The Chicago area is set to see a wet and rainy start to the week as the forecast Monday includes intermittent periods of showers and storms, a flood watch and the chance of severe weather.
According to the NBC 5 Storm Team, the first round of showers is expected to hit after the morning commute, around 9 a.m., with storms and heavy rain likely to pick up between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
More rain is expected to fall during the afternoon commute, NBC 5 Meteorologist Kevin Jeanes said, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. During that time, the Chicago area faces a "marginal" risk of severe weather, which ranks as level one of five on the Storm Prediction Center's five-level scale.
According to forecast models, the greatest weather threats Monday afternoon will likely be localized flooding and damaging winds of up to 60 miles per hour. However, a tornado cannot be ruled out, Jeanes said.
And while the severe weather risk remains on the lower side, "torrential rainfall" could lead to flash flooding in some parts of Northeastern Illinois, the National Weather Service said.
According to the NWS, a flood watch at 10 a.m. will go into effect for McHenry, Lake, Kane, DuPage and some parts of Cook County.
"Rainfall rates in excess of an inch per hour are likely with the heaviest showers," an alert from the NWS said, "and this may lead to instances of flash flooding."
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Additionally, "breezy onshore winds are expected to result in large waves and hazardous swim conditions this afternoon and tonight," the NWS said.
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The flood watch will remain in effect until midnight, the NWS said.
Scattered, heavy showers are expected to continue Monday night, the NBC 5 Storm Team said, with some rain lasting into the overnight hours.
Temperatures Monday are expected to be cooler, with highs reaching only into the low-to-mid 70s. However, temperatures will climb as the week goes on Jeanes said, with readings in the 80s by mid-week.
Next week, temperatures are expected to reach into the 90s, the NBC 5 Storm Team said.
