CHICAGO – A heat advisory is in effect for the Chicago area today, with the heat index expected to reach 100 to 105 degrees. The risk for severe thunderstorms will increase this afternoon, bringing the potential for damaging winds and heavy rain.
The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 9 p.m. for Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, and Will counties in Illinois, as well as Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, and Porter counties in Indiana.
Additionally, Severe Thunderstorm Warnings have been issued for Central Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, LaSalle, and Will counties, with some storms capable of producing wind gusts up to 70 mph.
Looking ahead, the chance for rain and storms will continue through Friday and into Saturday. Friday’s forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies with highs in the mid-80s.
Temperatures will climb over the weekend, with highs in the upper 80s under partly sunny skies on Saturday, followed by mostly sunny conditions and temperatures around 90 degrees on Sunday.
The heat intensifies early next week, with sunny skies and highs in the mid-90s expected on Monday. Tuesday will be mostly sunny with highs in the low 90s, before a cooldown brings temperatures back to the low 80s on Wednesday.
