ILLINOIS — A tornado watch has been issued for 21 counties across western and northwestern Illinois and remains in effect until 3 p.m. CDT Thursday, according to the National Weather Service and the Storm Prediction Center.
The watch includes Adams, Brown, Bureau, Carroll, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Jo Daviess, Knox, Marshall, McDonough, Mercer, Peoria, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Stephenson, Warren and Whiteside counties.
A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes, along with severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds and large hail. Residents in the affected counties are encouraged to closely monitor weather conditions and be prepared to take shelter if warnings are issued.
The watch was issued by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, at 7:30 a.m. Thursday and covers portions of western and northwestern Illinois as a line of strong to severe storms moves through the region.
Residents are urged to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts and review their severe weather safety plans. A tornado warning indicates a tornado has been sighted or detected by radar and requires immediate action to seek shelter.
The tornado watch remains in effect until 3 p.m. CDT unless it is canceled or replaced by additional weather advisories.
