Tornadoes Possible, Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued

ILLINOIS — A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for several counties in northern Illinois until 9 p.m. Saturday. Counties under the watch include: Boone, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Will and Winnebago. The National Weather Service said there is a significant thunderstorm risk, as well as an elevated hail risk up to golf ball size, elevated damaging wind risk up to 70 mph, limited tornado risk and limited flooding risk.

The NWS said storms will develop across the area during the early to mid-afternoon hours ahead of a cold front. These storms have the potential to become strong to severe. The threats for the storms include large hail and damaging winds.

The tornado threat is low, but can't be ruled out, especially near I-90, the NWS said.

The NWS said storms may be slow-moving and could produce locally heavy rainfall. Since the ground is already saturated, this could lead to localized instances of flash flooding.