Storm Alert: Big Hail and Strong Winds Near Chicago

A warm front is moving across north central and northeast Illinois, bringing a mix of thunderstorm danger, powerful winds, and large hail. Officials say the risk isn’t limited to a single county; it spreads over many areas including Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Lake, Ogle, Lee, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, LaSalle, Kendall, Grundy, Kankakee, Livingston, Iroquois, Ford, and several Cook and Will counties. In Indiana the threat reaches Lake, Porter, Newton, Jasper, and Benton counties.Winds could reach 60 miles per hour, while hailstones may grow up to a quarter‑inch in diameter. The storm surge is expected to hit most of the region after 5 p. m. on Friday, with conditions potentially lingering into the evening. Nighttime pressure changes will make thunderstorms more frequent and widespread, raising the chance of flooding in places that receive heavy rain earlier in the day. At O’Hare International Airport, clouds cover most of the sky and the temperature sits at 49 degrees. South of that, Midway sees a similar cloudy pattern with a temperature of 51 degrees. Friday’s temperatures are projected to be in the low fifties, dropping to the low forties by night.