Potentially severe storms capable of producing wind gusts of more than 75 mph started moving into the Chicago area late Monday morning, sparking weather alerts for a number of counties as storms rolled across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana.
The intensifying storms brought threats of potentially destructive winds, damaging hail, lightning, heavy downpours and possibly even a brief tornado.
Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued across the area as the storms traveled from west to east across the metro area and into northwest Indiana.
A severe thunderstorm warning remained in effect in southeastern Will and northeastern Kankakee counties in Illinois, along with Newton, Porter, Lake and Jasper counties in northwest Indiana were under a thunderstorm warning until 2 p.m. CT,. With that system, forecasters highlighted a threat of "tornado-like winds."
"This is a very dangerous storm with tornado-like wind speeds moving into Peotone, Beecher, Grand Park, and northwestern Indiana. Winds will uproot trees and damage structures. Take cover if you are in this warning!" the National Weather Service tweeted at the time.
Porter, Lake and Jasper counties in Indiana were extended until 2:30 p.m. CT.
The entire Chicago area was under a severe thunderstorm watch until 4 p.m. CT, but the watch was canceled for nearly all counties except for Newton and Jasper counties in northwest Indiana. Meanwhile LaPorte County in northwest Indiana is under a watch until 7 p.m. CT.
Local
The system will likely be fast-moving, with much of the area seeing storms move out before 6 p.m.
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By 2 p.m., reports of downed trees and wind damage could be seen from far northwest suburbs to southern suburbs. In South Elgin, fire officials urged caution as crews responded to "numerous wires down" near South Elgin Boulevard and Walnut Street. Damage stretched down to Kankakee where officials also reported downed power lines and poles.
Metra reported delays for some trains on the Milwaukee District North line "due to a tree on the tracks."
Evanston police said the storms sparked power outages and downed trees that could cause traffic disruptions, particularly near Central Street, where damage was said to be "most significant."
As of 12:45 p.m. O'Hare International Airport was seeing inbound flights delayed an average of nearly 90 minutes, while all inbound flights were being "held at their origin" until 1:15 p.m. CT. Meanwhile, Midway Airport saw all inbound flights held at their origin until 1:30 p.m. CT.
The Chicago area had been under an "enhanced" risk of severe weather, with the biggest threats being frequent lightning, damaging winds in excess of 75 miles per hour, quarter-size hail and heavy rain, which could possibly lead localized flooding.
And while the risk for a tornado remained low, it couldn't be ruled out, NBC 5 Storm Team said.
The greatest risk for severe conditions, particularly the higher wind gusts, sat north of Interstate 80.
While Monday's temperatures accompanying the storm will remain hot and muggy with highs in the upper-80s, a much quieter pattern of weather is expected to take hold as the week goes on.
Dry, sunny skies and highs in the upper-70s to low-80s are expected not just through the remainder of the work week, but into the Labor Day holiday weekend as well.
Residents are urged to download the NBC Chicago app to receive the latest alerts on severe weather, and for the latest live radar images from across the region.
