After several days of above average temperatures and sunny skies, the Chicago area could face a threat of severe weather in the coming days.
According to the latest guidance from the Storm Prediction Center, virtually the entire Chicago area is at a “slight” risk of severe weather on Tuesday, the second level of the five-tier forecast system used by the SPC.
The highest risk of severe weather will occur in southern Iowa and northern Missouri, with a front pushing storms toward the Chicago area Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, forecast models show.
The main threats from the storms appear to be “severe hail” and tornadoes, but it remains unclear how far east these storms will move before they begin to weaken.
Despite the severity of the threat, periods of showers and thunderstorms are expected Tuesday and Wednesday, according to forecast models. High temperatures are expected to reach the 60s and 70s across the region, with rain continuing overnight and into Wednesday morning.
Once the front passes, with a chance of showers still expected Thursday, temperatures will return to seasonal levels in the mid to upper 50s by Friday.
For all the latest weather news and access to severe storm push alerts, visit the NBC Chicago app.
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