Tornado Watch 131 in Effect Until 11 p.m.; Chicago Area Included as Damaging Winds and Large Hail Possible

The severe weather threat is continuing across all of Tornado Watch 131, including parts of the Chicago metropolitan area, according to a Friday evening status report from the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center. The watch was issued at 3:30 p.m. CDT Friday and remains in effect until 11 p.m. CDT. In its update, the Storm Prediction Center said: “THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES ACROSS THE ENTIRE WATCH AREA.”

Tornado Watch 131 covers portions of central and northeast Illinois, northeast Missouri and Lake Michigan coastal waters. In Illinois, that includes a broad stretch of the state, with counties such as Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane, Kendall, Grundy, Kankakee, Livingston, McLean, Sangamon, Peoria, Madison and St. Clair among those included, along with many others. The status report specifically addressed local forecast offices serving St. Louis, Lincoln, Illinois, and Chicago.

The Storm Prediction Center said the main threats include a couple of tornadoes, widespread damaging winds and large hail. Winds are the biggest concern, with widespread damaging gusts likely and isolated significant gusts up to 75 mph possible. The watch also warns of scattered large hail, with isolated hailstones up to 2.5 inches in diameter possible. In aviation text tied to the watch, the agency also warned of extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 65 knots, a detail that could matter for air travel in and out of the Chicago area.

A tornado watch does not mean a tornado has been confirmed on the ground. It means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and near the watch area. As the Storm Prediction Center said when it issued the watch: “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.” The Storm Prediction Center issues regional watches, while local National Weather Service offices issue tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings for specific counties and communities.

Friday’s update does not confirm tornado touchdowns, injuries, deaths or damage surveys. But the watch’s reach into the Chicago area makes it a significant public-safety concern because it covers one of the nation’s largest population centers. Residents in the watch area should closely monitor county-level warnings and forecast updates through their local National Weather Service office and other official alert channels through 11 p.m. CDT.