Severe Storms, Damaging Winds, Hail Could Hit IL During Extreme Heat

ILLINOIS — Thunderstorms are possible across the Chicago area starting late Tuesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for counties in far northern Illinois, including Boone, Lake, Winnebago and McHenry, until 4 p.m. Tuesday.

"We're watching storms over southern Wisconsin, which could develop farther south into far northern Illinois. If they do, then conditions are favorable for them to at least occasionally become severe this afternoon," the weather service said.

Areas more to the south may see storms later Tuesday, into the evening. The weather service said some of these storms could be strong to severe, with damaging wind and hail as the primary hazards.

The Chicago area also remains under an excessive heat warning through 10 p.m. Tuesday. Heat index values of 110 to 115 are expected. The showers and storms will bring relief from the heat on Tuesday night, the weather service said.

As of noon Tuesday, the heat index was 110 at O'Hare, and 112 in Rockford, according to the weather service.

Dew points across the region are in the mid-70s to lower 80s, which is "about as humid as it ever gets around here," the weather service said on Facebook.