'Torrential' Rain, Hail Possible As Steamy Temps Continue: IL Weather

ILLINOIS — As the heat wave that has kept temperatures in the 90s for the past few days continues into the weekend, forecasters are warning that potentially severe storms and torrential rain may be headed for the greater Chicago area.

The National Weather Service said that the storms and heavy rains could arrive in the region in the overnight hours of Friday and into early Saturday morning. With temperatures expected to remain in the 90s through Saturday – when the high temperature is expected to reach 94 degrees – forecasters are predicting the severe weather will arrive around 10 p.m. on Friday and continue through about 5 a.m. on Saturday.

Forecasters are calling for lightning strikes, damaging winds that are capable of downing tree limbs, possible hail, and “torrential” rain that may cause flooding on roads and in parks, the National Weather Service said.

AccuWeather forecasters are predicting an 80 percent of rain overnight, with “strong thunderstorms” in the overnight hours. Forecasters are calling for at least two hours of rain that could produce less than a half inch of precipitation, but that could be severe at times.

On Saturday, there is another chance of rain, especially at night, with temperatures during the day reaching into the low-to-mid 90s. However, with the heat index, it will feel like 99 degrees, AccuWeather forecasters said.

There is another slight chance of rain on Sunday, when temperatures are expected to remain in the mid-80s before cooler air moves into the region to start the work week.