Springfield, Ill. – Residents across east-central Illinois were urged to stay alert Tuesday after funnel clouds were spotted between Paris and Oakland late Tuesday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, the sighting was confirmed around 11:07 a.m. CDT. While these funnel clouds are typically short-lived and rarely touch down, they may persist in areas from Springfield and Champaign to Mattoon and Robinson through the evening.
Unlike tornadoes, cold air funnel clouds form in weakly developed clouds and generally lack strong wind rotation. However, they can briefly touch down under the right conditions. The NWS warns that low-hanging clouds may appear similar but do not show rapid, counter-clockwise rotation — a key sign of a developing funnel.
Communities in Vermilion, Macon, and Clark counties should remain cautious, especially as clouds continue to build throughout the afternoon. Outdoor events should be monitored, and residents should be prepared to move to shelter if rotation nears the ground.
These unusual weather conditions may continue into the early evening. Another update is expected if additional funnels are reported or if any touch down is confirmed.
