Champaign, Illinois – Residents across eastern and southeastern Illinois could face damaging storms after sunset Sunday as a line of severe thunderstorms moves across the region along a strong cold front.
According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, scattered severe storms are expected mainly after 6 p.m. Sunday, with the greatest risk stretching east of Interstate 55, including cities such as Champaign, Decatur, Charleston, Danville and Effingham.
Meteorologists say the primary hazard will be damaging straight-line winds that could reach 60 to 80 mph, strong enough to down trees and power lines. A few embedded tornadoes may also develop within the storm line as it pushes east across central Illinois.
The storms are expected to organize during the evening and sweep across the region from west to east, potentially impacting travel along Interstates 57, 70 and 74 during the evening hours.
Heavy downpours and brief bursts of hail may also accompany the strongest storms. Local emergency managers urge residents to have multiple ways to receive warnings Sunday evening, especially since storms will arrive after sunset.
After the storm system passes, temperatures will fall rapidly overnight with much colder air moving into Illinois by early Monday. Additional updates and possible severe weather watches could be issued as the system approaches Sunday evening.
