50 MPH Winds Possible, Decreased Tornado Threat: IL Storm Timeline

CHICAGO — While sunshine and mild temperatures have arrived, for the time being, the threat of severe storms remains on the horizon for Wednesday afternoon and evening although the forecast may not be as potentially destructive as originally believed.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service said that the combination of warmer temperatures on Wednesday and an approaching cold front may be enough to bring the threat of tornadoes to some parts of the southern parts of the Chicago area.

However, while forecasters are still calling for possible thunderstorms late Wednesday afternoon into the evening hours, the chance of severe weather may be more isolated to areas south of Interstate 80, forecasters said.

Most of the severe weather and the chance for hail and high winds that could down trees and power lines and possibly produce isolated tornadic activity is expected to remain south of Chicago, forecasters said. After temperatures reach 70 degrees on Wednesday, the chance of thunderstorms will arrive on Wednesday evening around 7 p.m.and will stick around for much of the evening before the storm front moves out.

Some areas in southern suburban areas could see the brunt of the hail and storms that accompany the unsettled weather pattern that is expected to move in and out of the region during the evening hours on Wednesday.

An approaching cold front will bring drier weather and sunshine for Thursday, forecasters said, but temperatures will drop by 20 degrees, and high temperatures on Thursday are only expected to reach the low 50s.