ST. LOUIS (Heartland Newsfeed) — The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center has activated Tornado Watch 512 at 12:34 PM Sunday Afternoon for the following counties in Illinois: Bond, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Jersey, Lawrence, Macon, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Moultrie, Piatt, Randolph, Richland, Shelby, St. Clair, Vermilion and Washington.

Thunderstorms are forecast to develop by early afternoon roughly along the I-44 corridor in Missouri heading southeast along I-70 corridor in Illinois. Storms will likely quickly intensify and become strong to severe. Large hail will be the primary threat, along with isolated tornadoes through late afternoon. Wind gusts of at least 60mph will be more of a threat by early evening.