Severe Thunderstorms Possible Late This Evening

Good Thursday Morning,

Confidence in timing and severity is still not 100%, but I wanted to provide a slightly more detailed update on the potential for severe thunderstorms to move into our area late this evening into early tonight.

Much of today will be hot and sunny across central Illinois. Late in the afternoon, scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop to our northwest, across portions of Iowa, Missouri, and northwest Illinois. Through the evening these storms will move southeast into central Illinois, and may bring severe impacts with them.

The biggest risk with any severe storms in the immediate Champaign-Urbana area will be damaging wind gusts, though hail and an isolated tornado can't be completely ruled out. The most likely time frame for any local impacts is between 6 PM and 12 AM on Thursday evening/night.

Overall, the risk for dangerous severe weather is highest to our west and north today, with Champaign County generally on the southeastern edge of today’s risk zone. Storms could very well be on their way out and weakening by the time they reach Champaign County - but there’s certainly a risk they could still be quite severe with damaging winds and isolated tornadoes. For now, consider any late evening plans that you have and how the potential for severe thunderstorms may impact them.

If severe weather does threaten, be sure to tune to IPM/WILL AM 580 FM 90.9 for live updates.