ILLINOIS — Parts of western and central Illinois are under a Marginal Risk and Slight Risk (Level 1 and 2 of 5) for severe thunderstorms Friday, June 26, according to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center.
Forecasters say scattered thunderstorms may develop during the afternoon and evening as a weather system moves across the Midwest. While the greatest threat for widespread severe weather is expected farther south and west, a few storms in Illinois could still become strong enough to produce isolated severe weather.
The primary threats are expected to be damaging wind gusts and hail, though the overall severe weather threat remains limited compared to areas farther south.
The Storm Prediction Center said a weak frontal boundary and increasing daytime heating will provide enough instability for thunderstorms to develop across portions of the state. Any storm that becomes organized could briefly reach severe limits before weakening.
Residents are encouraged to stay alert for changing weather conditions Friday afternoon and evening and monitor forecasts in case severe thunderstorm warnings are issued.
