Alert: Midwest Thunderstorms May Cause Heavy Rain, Strong Winds in Chicago-Area, Indiana
The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook over central and northern Illinois and parts of northwest Indiana Tuesday morning that may last over a few days, producing strong to severe thunderstorms and possibly isolated tornadoes.
Detailed weather hazards expected in Illinois include: thunderstorms, which could produce damaging winds in excess of 60 mph; hail the size of quarters; isolated tornadoes; lightning; and heavy rain.
Storms were predicted to possibly produce winds up to 40 mph and heavy downpour throughout the Chicago area this morning, clearing out briefly, before additional thunderstorms developed tonight.
Strong to severe thunderstorms may develop across northern Illinois later toward the evening, before dropping southeast across the outlook area.
From Wednesday through Monday, thunderstorms are likely to come back again with a slight risk that some storms would be severe.
Forecasters state that the greatest threat to these storms would be damaging winds, large hail, and heavy rainfall, particularly over east central Illinois and Northwest Indiana.
Affected counties include: Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Lake Illinois, Ogle, Lee, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, Cook, LaSalle, Kendall, Grundy, Will, Kankakee, Livingston, Iroquois, and Ford. Lake Indiana, Porter, Newton, Jasper and Benton counties in northwest Indiana.
Current conditions in Chicago report winds speeds of 17 mph, humidity at 91 percent, and rain fog and mist. It is 67 degrees Fahrenheit.
No injuries and damages have been reported as of yet.