Tornado Watch Issued For Several Counties In IL

ILLINOIS — A tornado watch has been issued as severe thunderstorms approach the south suburbs of Chicago on Wednesday night. The tornado watch is in effect across Illinois until 5 a.m. for Will County and Grundy County, as well as Bond, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clinton, Coles, Cumberland, De Witt, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Greene, Iroquois, Jersey, Kankakee, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, Mason, McLean, Menard, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Moutrie, Piatt, Pike, Sangamon, Scott, Shelby, St. Clair, Tazewell, Vermilion, Washington and Woodford counties.

The National Weather Service said there is a significant thunderstorm risk with a limited tornado risk, elevated hail risk, elevated flooding risk and elevated damaging wind risk.

Widespread gusts up to 80 mph and hail up to the size of ping pong balls are the primary threats with these storms. The NWS said there is also a possibility for a couple of strong tornadoes.

Timing of the severe risk will be between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., primarily south of I-88, although storms are still possible to the north, according to the NWS.