Severe storms capable of destructive wind gusts up to 75 mph with 2-inch hail are expected to move into the area Thursday afternoon, officials from the National Weather Service announced.
The largest storm threat is expected to move into the area between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., weather officials said.
The areas expected to get hit the hardest by the damaging storms are to the south and west of the Lake and McHenry county borders, officials said.
The strongest storms are also capable of producing localized flash flooding, weather officials said.
The storms are expected to drift out of the area between 7 p.m. Thursday and 3 a.m. Friday, weather officials said.
The five-day weather forecast calls for sun with highs in the mid-80s Friday and Saturday, then some chance of showers moving in Sunday.