An intensifying system moving toward the Chicago area could bring “waves of rain,” potentially damaging winds and thunderstorms Thursday.
According to the National Weather Service, the storm system is moving through the Southern Plains on a path toward the Great Lakes, where it is expected to arrive Thursday evening.
The biggest threat for damaging winds and heavier rain sits just south and west of Chicago and stretches across northwest Indiana. That area is under a marginal risk for damaging wind gusts, a level one threat out of five.
The window for potentially severe weather will be between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., though gusty conditions are expected to continue through Friday morning.
According to the NWS, southwesterly gusts of up to 35 mph are possible, with the strongest gusts hitting around daybreak Friday.
“The peak wind gusts may line up around the morning commute Friday morning. Secure any loose objects you have outdoors!” the agency warned.
While wind gusts are likely to be the greatest threat with the upcoming system, there are also some flooding concerns, though NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Kevin Jeanes said there are “no big time flooding impacts expected.”
Temperatures are expected to spike around the midnight hour, reaching to near 60 degrees in some locations before temperatures drop back into the 40s by Friday morning.
Another round of rain, and even snow, comes Saturday afternoon and evening, just in time for the Bears’ game against the Packers at Soldier Field.
“It’s going to get windy and colder Saturday night,” Jeanes said.
Highs dip back into the 30s for the weekend.
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