Severe Storm Warnings For Chicago Area: NWS

ILLINOIS — A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued until 2:45 p.m. Tuesday as severe weather approaches the Chicago area.

The warning is in effect for Cook, DuPage and Kane counties, including Chicago, Naperville and Aurora, and includes threats of 70 mph winds and golf ball-sized hail.

A severe storm warning is also in place for parts of Cook County, including Elgin, Waukegan and Arlington Heights until 2:30 p.m., with the potential for 70 mph winds and ping pong ball-sized hail.

National Weather Service said there is a "threat for destructive hail of up to baseball size & destructive winds of 70+ mph" through the afternoon hours Tuesday. The hail is capable of causing extensive structure, window and vehicle damage, as well as serious injuries.

Severe storm warnings for Kane, Kendall, DeKalb and McHenry counties have expired.

There will be quite a difference in temperatures on Tuesday; for areas north of Interstate 88, it will be in the 40s and 50s, for areas south of I-80, it will be in the 70s or even 80, according to the weather service.

The weather service said there is about a 40 percent chance that severe storms develop on Tuesday afternoon. If they do develop, destructive hail is possible, as well as tornadoes.

According to AccuWeather, it will be 73 degrees on Tuesday in the Joliet area. The private forecaster gave a 33 percent probability of thunderstorms during the day on Tuesday, but a 94 percent probability on Tuesday night.

Warm temperatures will continue into Wednesday, and so will the severe weather potential. The high for Wednesday is 72, and severe weather potential has increased, the weather service said.

There is a relatively higher potential for severe weather along and east of Interstate 55. Severe weather would be possible from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, with damaging winds, tornadoes and hail possible.