Tornadoes, Damaging Winds Possible As Severe Weather Moves Into IL

ILLINOIS — The Chicago area is bracing for strong winds capable of taking down trees and possible severe storms, expected late Friday.

The National Weather Service Chicago has issued a wind advisory and a high wind watch for parts of the area. The wind advisory goes into effect at 4 p.m. Friday through 4 a.m. Saturday; and a high wind watch is in effect from Saturday morning through Saturday afternoon.

A fire weather watch is also in effect until 9 p.m. for Cook and Lake counties. "Due to dry conditions and high winds, recreational outdoor fires and open burns cannot take place today," a Lake County police department warned residents.

The weather service said the wind advisory will bring winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph. The high wind watch will bring winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 60.

The winds could blow down trees and power lines, and widespread outages are possible. There is also a high brush fire danger due to the winds and dry conditions, the weather service said.

Friday's daytime weather will be extremely mild, with a high of 77 degrees. The warmth will continue to Saturday, which has a high of 70, before cooler temperatures return briefly on Sunday for a high of 45, according to the current forecast.

But in addition to high winds, there is a severe weather threat after dark on Friday.

"Damaging winds strong enough to bring down trees are the main threat, though a tornado or two may occur as well," the weather service said on its Facebook.

Storms will peak between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. Friday into Saturday, and will last around an hour at any given location, the NWS said. The weather service has given a level 4 out of 5 damaging wind risk, a level 2 out of 5 tornado risk, and a level 2 of 5 large hail risk.