SEL3
   
   URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
   SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH NUMBER 153
   NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
   500 AM CDT FRI MAY 7 2004
   
   THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A
   SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF 
   
          CENTRAL ILLINOIS
   
   EFFECTIVE THIS FRIDAY MORNING FROM 500 AM UNTIL 900 AM CDT.
   
   HAIL TO 2 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 80
   MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS.
   
   THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH AREA IS ALONG AND 40 STATUTE MILES
   NORTH AND SOUTH OF A LINE FROM 30 MILES NORTHWEST OF PEORIA
   ILLINOIS TO 60 MILES EAST SOUTHEAST OF MARSEILLES ILLINOIS.
   
   REMEMBER...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE
   FAVORABLE FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA.
   PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING
   WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE
   WARNINGS. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN AND OCCASIONALLY DO PRODUCE
   TORNADOES.
   
   DISCUSSION...CLUSTER OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER WEST CENTRAL IL
   MAY MAINTAIN INTENSITY FOR SEVERAL MORE HOURS AS THEY TRACK
   EASTWARD.  DESPITE RATHER STABLE CONDITIONS AT THE SURFACE...STORMS
   HAVE ORGANIZED SIGNIFICANTLY AND MAY CONTINUE TO PRODUCE DAMAGING
   WINDS. LARGE HAIL WILL ALSO BE LIKELY IN STRONGER CELLS.
   
   AVIATION...A FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT
   TO 2 INCHES. EXTREME TURBULENCE AND SURFACE WIND GUSTS TO 70
   KNOTS. A FEW CUMULONIMBI WITH MAXIMUM TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM
   MOTION VECTOR 27035.
   
   
   ...HART