Chicago, Ill. – Residents across northern and central Illinois should be alert this evening as a tornado watch remains in effect until 10 p.m. Thursday, with the greatest threats being damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes.
According to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center, Tornado Watch 255 includes 33 counties from Cook and DuPage to Peoria, Champaign, and McLean. The system is expected to produce fast-moving supercells capable of rotating, especially in open areas along I-55 and I-74 corridors.
Cities such as Chicago, Aurora, Bloomington, and Kankakee are in the path of potential storms. Emergency managers urge residents to review tornado safety plans, charge mobile devices, and stay tuned to local alerts. Outdoor activities should be postponed, and residents should be prepared to take shelter quickly if warnings are issued.
This is the first widespread tornado watch of May for Illinois, aligning with peak severe weather season in the Midwest.
More updates are expected from the NWS later tonight. The watch remains in effect until 10 p.m., and additional warnings may be issued with little notice.
