The National Weather Service issued a warning about funnel clouds that could develop Friday afternoon as isolated thunderstorms are expected in northern Illinois.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Special Weather Statement around 12:30 p.m. Friday for the majority of the Chicago area, including Lake and McHenry counties.
There will be a period of scattered showers and storms mainly during Friday afternoon before drier weather prevails over the weekend, the NWS said.
“Atmospheric conditions are favorable for the development of skinny funnel clouds,” the warning said.
These funnel clouds normally only protrude a few hundred feet downward from the parent cloud, rotate or spin like a top, and last a few minutes before dissipating, the NWS said.
These types of funnel clouds rarely touch the ground and typically do not pose any sort of hazard.
On rare occasions, these funnels can briefly touch the ground and produce very minimal, if any, damage, the NWS said.
“The atmospheric conditions that these funnel clouds develop in do not support strong, damaging tornadoes,” the statement said.
The NWS said they will continue to closely monitor the situation. They recommend residents move indoors if threatening weather approaches.
Shower and storm chances will return late Sunday into Monday. Above normal temperatures will continue through the weekend and into the start of next week.