Chicago Faces Marginal Risk of Severe Weather with Thunderstorms, Hail, Damaging Winds at 60 MPH

On Thursday, the Chicago area will continue to experience an active weather pattern that poses a marginal risk of severe weather, including multiple rounds of thunderstorms, large hail, and potentially damaging winds of up to 60 mph.

And while some people may have been awakened early on Thursday morning by thunderclaps, lightning flashes, and heavy rain, forecast models indicate that a second, stronger storm system with the potential for damaging winds, large hail, and other hazards is set to move in Chicago by Thursday afternoon and evening.

Marginal Risk of Severe Weather in Chicago

The entire Chicago metropolitan area as well as northwest Indiana are currently under a "marginal" risk of severe storms, according to the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center.

According to the NWS, Thursday's storms will be classified as "marginal" on the storm scale, but even so, the main risks will be heavy rain and localized flooding, gusty and damaging winds of up to 60 mph, thunderstorms, and large hail.

It’ll be windy & warm today w/sctd shower & t-storms at times. There’ll be many dry hours, but a couple sudden storms, possibly become severe later this afternoon. Severe threat will depend on if atmosphere can heat up between storms, if not then very little severe threat. #ilwx pic.twitter.com/yDXq5ag1lG
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) April 20, 2023

A tornado is also a possibility, even though it poses a low risk.

A first line of weak storms with lightning, thunder, and rain started moving through the Chicago area around 5 AM, according to forecast models. However, the majority of the sporadic showers and thunderstorms are predicted to form later in the day.

The next round is predicted to begin to form to the west around 4 PM, with storms and possibly severe weather expected to hit the Chicago area by 6 PM. The system is anticipated to cross Kankakee and enter Northwest Indiana by 7 PM.

Some sporadic showers and storms are possible for Thursday evening, but they should pass before midnight, the NBC 5 Storm Team says.

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Thunderstorms, Large Hail, Damaging Winds,

Forecast models indicate that large hail up to the size of a half-dollar and damaging winds of up to 60 mph pose the biggest threats from Thursday's system. Along with a "non-zero" tornado threat, there is also the possibility of flooding.

Furthermore, warm conditions are anticipated throughout the region, with highs in the 70s, even near the lakefront. However, there is a possibility that cloud cover will prevent severe weather.

According to the National Weather Service, there would be a much lower chance of any severe weather this afternoon if cloud cover, together with showers, kept temperatures lower than expected. However, if there is a little sunshine this afternoon and the temperature can rise, then the likelihood of severe thunderstorms developing towards the end of the afternoon and into the first minutes this evening is likely to increase.

All weather factors are in play if those conditions do materialize, according to the NBC 5 Storm Team.

Cold Front and Lows

Although a high of 77 degrees is predicted for Thursday, a cold front moving through Thursday night will bring those temperatures back down.

Tonight will get a 40% chance of rain with lows of 46 degrees. Friday highs will be right before the evening starts at 62 degrees. The temperature will drop to lows of 41 degrees overnight, The Weather Channel reports.