A few tornadoes are likely with a couple intense tornadoes being possible this afternoon across Northern and Central Illinois, Northeast Missouri and Southeast Iowa. The watch is effective this afternoon and evening from 1:45 PM until 8:00 PM CDT.
Widely scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon and evening across the watch area and track rapidly northeastward. A few supercells capable of damaging winds and tornadoes are possible.
Scattered damaging winds and isolated significant gusts to 75 mph are also likely. Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2 inches in diameter possible.
The tornado watch area is approximately along and 95 statute miles east and west of a line from 45 miles west northwest of Janesville, WI to 55 miles south southeast of Kirksville, MO. Illinois counties within the watch area includes Cass, Fulton, Knox, Marshall, Mason, Menard, Morgan, Peoria, Schuyler, Scott, Stark, Tazewell, and Woodford.
“A Tornado Watch has been issued for areas near and west of the Illinois River, until 8 p.m.” the Lincoln, Illinois NWS said. “Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon, with another round also possible early evening as a front goes through. Remain alert for severe weather over the next several hours.”
As mentioned earlier, an enhanced risk of severe weather is in place for the northern portion of Illinois with a slight risk of severe storms in place across Central Illinois. Storms are most likely expected for the Central Illinois region by 4-6 p.m.
