Thunderstorm watch cancelled as weakening storms move through Chicago area
The Chicago weather threat Thursday includes the possibility of severe storms bringing very large hail, damaging winds, and a lower but not zero chance of tornadoes.
The storms had prompted a handful of severe thunderstorm warnings Thursday afternoon, but all have since expired.
A severe thunderstorm watch that had been in place until 11 p.m. for most of the Chicago area was cancelled early as the threat of severe storms had significantly diminished.
Ground stops that had been in place at O'Hare and Midway airports also have expired.
The greatest severe storm risk south of I-80. Large hail and damaging winds are the main concerns, with egg-size hail possible from Chicago southward.
The National Weather Service predicts the biggest threat for severe storms is between 3 p.m. and midnight Thursday. The tornado threat now appears lower as the accelerating cold front cuts off heat and moisture through the afternoon, but an isolated tornado is still possible from Kankakee County into Northwest Indiana through 7 p.m.
The NWS said the storm could produce hail over 2 inches in diameter, and winds could reach 60 miles per hour.
There is also the possibility for heavy downpours, with as much as one and a half inches of rain falling, which could cause flooding issues, especially in low-lying areas and on roads.
Behind the front this evening, temperatures drop steadily with strong north winds gusting over 40 mph. Storms exit the area by midnight.
By midday, some storms had already started moving through the south and southwest suburbs. One CBS News Chicago viewer in Joliet reported some small hail falling from a thunderstorm that came through around 11:45 a.m.