After a morning of severe thunderstorm warnings that grounded flights at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, severe weather was in the afternoon forecast with risks of hail, heavy rain, strong winds and the possibility of tornadoes.
“There will be several windows of showers and thunderstorms today,” the National Weather Service said in a message posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
LIVE RADAR: Torrential rain, thunderstorms threaten Chicago area
The NWS added that the storms could favor areas near the Wisconsin state line, as well as “the entire Chicago metropolitan area.”
“Some storms could produce high winds, hail and a tornado, particularly this afternoon,” the NWS warned.
NBC 5 meteorologist Alicia Roman said the storm is expected to begin moving in late Monday afternoon, with storm risks lingering through late evening.
The entire Chicago area will then be under a “slight” risk of severe weather, rated at level two out of five on the Storm Prediction Center’s severe weather scale, according to the NWS.
During the storm, “all the weather hazards will be present,” Roman said, with the potential for heavy rain, high and damaging winds up to 60 miles per hour, quarter-sized hail and localized flash flooding.
In addition, the possibility of a tornado cannot be ruled out, Roman said.
“It’s a low threat, but it’s not zero this afternoon and tonight,” Roman said of the tornado risk.
Storms and heavy rain could last through the night and persist into Tuesday morning, Roman said, particularly in northern counties.
“Thunderstorms could develop in extreme northern Illinois early Tuesday morning and in northwestern Indiana Tuesday afternoon,” a NWS alert said. “Heavy rain would accompany developing thunderstorms, which could lead to localized flooding.”
Swimming conditions will also be hazardous at Lake Michigan beaches in Illinois and Indiana on Tuesday, with high swimming hazards and large waves, according to the NWS.
Temperatures will remain warm and humid Monday, Roman said, with highs between 80 and 85 degrees, but dew points even higher.
“High temperatures of 27 to 32 degrees, combined with dew points around 21 degrees, will produce heat index values of 38 to 40 degrees this afternoon,” the NWS said. “Take extra precautions if working or spending time outdoors.”
By Tuesday, temperatures are expected to drop to 70 degrees, Roman said.
