A thunderstorm producing damaging winds rolls through the Woodstock area. | LMCS File Photo

The National Weather Service says there is potential for thunderstorms and wind gusts up to 45 mph in the northern Illinois area later today amid unseasonably warm weather.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a hazardous weather outlook early Thursday morning.

The outlook covers Lake, McHenry, Boone, Cook, Will, Winnebago, Ogle, Lee, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, LaSalle, Kendall, Grundy, Kankakee, Livington, Iroquois and Ford counties.

The outlook said an isolated strong to severe thunderstorm or two may develop late Thursday afternoon and early evening.

The chance for storms is primarily along and northwest of Interstate 55, the NWS said.

NOAA’s National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center reported a 2% chance of tornados for the entire Chicagoland area for Thursday.

The NWS also issued a special weather statement to warn about strong southerly winds.

The passing weather system will cause winds to gust as high as 45 mph at times throughout the day.

[Suggested Article]  14 years in prison for Chicago man who helped steal over $1.2 million worth of cars from McHenry County dealerships

The strong winds may lead to difficulty driving on west-to-east-oriented roadways in open and rural areas, the NWS said.

The winds may also blow around lawn decorations and cause small tree branches to fall. Winds will begin to subside after sunset.

The storms come amid unseasonably warm weather, which will continue through Friday.