thompson. No portion of the original tape has been edited from it's original production version. It's made available for both posterity and educational purposes only.
Enjoy!
An additional video on the April 18-19, 1996 Central Illinois tornadoes can be viewed here: youtube.com/watch?v=AfOTBKfVvN4
