Tornado Watch In Effect For Chicago Area; Destructive Wind, Hail Possible

ILLINOIS — A tornado watch is in effect for the Chicago area until 10 p.m. Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

The watch includes Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties.

Severe storms are possible Thursday afternoon and evening as scattered severe supercells could develop, according to the National Weather Service.

"Any storms that develop will be capable of producing destructive winds and hail," the weather service said. "A tornado threat may develop as well with the most intense storms."

Severe weather could hit between 5 and 10 p.m. including destructive hail capable of denting cars and siding, tornadoes and high winds capable of downing tree limbs.

"Scattered thunderstorms are expected across northern Illinois and extreme northwest Indiana late this afternoon and early this evening," the National Weather Service said. "Some storms will likely be severe with potentially destructive hail, damaging winds, and some tornado threat as well."

The timing for storms would be between 3 and 10 p.m. Thursday. The severe weather threats include destructive hail, destructive wind and tornadoes.

The weather service said the potential exists for baseball-sized or larger hail, as well as winds in excess of 80 mph.

If you are caught in a hail storm while driving, the weather service advises the following:

• Pull off the road if possible and point your vehicle into the wind. The windshield is the strongest window.
• Don't park under overpasses. This can block the flow of traffic, including for emergency vehicles.
• Cover yourself in case the windows shatter. You can use a jacket or even a car floor mat.

There also exists a severe storm potential on Friday. Similar to Thursday, some areas may not see any storms, the weather service said. The primary time for these storms would be between 4 and 10 p.m. on Friday.

Residents are advised to have multiple ways to get severe weather alerts as severe storms and even tornadoes could hit Thursday evening.

Fire Weather Threat

The weather service has also issued a fire weather watch from Friday morning through Friday evening for Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Lake IL, Ogle, Lee, De Kalb, Kane, DuPage, Cook, La Salle, Kendall, Grundy, Will, Kankakee, Livingston, Iroquois and Ford counties.

"Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly," the weather service said. "Outdoor burning is not recommended."

Strong southwest wind gusts up to 45 mph, plus temperatures in the mid-upper 80s and very dry conditions, increase the fire risk.

Here's a look at the day-by-day forecast:

• Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Thursday night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 62. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
• Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Sunny, with a high near 88. Windy, with a south southwest wind 10 to 20 mph increasing to 20 to 30 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph.
• Friday night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
• Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.