Indianapolis, Indiana – A massive severe weather zone is expanding across the Midwest tonight, with 125 counties across Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio under Severe Thunderstorm Watches through 1 a.m. Monday.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, Watch 74 covers 50 counties in Indiana and 22 counties in Illinois until 1 a.m., while Watch 73 includes 53 counties across Ohio until midnight, with storms continuing east into the overnight hours.
In Indiana, the watch includes major population centers such as Marion (Indianapolis), Hamilton, Hendricks, Vanderburgh (Evansville), and Monroe (Bloomington), along with dozens of surrounding counties. Illinois counties under the watch include Jackson, Williamson, Franklin, Jefferson, Effingham, and Coles. In Ohio, the watch spans a large portion of the state, including Franklin (Columbus), Hamilton (Cincinnati), Montgomery (Dayton), and Stark (Canton).
Storms are expected to organize into a fast-moving line, producing wind gusts exceeding 60 mph and pockets of hail. Major corridors including I-70, I-65, I-71, and I-75 could see sudden slowdowns due to heavy rain, debris, and reduced visibility.
Residents across all three states should secure outdoor items, charge devices, and stay alert for warnings. The threat will persist through 1 a.m., with additional warnings likely as storms intensify and track east.
