AI Generated Image
Large hail, winds and tornadoes possible amid flash flood threat in the Plains
FOX Weather • • nation
Key Points:
- A tornado outbreak is impacting the Plains, particularly southern Illinois, with large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes, leading to approximately 1.5 million people under a Tornado Watch.
- The outbreak was fueled by a mesoscale convective vortex (MCV) left behind by earlier storms, which enhanced wind rotation and storm energy, causing mini-supercells and multiple tornado warnings.
- Despite numerous tornado warnings and confirmed tornadoes, damage reports remain minimal due to the short-lived nature of the tornadoes.
- Illinois has experienced an unprecedented tornado season with 173 reports so far, far exceeding its average of 54 per year, making it the national hotspot for tornadic activity this year.
- A Flood Watch is also in effect with a Level 3 flash flood threat due to repeated thunderstorms expected to bring heavy rain through Sunday night, and additional severe storms are forecasted to continue spreading eastward into the Midwest and East by Monday.
