While this watch only covers a small portion of our area, watches will be expanded in the coming hours so stay with WDRB for continuing severe weather coverage. 

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Tornado Watch for portions of

Central and Eastern Illinois

Western and Central Indiana

* Effective this Wednesday afternoon and evening from 315 PM

until 1000 PM CDT.

* Primary threats include...

Several tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes

possible

Widespread damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts

to 80 mph possible

Scattered large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

SUMMARY...Severe storms are expected to develop and increase

initially across central/northeast Illinois late this afternoon, and

steadily progress east-northeastward into eastern Illinois and much

of western/central/northern Indiana by evening.

The tornado watch area is approximately along and 90 statute miles

north and south of a line from 30 miles west northwest of Decatur IL

to 45 miles north northeast of Indianapolis IN. For a complete

depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update

(WOUS64 KWNS WOU9).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for

tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch

area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for

threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements

and possible warnings.