Multiple waves of storms are once again expected in the Chicago area this week, this time bringing with them a greater threat for tornadoes, one day after dangerous winds and storms left many across the region cleaning up debris and damage.
Two rounds of storms are possible, but one will bring a bigger threat to the region than the other.
According to NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Alicia Roman, the first round is expected to move in during the late morning and early afternoon hours. This round of storms will likely impact northern counties most.
While this round could bring isolated severe storms, and has less certainty of developing, the second wave of storms will begin around 4 p.m. and bring the strongest threat for tornadoes.
“The second one is the one I’m most concerned about,” Roman said.
According to the Storm Prediction Center, the entire Chicago area will be at an “enhanced risk” of severe weather on Thursday, the third of five levels used by the SPC to determine the likelihood of damaging storms.
A window between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. will see a chance for strong tornadoes.
“Maybe EF-1 or 2 or greater,” Roman said.
The National Weather Service reports the areas at a greatest risk for tornadoes will be suburbs north, northwest and west of Chicago.
“The threat for tornadoes will be the highest if storms can stay discrete or by themselves,” the NWS wrote on X. “The main source of uncertainty is where the warm front will stall this evening. It may be in northern Illinois or southern Wisconsin.”
The agency urged residents to “take tornado warnings seriously” and have multiple ways of getting alerts. (Download the NBC Chicago app for live updates throughout the evening)
The storms will still move across much of the Chicago area through the evening, with widespread coverage by 7 p.m.
They threaten to bring yet another round of damaging winds, with gusts in excess of 60 mph possible once again.
The system is expected to move through quickly, leaving much of the area by 10 p.m.
They’ll be followed by a cold front that will send temperatures will drop down into the 60s overnight, paving the way for a more pleasant day on Friday, with high temperatures in the low-80s under mostly sunny skies.
The storms come just one day after intense winds and storms left many Chicago-area residents cleaning up damage and without power.
Severe storms left damage across the Chicago suburbs on Wednesday, including partially peeled off the roof of an apartment building. Randy Gyllenhaal reports.
Another round of showers and storms could roll through on Saturday, but Sunday will once again be pleasant, with highs expected in the mid-to-upper 70s.
Stay tuned to the NBC 5 Storm Team throughout the day Thursday for the latest updates on the potential for severe weather, and be sure to download the NBC Chicago app for real-time weather alerts sent directly to your phone.
