Torrential Downpours, Hail, Lightning: Timing Of IL Storms

ILLINOIS — Area residents who had hoped to see the return of summer-like weather continue are likely soon to be disappointed as a major cooldown is on the horizon, but not before a threat of severe weather moves through the greater Chicago area first.

Friday night could bring scattered thunderstorms with torrential downpours, hail and lightning. Storms are likely to move into the Chicago area between 7 p.m. and midnight.

Forecasters said waves of rain and thunderstorms are expected to sweep through the area Friday afternoon and evening. There is a 50 percent chance of rain Friday evening before the chances of rain and more thunderstorms increase to 70 percent for the overnight hours, forecasters predict.

The National Weather Service said the scattered overnight storms are likely to continue through much of the night. Some storms could be powerful enough to produce torrential downpours, forecasters predicted.

Several storms are likely to include small hail, with some instances of large hail possible along with temporarily gusty winds, the weather service said.

Stormy weather is possible in Illinois as unsettled and severe weather hits other states. A "large and extremely dangerous" tornado also touched down in Michigan on Friday afternoon.

Weather conditions will be much cooler on Saturday, when most residents will see temperatures only in the 60s and in the upper 50s near the Lake Michigan lakefront, forecasters said

Showers and embedded storms are expected to remain throughout the day Saturday before the rain eventually comes to an end Saturday night. The sunshine should return Sunday, but temperatures will only be in the low-to-mid-60s and will remain cool to start the workweek, with air remaining cool along the lakefront.