ILLINOIS — Parts of southern Illinois are under a risk for severe thunderstorms Monday, with forecasters warning that an isolated tornado may be possible as storms develop across the region.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center’s Day 1 Convective Outlook, southern Illinois is included in an area where a few strong to severe thunderstorms could form through the afternoon and evening hours.
Forecasters said an upper-level disturbance moving through the mid-Mississippi Valley is interacting with a moist and moderately unstable air mass across southern Illinois. While widespread severe weather is not expected, conditions may support occasional severe storms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and a tornado.
The Storm Prediction Center noted that winds changing direction with height, combined with sufficient atmospheric instability, could allow some storms to become organized enough to produce brief tornadoes. Gusty winds are expected to be the primary threat, although a tornado cannot be ruled out.
The tornado threat remains isolated and relatively low, but residents across southern Illinois are encouraged to stay weather aware and monitor forecasts throughout the day in case warnings are issued.
The strongest severe weather threat nationwide Monday is expected across portions of eastern Colorado, southeast Wyoming, Nebraska and Kansas, where large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes are forecast. However, forecasters say southern Illinois remains one of the areas where isolated tornado development is possible.
Residents are urged to have multiple ways to receive weather warnings and be prepared to seek shelter if severe weather approaches.
