Tornadoes, Hail Possible As Severe Weather Hits Illinois: Here's When To Expect Storms

ILLINOIS — Scattered strong to severe storms are possible Wednesday afternoon and evening, in part fueled by the heat index values nearing 100 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

With the incoming weather, a severe thunderstorm watch has been issued until 8 p.m. Wednesday for Boone, Bureau, Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, La Salle, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Putnam, Stephenson, Whiteside, Will and Winnebago counties.

The strongest storms will be capable of producing damaging winds, damaging hails and a brief tornado, the weather service said. Torrential downpours are also possible.

Storms will be possible between 1 and 8 p.m. For most of the Chicago metro area, storms are most likely between 3 and 7 p.m.

Much cooler and less humid air will move into the area on Thursday, and highs will be quite cooler at 80 degrees, according to the forecast. Rain chances and humidity return by Saturday, and there is a limited to elevated thunderstorm risk through Tuesday.

Here is a look at the more detailed daily forecast, per the weather service:

WEDNESDAY: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 100. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. West southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

THURSDAY: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. North northwest wind around 10 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. East wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 10 mph.

FRIDAY NIGHT: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.