The National Weather Service on Wednesday issued a tornado watch for southern and central Wisconsin, effective until 6 p.m. Central Daylight Time, as a mesoscale convective vortex moving out of northern Iowa increases low-level wind shear across the region. Meteorologists said the small, rotating disturbance could enhance the potential for a few isolated tornadoes as it tracks toward the Illinois–Wisconsin border through the afternoon. Separately, a severe thunderstorm watch covering parts of northern Illinois and north-western Indiana remains in effect until 8 p.m. CDT. Forecasters warned that the same storm complex could produce damaging straight-line winds, large hail and brief tornadoes as it pivots eastward. The latest alert follows a series of watches issued in the Midwest over the past week, underscoring an active mid-July severe-weather pattern. Residents were urged to monitor updated forecasts and be ready to seek shelter if warnings are issued.