Champaign, Ill. – Residents across southeast and east-central Illinois should prepare for another round of potentially severe thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon and evening, with damaging winds, isolated tornadoes and locally heavy rainfall posing the greatest threats.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, thunderstorms developing Tuesday afternoon could produce wind gusts over 60 mph, hail up to 1 inch in diameter, a few tornadoes and pockets of locally heavy rainfall. The highest severe weather risk is focused across southeast Illinois, while much of east-central Illinois remains under a lower but still notable threat for severe storms.
Communities including Champaign, Charleston, Danville, Effingham, Taylorville, Olney, Mount Vernon and surrounding areas should monitor conditions closely as storms develop during the afternoon and continue into the evening. Travelers along Interstates 57, 70 and 74 could encounter rapidly changing weather, reduced visibility in heavy rain and hazardous driving conditions if severe storms move across the region.
Strong wind gusts may bring down tree limbs and cause isolated power outages, while the heaviest storms could produce localized flooding in poor drainage and low-lying areas. Residents are encouraged to secure loose outdoor items before storms arrive and ensure they have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, especially if they plan to be outdoors.
Forecast details may continue to evolve over the next 24 hours, but confidence is increasing that portions of southeast and east-central Illinois will face impactful weather Tuesday afternoon and evening. Additional severe thunderstorm or tornado watches and warnings may be issued as storms begin to organize.
