'Seek Shelter Indoors' As Sirens Activated Amid Tornado Warnings: NCDS

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — The Northwest Central Dispatch System announced Tuesday night it has activated the severe weather sirens for all 12 communities it serves based on tornado warnings for the area.

"Seek shelter indoors," NCDS said in a 7:31 p.m. social media alert.

NCDS serves the following communties:

• Arlington Heights Police and Fire
• Barrington Police and Fire
• Buffalo Grove Police and Fire
• Elk Grove Village Police and Fire
• Hoffman Estates Police and Fire
• Inverness Police
• Mount Prospect Police and Fire
• Palatine Police and Fire
• Prospect Heights Police
• Rolling Meadows Police and Fire
• Schaumburg Police and Fire
• Streamwood Police and Fire

After temperatures reached near record numbers Tuesday, a powerful cold front has blown into the area. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures will drop 20 to 30 degrees over the course of just an hour, with strong northwest winds gusting to 35 to 45 mph.

NWS also said scattered thunderstorms are possible Tuesday night, which could produce severe weather, including destructive hail and a "tornado or two." NWS called large hail, possibly up to 2 inches in diameter, the primary threat.

A brief period of gusts over 50 mph are possible (30 to 40 percent) immediately behind the front. Those winds could be "damaging" and residents should secure loose objects outdoors.

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