Chicago, Illinois – The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Chicago area, warning of potential large hail, strong winds, and even isolated tornadoes. The watch is set to remain in effect until 8 p.m. Central time Thursday, covering a significant portion of northeastern Illinois and all of northern Indiana.
According to NWS officials, a severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for southeastern Lake County, southern Porter County, and northern Jasper County, with a storm near Hebron moving eastwards at 35 miles per hour, bringing wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour and quarter-sized hail.
Counties in Illinois such as Cook, LaSalle, Kendall, Grundy, Will, and Kankakee are among those impacted by the watch. In Indiana, Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, and Jasper counties are included in the watch, while DeKalb, Kane, and DuPage counties have had their watch canceled.
Earlier warnings for parts of Illinois and Indiana have expired, but the threat of severe weather persists, with potential wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour and hail as large as two and a half inches in diameter. In addition, the possibility of isolated tornadoes looms over the region.
Officials have outlined the timing of the storms, with the initial burst expected to occur north of Interstate 80 between 3 and 7 p.m., with the potential for storms to move south of that line earlier. As the evening progresses, storms are forecasted to become more widespread, affecting central Illinois and parts of Indiana.
Beyond the immediate threats of hail, wind, and tornadoes, heavy rainfall raises concerns of flash flooding, particularly in areas situated south of Interstate 80. Residents are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions as the severe weather unfolds.