Chicago weather: Storms could turn severe Saturday, with high winds, hail, tornadoes possible

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago area is under the threat of severe weather this weekend as several rounds of storms are expected to sweep through.

The greatest risks in any storms that develop will be high winds, large hail, and heavy rain – but isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out, ABC7 Meteorologist Cheryl Scott said.

Isolated showers and thunder will begin to move into the area Friday evening and overnight, but no severe weather is expected.

However, several more rounds of showers and storms are expected to develop Saturday – and these will have potential to turn severe.

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Isolated storms will develop between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, but the better chance for severe weather will be in the afternoon and evening.

“Especially between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., that will be the window where we’re really fine-tuning the forecast and watching for the threat of severe weather in the area,” Scott said.

According to the Storm Prediction Center, the entire Chicago area is under a “slight” risk for severe weather on Saturday – a level 2 out of 5.

There is a 5% probability of a tornado within 25 miles of any given point in the Chicago area on Saturday, Scott said.

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