Champaign, Illinois – Residents across east-central Illinois should remain on alert through 8 p.m. Tuesday as a tornado watch remains active for seven counties, including Champaign, Vermilion, and Coles.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, Tornado Watch 304 covers Champaign, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, and Vermilion counties, with cities like Urbana, Mattoon, and Danville at risk for rapidly developing severe thunderstorms capable of spawning tornadoes.
The watch, issued amid rising instability and wind shear across the region, includes potential for hail, damaging winds over 60 mph, and short-notice tornado formation. Residents are urged to monitor local alerts and have shelter plans ready. Outdoor activities should be postponed, and mobile home dwellers should consider relocating to sturdier structures temporarily.
Schools and businesses in affected counties should review emergency protocols, especially as evening travel ramps up. Interstate corridors such as I-57 and I-74 could be impacted if storms intensify rapidly during the commute hours.
This is the first tornado watch of the month for several of the included counties. If warnings are issued, take cover immediately.
Tornado Watch 304 remains in effect until 8 p.m., with further updates possible if conditions worsen.
