Meteorologist Darren Leeds
Evening Meteorologist at FOX Illinois
Eastern Illinois University Alum
Bringing you up-to-date weather forecasts for Central IL
04/27/2026
Sunday, April 26, 10:30PM
I've been getting a lot of questions about the timing of the storms. When it's going to impact where you live, etc. The fact of the matter is, it's been changing with every model update today. Here's the latest from our high-resolution model this evening. Storms look like they'll be moving very quickly across the region.
9 AM-Noon: Storms start to impact I-55 and areas west with strong winds and large hail potential
1-3 PM: Storms should reach I-57 as they make their way east
3-5 PM: We're looking at more of a concern from supercell development across the area. This would carry a bigger concern for tornadic activity
6-8 PM: Larger clusters of storms are possible as the cold front pushes into far western Illinois.
9 PM and Later: Storms should be exiting the area, and calmer conditions will take over
https://newschannel20.com/weather
https://foxillinois.com/weather
04/26/2026
Sunday, April 26, 5:30PM
Monday is still shaping up to be a very active weather day here in Central Illinois. Severe weather potential remains high. The Storm Prediction Center has us under the Level 3 out of 5 threat for severe storms. We're also carrying a 10% risk of tornadoes. The black lines indicate that, if tornadoes develop, they could reach EF3 strength. Supercells that separate from the main line of storms would pose the greater tornado risk.
https://newschannel20.com/weather
https://foxillinois.com/weather
04/23/2026
Thursday, April 23, 12:45PM
Significant severe weather is possible on Monday.
The Storm Prediction Center has expanded the severe risk for Monday to now include all of Central Illinois. Most of our area is split between SLIGHT RISK in YELLOW, but the areas in ORANGE are in an ENHANCED RISK. More updates will be coming in the next few days.
https://newschannel20.com/weather
https://foxillinois.com/weather
We’ve got one more day of the Summer-like temperatures before our next cool down arrives on Friday. Thursday will again feature high temperatures in the low to mid 80s, making it our warmest day in the extended forecast.
A cold front will push into the Midwest Thursday night, triggering thunderstorms by early Friday morning.
Another system looks to move into the region by Monday of next week, bringing even more rain and some thunderstorms.
https://newschannel20.com/weather
https://foxillinois.com/weather
04/22/2026
Wednesday, April 22, 4:35PM
The latest high-resolution model (HRRR) has a strong line of thunderstorms pushing into Illinois after Midnight/early Friday morning. The line will weaken as it enters the state.
Storm energy looks limited at that point, but this system will still likely produce heavy rain and potential for damaging winds up to 60 MPH. Otherwise, our severe weather threat will stay low.
https://newschannel20.com/weather
https://foxillinois.com/weather
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