A severe thunderstorm watch was issued Friday for much of the Chicago area as the Memorial Day weekend was about to begin.
All of northern Illinois was placed under a severe thunderstorm watch until 1 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
The watch comes after the Chicago area was placed at a “slight” risk of severe weather on Friday, with the system’s arrival time threatening to disrupt travel through airports and roadways.
According to the Storm Prediction Center, this “slight” risk covers the entire Chicago area and northwest Indiana, with all kinds of severe weather threats possible Friday.
Forecasts showed Memorial Day weekend expected to start stormy, with multiple chances of rain and storms, some of which could become severe.
Despite Friday morning’s watch, the National Weather Service said an even higher risk of severe weather was expected Friday afternoon and evening.
Forecast modeling from the NBC 5 Storm Team shows the cold front quickly approaching the Chicago area Friday afternoon, just when many residents will be traveling for the long holiday weekend.
During this time, storms can reach extreme levels according to forecast models, bringing damaging winds and hail. According to the SPC, low-level shear in the atmosphere could produce conditions that could lead to brief tornadoes along the Wisconsin-Illinois state line, although the threat of tornado development will exist throughout the region.
Further south, damaging wind gusts are also possible, threatening to disrupt traffic on the region’s highways, especially for large vehicles.
Thunderstorms could also impact area airports, as ground stops could either hold planes at their departure points or prevent flights from leaving O’Hare and Midway in the mid to late afternoon. noon.
Another round of showers and thunderstorms could arrive in the evening, although they will likely be more scattered, forecast models show.
Once the front passes, temperatures are expected to cool, with highs in the 70s Saturday under partly to mostly sunny skies. Sunday we will see another chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms, with this system persisting through Monday morning.
Highs are expected to settle into the 70s both days, with pleasant conditions expected once the rapid-hit system passes.
You can follow all the latest developments, live radar and more on the NBC Chicago app, as well as with the NBC 5 Storm team on TV and on our 24/7 streaming service.
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