CENTRAL ILLINOIS — Severe storms are ongoing and continuing to threaten central and southeast Illinois today May 18 with multiple waves of storm activity expected through 8 PM, with damaging winds and small hail identified as the biggest concerns and a weak spin up that cannot be ruled out across the highest chance zone covering Effingham, Vandalia, Salem, Robinson, Newton, Louisville, Flora, and Olney.
The severe storm window runs from now through 8 PM with one wave currently ongoing and a second more significant wave expected to develop after 3 PM across the outlined highest chance zone in central and southeast Illinois.
Two Wave Severe Storm Threat Running From Now Through 8 PM Across Illinois
The severe weather setup today across central and southeast Illinois is organized into two distinct waves of storm activity, with the first wave already underway this morning and complicating the overall forecast picture with ongoing storm coverage across portions of the region.
A second and potentially more significant wave of severe storms is expected to develop after 3 PM, making the afternoon hours the primary window of concern for the highest chance zone outlined across central and southeast Illinois through the 8 PM cutoff.
The multiple wave nature of today’s threat means residents across the outlined area should remain weather aware for an extended period rather than assuming the storm threat passes after the morning activity clears through the region.
Highest Chance Zone Covers Effingham Vandalia Robinson and Southeast Illinois Corridor
The highest chance zone for severe storm impacts today is outlined across a broad area of central and southeast Illinois, covering communities including Effingham, Vandalia, Ramsey, Newton, Robinson, Louisville, Flora, Olney, Salem, Carlyle, Shelbyville, Charleston, and Fairfield.
This highest chance corridor represents the area forecasters believe has the best combination of atmospheric ingredients to support organized severe storm development during both the morning wave and the more significant post-3 PM wave of activity today.
Communities just outside the highest chance zone including Carlinville, Hillsboro, Greenville, Edwardsville, St. Louis, Belleville, and surrounding areas fall within the some risk zone, indicating a lower but still meaningful severe storm probability for the western and southern portions of the region.
Damaging Winds and Small Hail Primary Threats With Weak Spin Up Cannot Be Ruled Out
Forecasters have identified damaging winds and small hail as the two primary hazards associated with today’s severe storm activity across central and southeast Illinois, with these two threats expected to be the most commonly reported impacts from storms moving through the highest chance zone.
A weak spin up or brief tornado cannot be completely ruled out with today’s storm activity, though this threat remains secondary to the damaging wind and hail concerns that are driving the severe storm designation across the outlined zone for May 18.
Residents across the entire highest chance zone from Vandalia and Effingham through Robinson and Olney should stay weather aware through 8 PM today, have a reliable way to receive severe weather warnings, and be prepared to take shelter quickly if conditions deteriorate during either the morning or post-3 PM storm waves. Stay with GordonRamsayClub.com for the latest updates.
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