Chris Yates

Peoria

Chief Meteorologist at WMBD-TV (Peoria, IL)

Chief Meteorologist at WYZZ-TV (Peoria, IL)

WMBD/WYZZ Chief Meteorologist Chris Yates is proud to be Your Local Weather Authority for Central Illinois.

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Articles

Are derechos looming on the horizon?

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Chris Yates

Peoria, Ill. (WMBD) — There’s been a lot of chatter on social media about increasing chances for Derechos in the next few weeks across portions of the Midwest. These posts are lacking a bit of context so I hope to provide some of that here. What is a Derecho? A Derecho (deh-REY-cho) is a widespread, long-lived wind storm that is associated with a rapidly moving band of showers or thunderstorms.
Another good soaker for Central Illinois

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Chris Yates

Peoria, Ill. (WMBD) — A slow moving cold front has brought another good soaking rain to Central Illinois. After a dry May, the month of June is off to a welcomed wet start. Most of the areas received somewhere between one and three inches of rain with some of the highest totals coming from Tazewell, Fulton, Mason, and Woodford Counties. We did receive a few reports over 4 inches in a few spots, but those reports were significantly higher than nearby observations and radar estimates.
Severe T-Storm Watch issued for portions of Central Illinois through 11 pm Tuesday

3 weeks ago | centralillinoisproud.com | Chris Yates

Peoria, Ill. (WMBD) – The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of Central Illinois, mainly west of the Illinois River. Key TakeawaysStrong to severe storms possible Tuesday eveningDamaging wind gusts the primary threat, brief tornado possiblePeriods of rain showers through Wednesday morningAdditional rounds of rain Thursday night through FridayA line of thunderstorms will move out of Missouri and into Illinois this evening.
Active pattern: Strong storms and much needed rain headed to Central Illinois

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Chris Yates

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The month of May ended up near average temperature wise but finished more than two inches below average in precipitation.
Active pattern: Strong storms and much needed rain headed to Central Illinois

3 weeks ago | centralillinoisproud.com | Chris Yates

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The month of May ended up near average temperature wise but finished more than two inches below average in precipitation.
Shootin’ the Breeze: Molly visits the State Farm Research & Innovation lab

4 weeks ago | centralillinoisproud.com | Chris Yates

by: Chris Yates Posted: May 29, 2025 / 07:41 PM CDT Updated: May 29, 2025 / 07:41 PM CDT Peoria, Ill. (WMBD) — On this week’s episode of Shootin’ the Breeze, Molly heads to Bloomington to visit the State Farm Research & Innovation Lab, she tells us about the experience.
NWS upgrade to send Central Illinois weather radios offline June 3rd-5th

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Chris Yates

Peoria, Ill. (WMBD) — The National Weather Service office in Lincoln will be conducting an update of its Advanced Weather Information Processing System (AWIPS) from approximately 7 am on June 3 through the afternoon of June 5. Due to this scheduled upgrade, all NOAA Weather Radio stations operated by the Lincoln NWS will be off air during this time.
NWS upgrade to send Central Illinois weather radios offline June 3rd-5th

1 month ago | centralillinoisproud.com | Chris Yates

Peoria, Ill. (WMBD) — The National Weather Service office in Lincoln will be conducting an update of its Advanced Weather Information Processing System (AWIPS) from approximately 7 am on June 3 through the afternoon of June 5. Due to this scheduled upgrade, all NOAA Weather Radio stations operated by the Lincoln NWS will be off air during this time.
Conditional risk for severe storms Thursday and Friday

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Chris Yates

Peoria, Ill (WMBD) — Central Illinois will experience near record warmth on Thursday but a cold front will bring a highly conditional risk of severe weather to the area. More widespread showers and storms will be possible on Friday, and once again, some storms could be severe.
What is a cap?

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Chris Yates

Peoria, Ill. (WMBD) — An atmospheric capping inversion, or cap for short, is a term we often hear about during severe weather season. The presence of a cap can lead to an explosive severe weather event or prevent one from developing all together. So what is a cap? A cap is simply a layer of warm air aloft. It prevents surface-based air parcels from being able to rise freely through the atmosphere. It’s basically a lid on a boiling pot of water preventing steam from rising into the air.