Rockford, Ill. – Residents across northern Illinois, including Rockford and Freeport, are under a tornado watch until 10 p.m. Thursday as unstable conditions set the stage for possible severe storms this evening.
According to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center, Tornado Watch 253 includes Boone, Jo Daviess, McHenry, Stephenson, and Winnebago counties. Thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes, damaging winds up to 70 mph, and large hail are possible through tonight.
Communities such as Belvidere, Galena, and Harvard are urged to stay weather-aware and have shelter plans ready. Outdoor events may need to be postponed, and residents are advised to charge phones, secure outdoor items, and avoid unnecessary travel if warnings are issued.
The watch area covers a corridor stretching from the Wisconsin border into northwest Illinois, where warm, moist air is interacting with a strong frontal boundary—conditions typical for May tornado development in the Midwest.
This is the first tornado watch of the month for northern Illinois, following a relatively quiet start to spring storm season. Additional watches or warnings could follow depending on storm evolution.
