Weather Story

Central Illinois Forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Outlook for Today

Severe Thunderstorm Outlook for Sunday

Windy this Weekend

An active stretch of weather will continue across central Illinois into early next week. Breezy and warm conditions are expected over the weekend, but there will also be some showers and storms at times. Some storms could be severe. #ilwx

Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible (5 to 15 percent chance) this afternoon and evening. The primary threats are large hail one inch diameter or larger, and damaging wind gusts to 60 mph, but an isolated tornado is possible as well, mainly northwest of I-55. Locally heavy rain could also bring a threat of flash flooding if it falls in urban or poor drainage areas. Stay weather aware, be ready to take shelter indoors when storms approach, and have multiple ways to receive warnings.

Severe thunderstorms are possible again on Sunday (5 to 15 percent chance) as a cold front approaches the area. Strong to severe storms are most likely in the late afternoon and evening as storms move into the area from the west. Storms should tend to weaken late in the evening as they continue into eastern Illinois. The impact of earlier thunderstorms Saturday and Saturday night on the development of Sunday’s thunderstorms leads to uncertainty in timing and location of Sunday’s severe storm development.

Windy conditions are expected much of this weekend as south to southwest winds gust 30 to 40 mph each day. These winds will be strong enough to cause loose lightweight objects to be blown about, and to produce difficult travel, especially for high profile vehicles on east-west roads.