Tornado Warning Issued, Severe Thunderstorms Expected In Illinois
ACROSS ILLINOIS — The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for northeastern Will County and south central Cook County until 3:45 p.m. Saturday. Residents were advised to take cover immediately.
At 3:02 p.m., "a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Shorewood, or near Channahon, moving east at 35 mph," according to the NWS. Radar has indicated rotation and the storm could produce a tornado and hail as large as two inches in diameter.
The storm was approaching Joliet around 3:05 p.m., Elwood and Rockdale and Lockport around 3:10 p.m. and New Lenox and Ingalls Park around 3:20 p.m. The storm will approach Mokena and Goodings Grove around 3:25 p.m., Homer Glen around 3:30 p.m., Orland Park and Frankfort around 3:35 p.m. and Tinley Park around 3:40 p.m.
The NWS also issued a tornado watch for several counties throughout northern Illinois. The tornado watch will be in effect from 12:35 p.m. until 8 p.m.
The tornado watch comes as warmer temperatures are expected throughout the weekend. According to the National Weather Service, severe storms are expected throughout Saturday. As of 2:39 p.m., the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for southeastern Kendall County, northwestern Will County and northeastern Grundy County.
"A few tornadoes," damaging wind, heavy downpours and large hail are all possible Saturday afternoon, the NWS said. Radar indicated a hazard of wind gusts of up to 60 mph and quarter-sized hail, according to the NWS.
The weather service said the warm and humid weather will also yield a daily chance for storms Sunday through Thursday.
The following counties are included in the tornado watch:
- Boone
- Bureau
- Carroll
- Cook
- DuPage
- DeKalb
- DeWitt
- Grundy
- Henderson
- Henry
- Iroquois
- Jo Daviess
- Kane
- Kankakee
- Kendall
- Knox
- Lake
- LaSalle
- Lee
- Livingston
- Logan
- Marshall
- Mason
- McDonough
- McHenry
- McLean
- Mercer
- Ogle
- Peoria
- Putnam
- Rock Island
- Stark
- Stephenson
- Tazewell
- Warren
- Whiteside
- Will
- Winnebago
- Woodford
