ILLINOIS, (WAND) - The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for a portion of central Illinois, effective from 3:30 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. Friday.
A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Residents are urged to stay alert, monitor weather updates, and be prepared to take action if warnings are issued.
TRACK THE STORMS | Click here for a weather radar to keep an eye on the storms
According to the NWS, primary threats include:
- A few tornadoes possible
- Widespread damaging winds, with gusts up to 75 mph
- Scattered large hail, with isolated hail up to 2.5 inches in diameter
Counties included in the watch span central and west-central Illinois, including areas around Decatur, Springfield, Peoria, Bloomington, and Jacksonville, among others.
Residents in the affected areas are encouraged to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts and to seek shelter immediately if severe weather approaches.
The WAND Weather Team is tracking severe storms moving through central Illinois—stay ahead of the weather by downloading the WAND Weather App.
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