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Illinois Braces for Double Storm Threat: Tornadoes & Flooding
11 Jun
Summary
- Tornado watch issued for northwest Illinois counties until 3 p.m. Thursday.
- Two storm rounds expected Thursday: morning and early evening.
- Severe weather risk includes large hail, tornadoes, and damaging winds.
Northwest Illinois counties, including Stephenson, Jo Daviess, and Carroll, are under a tornado watch until 3 p.m. on Thursday. The National Weather Service has issued an enhanced, level 3 out of 5, risk for severe weather. Residents can expect two rounds of storms on Thursday, with the first in the morning and the second in the early evening.
These storms are predicted to move quickly, potentially exceeding 50 mph, leaving less time to react. The storms could produce very large hail and tornadoes, with the highest tornado risk anticipated during the passage of a strong low-pressure system on Thursday afternoon. Damaging winds of 70 to 80 mph are also possible if storms develop into lines.
Heavy rainfall accompanying the storms raises the risk of flash flooding, particularly if storms repeatedly hit the same areas. Additionally, strong gradient winds are expected, with gusts up to 45 mph ahead of a cold front and up to 50 mph behind it late Thursday afternoon and early evening. Thunderstorms, some potentially severe, are also forecast for Saturday afternoon and evening.
