Severe storms and strong winds are expected to sweep through the Chicago area and northwest Indiana on Thursday, with the highest risk for severe weather occurring in the late afternoon and evening. The National Weather Service in Chicago noted that while tornadoes remain a possibility, the threat is significantly lower compared to the March 10 storm outbreak. A powerful cold front is set to bring a sharp drop in temperatures, followed by drier, calmer conditions by the weekend. Live updates from FOX 32 Chicago Weather indicated that severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for parts of Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa, with the most active storms developing south of I-80. Ground stop alerts for O’Hare Airport were extended multiple times throughout the day, with delays lasting until midnight. The Storm Prediction Center classified the southern sections of Chicagoland as an Enhanced Risk level 3, indicating a high likelihood of strong storms producing large hail and damaging wind gusts. Scattered storms began forming late Tuesday afternoon, primarily south of I-88, with reports of lightning and small hail. Activity is expected to intensify through the mid-afternoon, peaking between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. While tornadoes are considered unlikely, isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out in areas south of the Kankakee River Valley. The National Weather Service emphasized that the primary threat remains large hail and strong winds, with localized flooding possible in southern regions. The severe weather is expected to subside by 10 or 11 p.m., leaving temperatures in the 40s by nightfall. A rapid temperature drop of up to 25 degrees could occur within a short period, creating a stark contrast across the region.#national_weather_service #storm_prediction_center #ohare_airport #fox_32_chicago_weather #kankakee_river_valley
