Severe thunderstorm warnings, watches issued as storms approach the Chicago area

UPDATE: The threat of severe weather has since moved out of the Chicago area. Find Real-time severe weather alerts here.

Severe thunderstorm watches and warnings were issued late Friday as intense storms moved toward the Chicago area.

A tornado touched down south of Wheaton at around 9 p.m., according to NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Pete Sack. A tornado warning was briefly issued for portions of DuPage and Kane counties, but has since expired.

At least 11 tornadoes ripped through several Chicago suburbs Wednesday, and experts say that number could rise as damage is still being surveyed. Another system brought tornado warnings to McHenry County Thursday.

So when are the storms expected to hit and where?

Friday evening

In a tweet at 8:39 p.m., a line of storms was moving east across Northern Illinois and intensifying as it approached the Chicago area, according to the National Weather Service.

As a result, a severe thunderstorm watch was extended to numerous area counties, which could potentially see wind gusts of around 60 miles per hour, frequent lightning, hail and downpours.

A line of storms is moving east through Northern Illinoi and intensifying as it gets closer to the Chicago Metro area. The Severe Thunderstorm Watch was continued through 10 PM. #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/CEXmLPQUzn

— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) July 15, 2023

Thunderstorms were slated to continue through the overnight hours, with showers and storms continuing in the morning. The NWS reports the greatest instances of local, heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding is most likely to take place south and east of Interstate 57.

Saturday and Sunday

According to NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Alicia Roman, Friday's afternoon and evening storms are expected to linger into the weekend, with some scattered showers expected Saturday morning.

More rain and potentially strong, scattered thunderstorms are expected to move into the area Saturday afternoon, Roman said, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Stormy pattern will continue into the wknd, followed by a cooler and drier lull to start next work wk. PM severe threat today, then Sat. aftn may have sct’d strong t-storms. Much of Sun. could be dry until threat for a few late day into eve. showers and t-storms. #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/w07dHC2Awa

— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) July 14, 2023

Sunday, more dry time is expected, the NBC 5 Storm Team said, with a low chance of a late-day storm.

High temperatures both weekend days are expected to be in the mid 80s, forecast models show.