CHICAGO — Severe storms are expected to hit Chicago Monday afternoon, with damaging winds expected and a brief tornado possible.
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for Chicago until 4 p.m., and people are urged to check for updates on the storms.
Storms have already kicked off in western Illinois, and they’re moving east, said Scott Lincoln, a National Weather Service meteorologist. The first storms are expected to hit Chicago as early as 1 p.m., but that could vary — and more storms will be possible throughout the afternoon, he said.
Some parts of the city could get 1-2 inches of rain or more if they’re hit by strong storms, while other parts will see less than 1 inch, Lincoln said. In general, the Chicago area will get .5 to 1 inch of rain, he said.
“Summertime storms are very variable with rain amounts,” Lincoln said. “All depends who lucks out and who ends up getting a storm.”
The storms that are coming from the east have seen hail, so Chicago could get hail, Lincoln said.
But the highest threat for Chicago is damaging winds, Lincoln said: There could be wind gusts up to 70-80 mph in the strongest storms.
There’s also a limited threat for a “brief tornado,” Lincoln said.
“Not a zero threat; it is a possibility,” Lincoln said.
The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook that warns the heavy rain could result in flooding.
Support Local News!
Subscribe to Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods. Already subscribe? Click here to gift a subscription, or you can support Block Club with a tax-deductible donation.
Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast:
