Springfield, Illinois – A tornado watch is in effect until 7 p.m. Friday for 16 counties across central and southern Illinois, including Jackson, Monroe, and Madison, as severe thunderstorms sweep through the region with conditions ripe for rotation.
According to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center, Tornado Watch 262 includes areas from the St. Louis Metro East to as far north as Montgomery County and south to Perry and Randolph. The watch, issued just before noon Friday, warns of scattered supercells capable of producing tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, and large hail throughout the afternoon and evening hours.
Communities under the watch include Edwardsville, Belleville, Carbondale, Centralia, and Vandalia. Travel along major routes like I-55, I-64, and I-70 could be dangerous as storms develop rapidly and shift eastward. Residents should be ready to take shelter immediately if warnings are issued. Emergency kits, charged devices, and access to local alerts are strongly recommended.
This system is part of a broader severe weather threat sweeping across the Midwest today. Friday evening events and commutes could be impacted by fast-developing storms.
The tornado watch remains in effect until 7 p.m. CDT. Additional warnings or watches may follow as conditions evolve.
