Live weather blog: latest information on system of severe storms
Here's the latest reporting from the WCBU Newsroom about a "powerhouse" system of spring storms heading into the Tri-County area Friday night.
A line of severe spring storms is anticipated to reach the Tri-County area Friday night.
According to the National Weather Service Lincoln the thunderstorms bring with them chances of damaging gusts of wind up to 80 miles per hour, golf ball-sized hail and the possibility of a "few tornadoes."
NWS: Severe thunderstorm warnings expire across Tri-County area
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings issued by the National Weather Service in Lincoln across the Tri-County area expired at 11:15 p.m.
The area including the entirety of or significant portions of Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties remain under a Tornado Watch until 3 a.m.
High Wind Warnings and Wind Advisories remain in effect across the region into Saturday afternoon.
NWS: Tornado warning expires in Tazewell County
The National Weather Service in Lincoln says the Tornado Warning issued for southeastern Tazewell County has expired.
However, large hail and damaging winds are expected to last late into the night. Wind gusts could continue into Saturday afternoon.
A Tornado Watch remain in effect until 3:00 a.m. for Central Illinois.
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect in portions of Tazewell County until 11 p.m.
NWS: Severe thunderstorm warnings expanded
The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a new Severe Thunderstorm Warning Marshall County, Woodford County, northeastern Tazewell County and northeastern Peoria County.
The warning is in effect until 11:15 p.m.
The towns of Sparland, East Peoria, Morton, Lacon, Chillicothe, Germantown Hills, Metamora, Washington, Deer Creek, and Henry are all in the immediate path of the storm.
The storm will bring its 70 mile per hour wind gusts to Washburn Goodfield, Eureka, Toluca, Benson and Secor by 10:40 p.m.
NWS: Tornado warning in southeastern Tazewell County
The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a tornado warning for parts of Tazewell County.
The National Weather Service expects dangerous storms seen south of Pekin to reach Tremont, Mackinaw and Hopedale around 10:20 p.m.
The tornado warning is in effect until 10:45 p.m.
NWS: Severe thunderstorm warnings in Tazewell and Peoria counties
The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Peoria County and western Tazewell County.
A line of thunderstorms extending from Galva to near Havana were spotted by the NWS around 9:45 p.m. The storms are heading northeast towards the Peoria area at 65 miles per hour.
The NWS says to expect 70 mile per hour wind gusts and considerable tree damage.
The NWS advises to shelter indoors in an interior room on the lowest floor of the building.
The severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 10:45 p.m.
NWS: Tornado warning in Fulton county
The National Weather Service Lincoln office has issued a tornado warning for central Fulton County.
A severe squall was detected near Cuba and Lewistown around 9:30 p.m. Possible hazards include tornadoes and quarter-sized hail.
The Weather Service advises central Fulton county residents to take cover in an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.
The area under the tornado warning includes the village of Bryant, which suffered extensive tornado damage in a series of storms in April 2024.
National Weather Service issues tornado watch
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for a wide swath of Central and Southeast Illinois.
The watch includes Tazewell, Logan, Woodford and Peoria counties, among dozens of others.
The watch is in effect until 3 a.m. Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service, a watch means conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes.
The area is also still under a wind advisory issued earlier today. The wind advisory remains in effect until 4 p.m. Saturday.