Severe storms prompt tornado warnings in Chicago area

A round of watches and warnings is in effect for parts of the Chicago area, some with the possibility of producing damaging hail and tornadoes.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect until 9:45 p.m. for Lake and Porter counties in Indiana.

The storm system that prompted a tornado warning hit Bartlett and Hanover Park especially hard, with 3-inch tree limbs reported down in Bartlett.

The intense storms advanced south and west through the area, pounding the west and southwest suburbs of Chicago as of 7:15 p.m. Rain was pouring in the Loop by 7:30 p.m.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was issued on Wednesday afternoon for several counties surrounding the Chicago area. The watch remains in place until 10 p.m. for parts of Illinois, including Kankakee and Livingston counties. Lake and Porter counties in Indiana have also been added to the watch, also until 10 p.m.

A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for Cook County and for Lake and Porter counties in Indiana until 11:45 p.m.

A Tornado Warning was issued earlier for a compact section of far northwest Cook and northeast Kane counties in Illinois, but has since expired.

The Carpentersville and West Dundee areas were affected by the warning, which was set to also pass over Elgin, Hoffman Estates, Streamwood, Barrington, and Inverness. The storm system was headed in the eventual direction of the city of Chicago, passing through the downtown area during the 7 p.m. hour.

As the storms pounded the area, Bartlett and Hanover Park were hit especially hard, with 3-inch tree limbs reported down in Bartlett.

Quarter-sized hail was also reported.

There are no ground stops currently active for O'Hare and Midway airports.

A second round of storms is expected later Wednesday night, passing through the area between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. This storm system was over Wisconsin as of 7:15 p.m.

The severe storm threat should fade late Wednesday evening as a cold front moves through.