ILLINOIS — A tornado watch has been issued for the south suburbs, as waves of showers and thunderstorms are expected through 5 p.m. across the Chicago area on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
A tornado watch is in effect until 7 p.m. Wednesday for Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, Kankakee, Livingston and Will counties.
The tornado watch area has main threats of a few tornadoes, scattered hail up to ping-pong size, and winds up to 75 mph.
Elsewhere, the weather service said some of the storms may be severe, especially along and southeast of Interstate 55. Damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes are possible, as well as locally heavy rainfall.
The weather service has already issued a flood watch, which is in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday for Cook, DuPage, Will, Grundy, Kankakee and Kendall counties.
"Given the very moist air mass in place, the most intense thunderstorms will be capable of producing up to 2 inches of rain in an hour or less," the weather service said.
Some places in the watch area have already received heavy rain over the past 24 hours, which will increase the threat of flash flooding.
Also: here's a look at the daily forecast, per the weather service:
WEDNESDAY: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Temperature falling to around 70 by 5pm. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m., then a slight chance of showers after 4 a.m. Low around 63. West northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
THURSDAY: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
THURSDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
FRIDAY: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. South southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear, with a low around 73.
SATURDAY: Sunny, with a high near 94.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Clear, with a low around 76.
SUNDAY: Sunny and hot, with a high near 96.
SUNDAY NIGHT: Clear, with a low around 75.
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