Tornado Watch issued for parts of Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin

The Storm Prediction Center issued a Tornado Watch for a multi-state region of the Upper Midwest at 17:40 UTC (12:40 CDT) on April 17, 2026, citing a highly unstable environment ahead of an advancing cold front. Severe storms are expected to develop through the afternoon and evening, with tornadoes, large hail, and strong wind gusts as primary hazards. Source