The weather service has issued a tornado watch for Lake and McHenry counties as they warn about severe thunderstorms in the Chicagoland area Friday evening.
The National Weather Service (NWS) on Friday issued a tornado watch for much of northeastern Illinois, including Lake and McHenry counties.
The Boone, DuPage, Kane, Cook, Grundy, DeKalb, LaSalle, Kendall, Lee, Will, Winnebago and Ogle counties are also included in the watch, which is set to be in effect until 11 p.m.
A hazardous weather outlook is also in effect for the area due to the “significant thunderstorm risk.”
Damaging winds up to 70 mph was rated at a level of three out of five and large hail up to golf ball size was rated at a level of one out of five.
The outlook said thunderstorms are likely in the evening and some of the storms will be severe, with damaging winds being the primary threat.
“There is a risk for hail and even some brief tornadoes as well,” the outlook said.
The NWS said thunderstorms will be capable of producing torrential rainfall rates in excess of two inches per hour, which could result in localized flash flooding.
Thunderstorms are possible Saturday afternoon and evening, especially south and east of Interstate 55.
“If thunderstorms occur, then there will be a risk of isolated strong to possibly damaging winds gusts as well as locally heavy rainfall,” the outlook said.
Residents are urged to have multiple ways to get weather warnings and take shelter if a warning is issued.