CHICAGO (WLS) — The National Weather Service is warning of a “particularly dangerous situation” with the potential for intense tornadoes across Iowa and northern and western Illinois.
ABC7 Meteorologist Cheryl Scott said damaging winds and tornadoes are possible as potentially severe storms develop rapidly and race through the Chicago area Friday afternoon and evening.
WATCH | When severe storms could hit Chicago area
Strong storms are possible in the Chicago area beginning around 1 to 2 p.m., but the main threat for severe weather will be between 3 p.m. and 11 p.m., Scott said.
Damaging wind gusts greater than 75 mph, large hail, and isolated tornadoes are possible in any storms that develop.
The Storm Prediction Center has placed the southwest suburbs, south suburbs and northwest Indiana under a rarely-issued “moderate” risk of severe weather, a level 4 out of 5. The immediate Chicago area under an “enhanced” risk of severe weather, a level 3 out of 5.
Areas south and west of Chicago are under a 10 to 15% chance of a tornado developing within 25 miles. Chicago into northwest Indiana is under a 5% chance.
“The Storm Prediction Center doesn’t issue those hatched marks unless they’re looking at ingredients coming together where it’s showing a greater probability of some stronger tornadoes,” Scott said.
As a result, Scott said tornadoes with a rating of EF-2 to EF-5 could form.
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A Hazardous Weather Outlook has been issued for Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, McHenry, Kane, Kendall, Grundy and Kankakee counties in Illinois and Porter, Newton, Jasper and Benton counties in Indiana.
A Tornado Watch is in effect for counties in western and central Illinois until 8 p.m.
A Wind Advisory will be in effect from 3 p.m. Friday until 1 p.m. Saturday for eastern Will, Grundy, Kankakee, LaSalle and southern Will counties in Illinois and Benton, Jasper and Newtown counties in Indiana.
Stay tuned to ABC7 Eyewitness News and abc7chicago.com for the latest updates on the potentially severe weather.
Sun-Times Media contributed to this report.
