Springfield, Ill. – Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to sweep through central Illinois Sunday evening, bringing damaging winds, hail, and the chance of a tornado west of I-55. Residents along the I-55 corridor should prepare for intense weather conditions lasting through midnight.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, storms will begin moving in from Missouri between 6 and 10 p.m. in western Illinois, with the threat shifting east of I-55 between 8 p.m. and midnight. While the storms may weaken as they reach central areas, wind gusts over 60 mph remain a significant concern.
Cities like Quincy, Jacksonville, and Springfield could see isolated tornadoes, especially west of I-55, along with scattered quarter-sized hail. The NWS urges residents to avoid travel during the storm window and to have multiple ways to receive warnings. Power outages are possible due to wind damage and falling limbs.
Severe weather warnings may continue into early Monday. Stay tuned to local alerts and be ready to take shelter if warnings are issued.
