Severe thunderstorms are possible in the Chicago and surrounding northern Illinois area Saturday afternoon into the evening, according to the National Weather Service. | Graphic via NWS

The National Weather Service says potentially severe thunderstorms could bring tornadoes, hail, heavy winds and rain in northern Illinois Saturday evening.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a hazardous weather outlook Saturday morning for northern Illinois, including Lake and McHenry counties.

Thunderstorms are expected to develop across northwest Illinois to the Interstate 39 corridor around 3 p.m. and move eastward into northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana through early evening.

Severe weather is possible with a threat of damaging hail, severe winds and a “few tornadoes,” the NWS said in the alert.

“The atmosphere is favorable for some of these to become severe. There remains some uncertainty on the coverage and duration of the severe threat,” the NWS said.

Hail up to a half dollar size and winds up 60 mph are possible. Some localized flooding in poor drainage areas is also possible.

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Timing for the storms in the Lake and McHenry County area is projected to be 4-8 p.m., the NWS reported.

“Ensure you have a means to receive a warning today, and if one is issued, take prompt action to go to shelter!” the NWS said.

Officials recommend people move indoors if they hear thunder and have multiple ways to get weather warnings.