Severe Storms, 60 MPH Winds May Hit Chicago Area

ACROSS ILLINOIS — The Chicago area may be hit by thunderstorms and wind gusts of up to 60 mph starting Tuesday afternoon and lasting through the night.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to start around 2 p.m. and last through 7 p.m. Rain will pick up in the evening and last into the morning, with a threat of localized flash flooding.

All storms will produce lightning strikes and downpours, and the strongest storms could bring wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph, which may down small branches and move light objects, as well as isolated hail up to 1 inch in diameter.

On Wednesday, early morning storms are expected to give way to a warm and breezy afternoon. Temperatures should hover in the high 70s and low 80s before more storms hit at nighttime, according to NWS.

By Thursday and Friday, the forecast (at last!) calls for clear blue skies. Expect a high of 79 Thursday and a high of 76 Friday, with warm winds anticipated to breeze us into the weekend.