weather

A line of thunderstorms that swept through Greater Peoria on Thursday evening has left thousands with no electricity service.

Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties are facing an enhanced risk of severe weather (Level 3/4 out of 5) for a storm expected to hit between 5 p.m. to midnight Thursday.

Bloomington-Normal and Greater Peoria again avoided the worst of a spring storm system that moved through the area Sunday. A winter weather advisory remains in effect until 1 p.m. Monday.

The National Weather Service is warning of an enhanced risk of tornados and other severe weather on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning throughout Central Illinois.

Peoria Public Schools will be closed again Monday, Jan. 26, due to extreme cold and ongoing concerns for student safety — especially those who walk to school. Schools were closed Friday, too.

All court hearings will be postponed Friday. Traffic and criminal hearings will be rescheduled by mail. Civil proceedings must be rescheduled via email.

The warning is in effect from 3 a.m. to noon Friday for McLean, Woodford, Tazewell, Peoria, Marshall, Stark and Knox counties.

Much of Central Illinois will be facing some extreme cold Thursday night into Friday. Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 25 to 30 degrees below zero are possible.

The National Weather Service confirmed three tornadoes in Central Illinois during a severe weather outbreak Sunday. There was damage in Pontiac and near Pekin and Decatur.

Peoria has already seen nearly 17 inches of snow this month. An entire winter's worth of snow is around 26 inches.