After a day of picture-perfect skies, the Chicago area saw a round of storms, some potentially severe, to start of the work week.
With Severe Thunderstorm Watches and Warnings across the area Monday afternoon and evening, several Chicago suburbs reported hail, lightning and heavy downpours.
Pea-sized and dime-sized hail was reported in DeKalb, quarter-sized hail was seen in Gurnee and hail of more an inch was spotted in McHenry and Lake.
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Cook and DuPage counties until 9:45 p.m.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was issued for much of the metro area and parts of northwest Indiana Monday afternoon. The watch remains in effect until 10 p.m. for most counties and warns of hail, damaging winds gusts in excess of 60 mph, heavy downpours and frequent lightning.
By 9 p.m., however, the watch was canceled for Lake, McHenry, Boone, Lee, Ogle and Winnebago counties.
Local
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for Kane, Cook, McHenry and Lake counties after a severe storm was located over Gilberts, near Sleepy Hollow, and was moving east at 40 mph. The storm was capable of producing quarter-sized hail and 60 mph winds, forecasters warned. The warning expired at 7:45 p.m.
Monday saw windy conditions and unseasonably warm temperatures before scattered showers and thunderstorms developed late in the afternoon and through the evening.
A few isolated severe storms were possible with large hail, damaging winds and brief downpours.
The showers and thunderstorms were expected to end between 10 p.m. Monday and midnight as conditions remain windy and mild overnight.
But enjoy the warmth while you can because within 24 hours temperatures will plummet by nearly 40 degrees.
Tuesday will be mostly cloudy, windy and much cooler. Highs in the upper 50s to low 60s early, then falling into the 40s along the lakefront and several miles inland, with low to mid 50s well inland and upper 50s in far southwest counties.
Showers and isolated thunderstorms have the possibility to return Wednesday. The day will be mostly cloudy, windy and chilly. Highs in the mid to upper 40s along the lakefront rising into the low to mid 50s inland.
Thursday more showers are likely, with isolated thunderstorms possible; windy and chilly. Highs in the low to mid 50s inland, but cooler mid to upper 40s along the lakefront.
A day of relief from the rain comes Friday, turning sunny, breezy and cool. Highs in the mid to upper 50s inland, but cooler 40s along the lakefront.
Unfortunately it will not stay dry for long.
Saturday will be mostly cloudy, breezy and cool with showers developing late, breezy and cool. Highs in the mid to upper 50s inland, but cooler 40s along the lake.
It will be a wet weekend, as more showers likely are likely Sunday. The day will be windy and chilly. Highs in the low to mid 50s inland, but cooler 40s along the lake.
