Tornado Warning Issued for Illinois, Indiana and Ohio
Tornado warnings covering areas from Illinois to Ohio have been issued by weather experts Monday. The greatest threat was reported to be based along a warm front extending from east-central Illinois to northwestern Ohio, where a tornado watch is in effect until 8 p.m., The National Weather Service stated.
The agency announced favorable conditions for strong, damaging tornadoes in the area covered by the tornado watch. In addition, the storms are expected to be capable of producing large hail, potentially damaging straight-line winds, and frequent cloud-to-ground lightnings.
Severe thunderstorms and damaging tornadoes could affect population centers in these three states this afternoon and evening, including Cincinnati, Ohio and Indianapolis, Ind, the agency stated.
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According to AccuWeather, a weather forecast channel, the most dangerous thunderstorms were developing mid-day along a line from just north of Champaign, Ill., to Fort Wayne, Ind., and Defiance, Ohio.
Indianapolis, Ind., as well as cities from Interstate 70 in Illinois to Dayton and Columbus, Ohio, are at particular risk from violent thunderstorms, experts stated, adding that the extreme wind wind creates a threat extending southward into Kentucky and eastward into far eastern Ohio.
The strongest storms are expected to be producing gusts stronger reaching over 60 mph in strenght. Winds of this magnitude can reportedly cause power outages, tree damage and an extent of property damage.
Earlier Monday afternoon, a tornado was reported in Lake of the Woods, Ill., with a 76-mph wind gust measured in the area.
"People potentially in the path of these thunderstorms need to be ready to seek safe shelter immediately if a tornado or severe thunderstorm warning is issued," Meghan Evans, a meteorologist at AccuWeather.com, said. "While any tornado that hits a populated area can cause devastation, tornadoes will be isolated today. The more common and widespread impact with thunderstorms this afternoon will be damaging winds."
