News Local/State

UPDATE: More Severe Storms Expected Across Illinois

By Scott Cameron
 
The National Weather Service has warned of the potential for severe weather across Illinois over the next few days. That includes a chance of severe storms, damaging winds, even tornadoes this afternoon.

The National Weather Service has warned of the potential for severe weather across Illinois over the next few days. That includes a chance of severe storms, damaging winds, even tornadoes this afternoon. (Photo: NOAA)

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The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch until 11pm Thursday for most of Central Illinois.

FORECAST

This Afternoon
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Breezy, with  gusts as high as 37 mph.

Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 10pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Breezy, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 62. Wind gusts as high as 24 mph.

Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 38.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 62.

Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.

Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.

Sunday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.

Jeff Frame is with the University of Illinois' atmospheric sciences department. He says clear skies and warmer temperatures to the west drove the formation of storms earlier today that will start to move into the listening area Thursday evening.  

"The worst of the weather probably coming in here 7, 8, 9 maybe lingering to 10 o'clock. Near and just after dark really be paying attention." He says. 

"There's a chance of something rogue going out ahead of this a little earlier. But focusing in on that evening time frame is when we have the best chance of seeing severe weather."

Once this system passes, Frame says the weather will settle down through the weekend.

The outlook from the National Weather Service shows the next chance of severe storms comes early next week.

"The state of the science is not that we can say a tornado will hit this county or this town at this time," said Frame,

"What we can say is there is an enhanced risk of tornadoes from mid to late afternoon and into this evening."

WILL will broadcast weather updates throughout the day.