ACUS11 KWNS 180153 SWOMCD SPC MCD 180152 ILZ000-180315- Mesoscale Discussion 0487 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0852 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 Areas affected...Central to east-central Illinois Concerning...Tornado Watch 131... Valid 180152Z - 180315Z The severe weather threat for Tornado Watch 131 continues. SUMMARY...A corridor of higher severe wind and QLCS tornado potential is evident across central and east-central Illinois and will likely persist for the next hour or two. DISCUSSION...Radar imagery from KILX has recently been sampling 45-55 knot winds between 500-1000 ft ARL with the approach of a bowing segment of a convective line. Additionally, several embedded circulations have been noted on the leading edge of the bow. Per recent mesoanalysis, the regional convective environment appears most favorable immediately downstream of the bow, and the KILX VWP continues to show strengthening low-level winds with 0-1 km SRH recently increasing to over 400 m2/s2 immediately ahead of the line. Consequently, confidence is high that the severe wind/QLCS tornado threat will likely be maximized downstream into east-central IL over the next 1-2 hours. ..Moore.. 04/18/2026 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product... ATTN...WFO...LOT...ILX... LAT...LON 39858950 39978965 40178952 40348932 40478925 40668919 40888780 40748758 40478758 40208761 39988772 39838798 39858950 MOST PROBABLE PEAK TORNADO INTENSITY...85-115 MPH MOST PROBABLE PEAK WIND GUST...65-80 MPH MOST PROBABLE PEAK HAIL SIZE...UP TO 1.25 IN ACUS11 KWNS 180153 SWOMCD SPC MCD 180152 ILZ000-180315- Mesoscale Discussion 0487 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0852 PM CDT Fri Apr 17 2026 Areas affected...Central to east-central Illinois Concerning...Tornado Watch 131... Valid 180152Z - 180315Z The severe weather threat for Tornado Watch 131 continues. SUMMARY...A corridor of higher severe wind and QLCS tornado potential is evident across central and east-central Illinois and will likely persist for the next hour or two. DISCUSSION...Radar imagery from KILX has recently been sampling 45-55 knot winds between 500-1000 ft ARL with the approach of a bowing segment of a convective line. Additionally, several embedded circulations have been noted on the leading edge of the bow. Per recent mesoanalysis, the regional convective environment appears most favorable immediately downstream of the bow, and the KILX VWP continues to show strengthening low-level winds with 0-1 km SRH recently increasing to over 400 m2/s2 immediately ahead of the line. Consequently, confidence is high that the severe wind/QLCS tornado threat will likely be maximized downstream into east-central IL over the next 1-2 hours. ..Moore.. 04/18/2026 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product... ATTN...WFO...LOT...ILX... LAT...LON 39858950 39978965 40178952 40348932 40478925 40668919 40888780 40748758 40478758 40208761 39988772 39838798 39858950 MOST PROBABLE PEAK TORNADO INTENSITY...85-115 MPH MOST PROBABLE PEAK WIND GUST...65-80 MPH MOST PROBABLE PEAK HAIL SIZE...UP TO 1.25 IN