UPDATED 3:31 P.M.
PEORIA, Ill. – A tornado was confirmed near Eureka Friday afternoon as severe storms made their way through central Illinois.
The National Weather Service reports the tornado was paired with two inch hail falling.
Golf ball sized hail was reported in Peoria Heights. A weather spotter reported one inch hail in Hanna City. Hail has also been reported in Glasford and Bellevue.
Multiple tornado warnings have been issued in Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, and Fulton Counties.
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UPDATED 3:05 P.M. (3/31)
PEORIA, Ill. – Severe storms moved into the Peoria-area Friday afternoon.
Tornado warnings have been issued throughout the afternoon in Peoria, Woodford, Tazewell, and Fulton Counties.
Reports of one inch hail was measured by a weather spotter in Hanna City. Multiple cars were also damaged by hail in Fulton County. Golf ball sized hail was also reported in Peoria Heights.
Stay tuned to 1470 and 100.3 WMBD for the latest on severe weather.
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UPDATED 5:50 A.M. (3/31)
PEORIA, Ill. — The most significant threat of severe weather for Central Illinois appears to be coming late Friday.
25 News First Alert Meteorologist Brian Walder says the Peoria area may see a few showers and storms linger through the first part of the morning, but the main focus for severe weather will be Friday evening.
“Severe thunderstorms capable of producing high, damaging winds of 70+ mph, large hail and a few tornadoes will be possible. Some tornadoes may be strong and long lasting,” Walder says.
Storms will race quickly across Central Illinois Friday evening, Walder adds, traveling as fast as 60-plus miles per hour.
A Wind Advisory has been issued for the Peoria area Friday afternoon – Saturday afternoon.
Stay with 1470 & 100.3 WMBD for the very latest weather information throughout the day Friday.
UPDATED 3:21 P.M.
LINCOLN, Ill. – Chances of severe weather you don’t often see in this part of Illinois are in the forecast for Friday.
That’s according to National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist Ed Shimon in Lincoln, with a “moderate” risk close to Peoria, in Northwest Illinois.
“The likelihood of this being an impactful event is definitely there,” said Shimon. “Loss of life is usually when we have a Level 4 or Level 5, moderate or high risk. Structural damage potential here.”
Northwest Illinois is under a “Level 4” potential for severe weather, but the Peoria area is in “Level 3.”
“The wind damage being our primary concern,” said Shimon. “75-plus miles per hour wind potential there. That can cause structural damage. 80 miles and hour is what can actually roll over a mobile home and cause it to structurally fail. Definitely not a good place to be for this particular event.”
After the severe weather is done Friday, Shimon says there will still be a period of very gusty winds that could add to the damage. Wind gusts could get close to 50 miles per hour Saturday, while weather will be dry.
“The main message is to just be prepared for significant severe storms to develop across Illinois and move very rapidly to the east,” said Shimon.
Stay with 1470 & 100.3 WMBD for all the latest severe weather information.
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PEORIA, Ill. — There’s a threat of strong storms in the Peoria area beginning Thursday night.
25 News First Alert Meteorologist Brian Walder says these storms will be capable of producing hail and heavy rain.
“A conditional severe weather threat exists Friday afternoon. A few discrete cells may form, but it’s not a guarantee…If they do form, a few tornadoes and large hail may be possible,” Walder says.
Walder says the area’s best chance for severe weather will come Friday evening, mainly between 6-10 PM.
High, damaging winds upward of 70+ mph will be possible.
Stay tuned to 1470 and 100.3 WMBD for the latest severe weather information.
