Rockford, Ill. – Severe storms are expected to sweep across western and northern Illinois Tuesday evening, prompting a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for 25 counties through 11 p.m.
According to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center, the watch covers a wide stretch from Adams County near the Missouri border to Winnebago and Stephenson counties near Wisconsin. Damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph and hail up to 1 inch in diameter are possible with these fast-moving storms. Lightning and brief downpours could also impact visibility on major highways, including I-74, I-80, and U.S. 67.
Cities under the watch include Rockford, Peoria, Galesburg, and the Quad Cities. Emergency managers in affected counties are urging residents to secure outdoor items, charge devices, and avoid non-essential travel during the most active storm period, which is expected between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.
This is the first widespread severe thunderstorm watch of June for Illinois, signaling the start of an active summer pattern. Tuesday’s storms follow a humid, unstable air mass that built over the Mississippi River Valley earlier in the day.
Residents should stay alert for updated warnings and be prepared to take shelter if severe storm warnings are issued.
