The National Weather Service reports that strong storms swept through the northern part of the county last night, prompting severe thunderstorm warnings and tornado watches. The most intense storms occurred in northern Illinois, particularly around the Decatur and Springfield areas with extensive damage being reported in some areas. Some areas of Southern Illinois are reporting damage as well. Following the storms, a significant weather shift is underway as gusty winds and much colder air move in.
The colder temperatures are expected to persist through today and Tuesday, with many locations struggling to rise above the freezing mark. Persistent northwest winds will add to the chill, and wind chill values have a 60 to 90 percent chance of falling into the single digits above zero, especially late Monday night into Tuesday morning. Residents planning to be outdoors are urged to dress in layers and limit extended exposure to the cold.
The cold snap, however, is expected to be brief. By midweek, temperatures will begin to recover, with highs returning to the 40s Wednesday through Friday under mostly dry conditions.