Springfield, Illinois – More than 30 counties across central Illinois, including Peoria, Champaign, and Decatur, are under a Tornado Watch until 8 p.m. Tuesday as unstable air and fast-moving storms threaten to produce isolated tornadoes.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, Tornado Watch 304 includes 36 counties, stretching from Warren and Knox in the west to Vermilion and Clark along the Indiana border. The watch was issued at 1:45 p.m. CDT as atmospheric conditions became favorable for supercell development.
Cities along Interstates 55, 57, and 74 could see sudden storm cells capable of rotating winds and damaging hail. Local emergency managers urge residents to stay near shelter, keep weather alerts enabled, and be ready to act quickly if warnings are issued.
This includes major population centers like Springfield, Bloomington, and Mattoon, as well as rural areas where response times may be longer. School events and sports practices may be paused in some districts this evening.
The tornado threat will taper after sunset but could be replaced by strong winds or heavy rain into the overnight hours. More alerts are possible if storms redevelop or shift east. Stay tuned for updates from the NWS.
