Current conditions across the entire Chicagoland area will likely lead to significant severe weather in Lake County later this afternoon and into the evening. With temperatures and humidity rising as warm, moist air is pulled into the area, a line of strong thunderstorms now over Iowa is forecast to race east into the Chicago area this afternoon. As the storms move through our area this afternoon from west to east, it is likely that there will be widespread damaging (and potentially significant) winds, isolated hail, and locally intense rainfall.  Timing is dependent on the movement of the storms throughout the rest of the day, but it is expected that storms could impact areas in the western part of the Chicago forecast area, such as Dixon and Rockford, as early as 2:00 to 2:30 this afternoon, and subsequently reach Lake County between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.

The greatest threat for the potential storms this afternoon will be widespread damaging and potentially significant winds of 70 mph or greater. While long-track tornadoes are not likely, smaller spin-up tornadoes and microburst winds are possible along the leading edge of the storm front. Isolated hail up to quarter size is also possible, along with brief localized heavy rain and flash flooding.

National Weather Service Forecasters described that the arrival of severe weather this afternoon will likely seem very sudden to most people, with conditions changing very quickly from sunny, hot and humid to dark, stormy, and 60 mph winds in a matter of minutes. Because of the suddenness with which storms will likely arrive, coupled with the current summer-like weather outside, many people who are outside enjoying the numerous fairs, festivals, and other community activities across the region may not be expecting severe weather and may be unprepared to receive timely weather warning information.