Tornado Watch Issued for Central Illinois Amid Severe Weather Outbreak

The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for portions of Central and Northern Illinois, alongside far Northeast Missouri, effective that Wednesday morning and afternoon from 7:50 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. CDT. The severe weather outbreak was fueled by an unusually strong storm system, bringing potential for intense, long-lived tornadoes. Threats included widespread damaging winds and large hail, with isolated very large hail events up to 2.5 inches in diameter possible.

The storm system was capable of producing tornadoes up to EF3 strength or greater in the higher risk areas of Central and Northern Illinois. The severe weather threat impacts the central United States, including Illinois, with potential for wind damage and hail.