As thousands cleaned up from flood damage during Thursday night storms, another round of storms came amid a volatile, hot weekend bringing with them the potential for torrential rainfall in some areas and more flash flooding.
NBC 5 weather models showed isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms developing again early Saturday afternoon and evening. Though the amount of storms wasn't as numerous as in recent days, heavy rain caused problems in several areas.
Some storms were expected to produce a rainfall rate of around one inch per hour, according to the National Weather Service.
The main threat was flash flooding.
The weather service issued a Flood Warning for part of Cook and DuPage counties and Porter County in Northwest Indiana, which remained in effect until 6:30 p.m.
Flooding caused major traffic issues along Interstate 90/94 Saturday afternoon.
Residents reported flooding across Northwest Indiana and NWS reported Route 53 near Lewis University was impassable due to flooding.
Flash flooding was also reported in parts of Des Plaines.
A home in Naperville was damaged Saturday afternoon after it was struck by lightning during the storms. No injuries were reported.
The area got a reprieve from rain Friday with partly cloudy and very warm conditions. High temperatures reached into the mid- to upper-80s with heat index readings near 90 degrees.
Several inches of rain fell across the area overnight, particularly on the south and southwest sides, prompting portions of the Eisenhower and Kennedy expressways to close and delays on the Chicago Transit Authority.
Thursday evening rainfall totals included 3.12 inches of rain in Wheatfield, Indiana; 2.6 inches in Downers Grove; 2.3 inches in Woodridge; and 2.09 inches in Burnham. Three inches of rain fell at Midway Airport between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Another 1.47 inches fell at O’Hare during the same time.
A whopping 5.01 inches fell in the Oak Lawn and Burbank areas.
Periodic scattered showers and storms returned to the radar Saturday, which was expected to otherwise be another warm day with highs in the low to mid-80s.
Sunday looks to be the hottest day as temps are expected to reach the low 90s and heat index readings could range from 95 degrees to 105 degrees in some areas.
A light lake breeze will cool the lakefront by Sunday night, possibly igniting a few storms.
Showers and storms stay in the forecast through much of next week as high temps persist and heat index readings remain near 100.
