Severe Storm Watch For Chicago Area: Damaging Winds, Large Hail

ILLINOIS — A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for most of the Chicago area as storms move into the area Tuesday afternoon and evening. According to the National Weather Service, the watch is in effect until 9 p.m. for Boone, Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Iroquois, Kendall, La Salle, Logan, McHenry, Ogle, Putnam, Vermilion, DeKalb, Kane, Kankakee, Lake, Lee, Livingston and Will counties.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Kendall, La Salle, Grundy, Will and Kankakee counties until 4 p.m., including Joliet, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Plainfield, Kankakee, Lockport, New Lenox, Homer Glen, Park Forest, Mokena, Frankfort, Channahon, Minooka, Braidwood and Wilmington. The weather service said storm hazards include 70 mph wind gusts and ping pong ball sized hail.

Gusty thunderstorms are expected across the Chicago area on Tuesday, as a cold front moves through, according to the National Weather Service. The storms have caused several warnings throughout the day across the Chicago area, and a tornado warning was even issued for the Joliet area on Tuesday afternoon.

The storms could have damaging winds and hail, and are most likely between 12 and 2 p.m. for the Rockford area, 1 to 3 p.m. for Waukegan, Elgin and Aurora; and after 2:30 p.m. for the south suburbs, the weather service said. There is also a limited tornado risk with these storms, according to the weather service.

Gusty winds up to 40 mph are also expected outside of the storms Tuesday afternoon, before the cold front moves through in the afternoon and early evening. These winds will be strongest between noon and 6 p.m.

The weather service said to secure loose objects like potted plants, patio furniture and garbage bins, which may move around. High profile vehicles should also be cautious in exposed area and on bridges or overpasses.