Davenport, Iowa – Residents along and east of the Mississippi River in Iowa and Illinois should remain alert this afternoon as conditions favor the development of funnel clouds and possibly weak, brief tornadoes. Local emergency management officials are urging people in the Quad Cities and surrounding counties to stay tuned for updates as weather threats evolve quickly.
According to the National Weather Service Quad Cities, atmospheric conditions are ideal for funnel cloud formation through Wednesday evening, especially in counties bordering the river. The NWS is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to issue a Tornado Warning if the threat intensifies.
Areas at highest risk include Scott, Clinton, and Muscatine counties in Iowa, along with Rock Island, Mercer, and Whiteside counties in Illinois. Afternoon travelers on major roads like I-80, I-74, and Highway 61 should keep a close eye on the sky and be prepared to take shelter at a moment’s notice.
Residents are advised to avoid outdoor activities, stay weather aware with the latest alerts, and seek shelter indoors if a funnel cloud or tornado is spotted. This event follows a stretch of calm weather, making today’s sudden uptick in severe weather especially notable for the region.
Funnel cloud and weak tornado potential may continue into early evening. Additional advisories or warnings could be issued if conditions worsen.
