Decatur, IL – Residents across central and eastern Illinois and western and central Indiana are under a Tornado Watch until 10 p.m. CDT today, with severe weather expected to intensify into the evening hours.
According to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, the watch was issued at 3:15 p.m. Wednesday and warns of several likely tornadoes, including the possibility of a few intense ones. Widespread damaging winds up to 80 mph and large hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter are also potential threats.
Forecasters expect severe storms to develop initially across central and northeast Illinois late this afternoon, pushing east-northeastward through the evening into Indiana. Cities within the watch area include Decatur, Champaign, Bloomington, Terre Haute, and Indianapolis.
The tornado watch zone extends about 90 miles north and south of a line from near Decatur, Illinois, to just northeast of Indianapolis, Indiana. The National Weather Service advises that residents in these areas be ready to act if warnings are issued, as conditions are favorable for tornado development and severe thunderstorms.
Aviation impacts include possible tornadoes, severe turbulence, wind gusts near 70 knots, and hail aloft, with storm tops projected to reach 50,000 feet.
Local officials are encouraging the public to stay weather-aware throughout the evening, have multiple ways to receive alerts, and take shelter immediately if a tornado warning is issued.
More updates are expected throughout the evening from weather authorities.
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