Tornado Risk, Severe Storms Possible For Illinois

ILLINOIS — Scattered thunderstorms will move into the area on Thursday afternoon, and a few could be severe. The National Weather Service said there is a limited thunderstorm risk with an elevated damaging wind risk up to 60 mph, a limited hail risk up to quarter size and a limited tornado risk.

Storms are expected to develop across southern Wisconsin and northwest and north central Illinois between 2 and 5 p.m., according to the NWS. Some of these storms could be severe, and the storm threat will end from northwest to southeast across the area between 7 and 11 p.m.

The NWS said frequent lightning and strong winds are possible, but not everywhere will see storms.

The Rockford area will be hit first with storms between 3 and 7 p.m., before it moves to the Elgin, Chicago and Joliet areas between 5 and 9 p.m. The storms will then move south to Kankakee between 7 and 11 p.m.