A line of thunderstorms will sweep through northern Illinois this evening, with weather officials warning that it will bring damaging winds, heavy downpours and possibly localized flash floods.
The squall line will move in a southeasterly direction and is expected to begin impacting northern Illinois at 5 p.m. this evening, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
The storms will continue moving southeast at approximately 35 mph and are expected to hit Lake and McHenry counties at around 8 p.m.
They will then move into northwest Indiana late at night and into early Sunday morning.
“Strong damaging wind gusts and heavy downpours will accompany these storms through the evening,” NWS said.
“The heavy rainfall could cause some instances of localized flash flooding,” NWS added.
Weather officials say you should move indoors if you hear thunder and use caution when driving in heavy rain.
“Stay weather aware!” officials said. “Ensure you have multiple ways to get warnings!”
After the storms pass, temperatures will start to cool for Sunday.
“However, temperatures will slowly increase into Tuesday once again as heat index values rise,” NWS said.
“There is also the potential for another storm system that may move in Tuesday afternoon/evening,” NWS added.