Overview
- An enhanced risk zone covers the Chicago–Milwaukee corridor Tuesday evening, with a tornado watch in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin in effect until 10 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
- Forecasters warn that discrete supercells could produce EF-2 or stronger tornadoes and hail larger than 2 inches before storms merge into a fast-moving wind threat.
- Unseasonably hot, humid air from the Gulf and strong upper-level winds are driving high instability and wind shear, the mix that helps storms intensify quickly.
- Multiple rounds are likely through Wednesday and again late week, and heavy rain on already wet ground could trigger flash flooding and rising rivers.
- Following Monday’s outbreak, which generated at least 15 preliminary tornado reports in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Kansas, officials are urging residents to stay alert for evening and overnight warnings.