Severe storms are exploding across parts of the Plains, Midwest and South, with more than 10 million people in the path of a dangerous tornado threat.
Confirmed tornadoes have hit Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Oklahoma and Texas, along with destructive baseball and even grapefruit-sized hail.
One long-lived supercell that began near Pontiac, Illinois tracked more than 100 miles into western Indiana, damaging structures and raising concerns about people trapped under debris.
Check out our full forecasthereand track the threathere.
Follow along below for the latest updates as the situation unfolds:
(10:11 p.m. EDT) Which States Have Confirmed Tornadoes So Far?
From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford:
Due to the nature of the long-standing tornado that moved through Illinois and Indiana, the tornado reports from the Storm Prediction Center may be a little misleading.
Here are the states that have seen confirmed tornadoes so far. Note that these are subject to change in the coming days as survey teams are sent out.
Texas (3): Callahan, Kinney, Taylor County
Oklahoma (1): Union City
Iowa (1): Mount Sterling
Illinois (1): Kankakee (crossed the Indiana state line)
Indiana (1): Knox (Tornado Emergency)
(10:06 p.m. EDT) An Update From Kankakee, Illinois
Officials in Kankakee County, Illinois, are reporting extensive damage from the long track tornado that touched down in the area.
Emergency crews are still checking for injuries and surveying the damage. Residents are being urged to avoid unnecessary travel.
(09:52 p.m. EDT) Hail As Big As Coffee Mugs
A remarkable severe weather report has come out of northeastern Illinois, where hail measuring 5.2 inches in diameter was reported southwest of Kankakee. If confirmed, it would be the largest hailstone recorded in Illinois in at least 65 years, highlighting just how intense this evening's storms have been. Hail of this size (about the size of a coffee mug) can cause significant damage to roofs, vehicles, crops and windows.
(09:46 p.m. EDT) Tornado Emergency Issued for Knox, Indiana
A tornado emergency has been issued for Knox, Indiana, as a confirmed large and life-threatening tornado has been spotted moving east at 30 mph.
Tornado emergencies are only issued under the most dire situations. This is only issued "when there is a severe threat to human life and catastrophic damage from an imminent or ongoing tornado", the NWS says.
(09:44 p.m. EDT) Confirmed Tornado in Iowa
From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford:
A confirmed tornado was observed over Mount Sterling, Iowa, as a round of storms continues to flare up in the area. The storm is heading east at 40 mph.
We now have confirmed tornadoes in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Oklahoma and Texas.
(09:36 p.m. EDT) Northern Illinois Not Out Of The Woods Yet
The Weather Prediction Center has flagged that the northern portion of Illinois could see more tornadoes in the next hour or two.
These storms have formed across southeastern Iowa and will move east into northern Illinois. Cities that could see storms are Kankakee and Pontiac, which both witnessed a long duration from a supercell earlier tonight.
(09:23 p.m. EDT) A Closer Look At The Illinois Supercell
The relentless supercell that first fired up near Pontiac, Illinois churned eastward for nearly four hours, eventually moving into Wheatfield, Indiana, more than 100 miles from where it first touched down.
It began as a strong tornado tearing across Interstate 57, later ripping through Kankakee, Illinois dropping tennis-ball-sized hail, damaging a solar farm and tracking near the Kankakee Airport and close to the city of Aroma Park.
Search and rescue due to intense structure damage is ongoing in multiple locations along the supercell's 100-mile path.
(09:11 p.m. EDT) The Latest Wind And Hail Reports
From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford:
We have at least 65 storm reports stretching from Texas to Illinois as a potent night of severe storms is ongoing.
So far, there have been over 50 large hail reports, with the highest being grapefruit-sized hail (4.5 inches in diameter) in Camp Wood, Texas. Also, a notable one was softball-sized hail - 4 inches in diameter- in Pontiac, Illinois.
There have also been 10 wind gust reports, with the highest being a report of 74 mph near Del Rio, Texas.
(08:58 p.m. EDT) Frightening Damage In Aroma Park, Illinois
A resident in Aroma Park took this footage after emerging from his tornado shelter. You can see trees completely toppled and some structural damage to nearby homes. There are reports that search and rescue is ongoing in the area.
(08:47 p.m. EDT) The Latest Tornado Reports
From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford:
There have been six tornado reports so far, with confirmed tornadoes reported in Union City, Oklahoma, Dudley, Texas and Kankakee Airport, Illinois.
The Kankakee Airport tornado is very strong and is still on the ground and has moved into northern Indiana. It even prompted its own tornado watch, which was issued across northern Indiana.
(08:32 p.m. EDT) A Deep Dive Into The Different Threats
From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford:
In addition to the level 4 risk for parts of the country, we also have two enhanced risk areas (level 3 of 5) for tonight. One of them is located in the Midwest, while the other is located in the Southern Plains. But, there are some major differences.
For the Midwest, we have plentiful amounts of shear, or changes in wind speed and direction in the atmosphere. Also, the storm system is tapping into the cooler temperatures, which helps create the instability and lift needed for tornado-producing storms. The air on the southern side is also providing sufficient moisture.
For the Southern Plains, hail is expected to be bigger. This is because the area has a dryline, which is a boundary between hot, dry air and warm, moist air. This dryline is helping to bring significant updrafts, which are essential for large hail development, as these updrafts keep pushing the hail higher and allow it to stay in the cloud longer.
(08:07 p.m. EDT) Tornado Damage In Illinois
We're getting our first look at damage from a tornado that touched down near Kankakee and Aroma Park, Illinois.
A storm chaser who witnessed the storm up close called it a "monster." There are ongoing reports that the tornado is still on the ground and moving toward the Indiana border.
(07:55 p.m. EDT) Confirmed Tornado Outside Oklahoma City
A confirmed tornado is on the ground east of Union City, Oklahoma, moving northeast at 30 mph. This storm will be over Oklahoma City within 30 minutes.
(07:51 p.m. EDT) More Than 8 Million People Under Tornado Watches
From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford:
With the latest tornado watch issued from eastern Kansas to western Illinois, there are four connected tornado watches that stretch from Texas to Indiana. This is about 1,000 miles if you draw a straight line.
The total population under some kind of tornado watch has grown to more than 8 million people.
At least 15 million people are under a severe thunderstorm watch, including much of Chicago.
(07:44 p.m. EDT) Hail Slamming Chicago
Take a closer look at the hail hitting Chicago.
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Some hail falling outside of the city has reportedly been as big as baseballs.
(07:33 p.m. EDT) Large And Powerful Tornado In Illinois
From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford:
A large and extremely dangerous tornado was located over Kankakee, moving east at 25 mph.
This storm is about to pass over Aroma Park.
"You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction is possible," warns the National Weather Service.
(07:19 p.m. EDT) Storms Seen On Satellite
Satellite imagery shows the storms bubbling up around Chicago, and it's pretty striking to watch them build in real time.
Thunderstorms southwest of the city have produced large hail and even a tornado.
(07:01 p.m. EDT) Severe Thunderstorm Warning Includes Downtown Chicago
From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford:
A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for the next hour for parts of DuPage and Cook Counties in Illinois, including downtown Chicago. The storm is currently located over Willowbrook, about 20 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, moving northeast at 35 mph.
This storm will be over downtown within the hour and has a history of producing large, damaging hail.
(06:55 p.m. EDT) 'Flying Eagle' Seen Near Del Rio, Texas
From senior digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:
A fascinating radar signature has been spotted along the Mexico border with the Texas Big Bend. Called the Flying Eagle or Flying V, it is a V-shaped reflection that signals a very strong updraft is occurring in a thunderstorm.
That updraft is so strong that it deflects winds at a height of 20,000-40,000 feet to the sides of it, creating two channels or wings of reflectivity on radar.
These signatures can be a sign that hail or tornadoes can be ongoing.Golf ball-sized hail was reportedin Del Rio.
(06:32 p.m. EDT) Tornadoes Spotted In Texas
Storm chasers in Texas have spotted twisters outside of Abilene, Texas.
Dramatic images posted to social media show dark clouds gathering from the storms.
(06:23 p.m. EDT) Grapefruit-Sized Hail Reported In Illinois
From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford:
The tornado-warned severe storm near Pontiac, Illinois, is also creating very large hail. A storm report has come in that mentions thatgrapefruit-sizedhail, or 4 inches in diameter, was reported in the area.
(06:10 p.m. EDT) Tornado Watch Issued For Northern Texas/Central Oklahoma
From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford:
The second tornado watch of the Southern Plains (third overall) has been issued for parts of western North Texas and western and central Oklahoma until 11 p.m. CDT.
The main threats are hail 3.5 inches in diameter, gusts up to 80 mph and a few tornadoes.
Oklahoma City is the largest population in the tornado watch.
(06:00 p.m. EDT) Video Shows Tornado Spotted In Pontiac, Illinois
Video posted to social media shows a warned tornado dropping toward the ground in Pontiac, Illinois, just outside of Peoria.
(05:50 p.m. EDT) Tornado Warning Issued In Illinois
A Tornado Warning is in effect for northeastern Livingston County, Illinois. A storm near the city of Pontiac, moving east at 30 mph is showing tornadic rotation on radar and could produce golf-ball-size hail. Residents are urged to take shelter immediately.
(05:38 p.m. EDT) Flood Watch Issued For Chicago
From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford:
An underrated threat when dealing with severe weather is heavy rainfall. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch, which includes the greater Chicago area, until late tonight.
The flood watch also includes neighboring portions of Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.
Rainfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour are possible in the heaviest storms, and any storms moving over the same area can quickly lead to flooding in urban areas. These areas have seen heavy rainfall in recent weeks, so it will not take much to cause flooding.
(05:12 p.m. EDT) Tornado Watch Issued South Of Chicago
From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford:
A second tornado watch has been issued, specifically for parts of southeast Iowa, northern and central Illinois (excluding Chicago), far northwest Indiana and far northeastern Missouri.
The watch is in effect until 11 p.m. CDT and calls for a couple of intense tornadoes (EF2+), hail the size of large apples and gusts up to 75 mph.
Peoria, Illinois, is one of the larger cities in the tornado watch.
(04:56 p.m. EDT) What Is A Level 4 Severe Risk?
From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford:
All of the headlines about this severe weather threat reference that it'slevel 4 of 5, but just what exactly does this mean?
The Storm Prediction Center has a sort of criterion that they use for each level.
A level 4, also called a moderate risk, means widespread severe weather with several tornadoes and/or numerous severe thunderstorms is likely.
This risk is uncommon, only issued an average of 11 to 12 days a year since 2019.
A level 4 of 5 threat is used when supercells are capable of producing strong tornadoes or long-lived squall lines that are expected to produce damaging winds.
(04:30 p.m. EDT) First Tornado Watch of the Night Issued For Central Texas
From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford:
A tornado watch has been issued for part of central Texas until 10 p.m. CDT.
The main threats are a couple of intense tornadoes (EF2+), scattered wind gusts over 80 mph and hail potentially the size of softballs (4 inches in diameter).
Cities included in the watch are San Angelo and Abilene.