The Chicago area could see “slightly” severe weather on Friday, which could disrupt airport and road travel depending on when the storm arrives.
That “slight” risk extends across the Chicago area and northwest Indiana, where the threat of any type of severe weather could develop on Friday, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
According to NBC 5 Storm Team forecast models, the cold front is expected to move quickly toward the Chicago area on Friday afternoon, around the time many residents are heading out for the Memorial Day holiday.
Forecast models indicate that the initial storms will reach severe levels, potentially bringing damaging winds and hail. The SPC said low-level shear could produce brief tornadoes along the Wisconsin-Illinois border, but the threat of tornado activity will be present throughout the region.
Further south, damaging wind gusts are also possible, which could disrupt travel on regional highways, especially for taller vehicles.
The thunderstorms could also affect area airports, with ground stops stranding planes at their departure points or preventing departing flights from O'Hare and Midway airports from mid-to-late afternoon.
Forecast models indicate a second wave of showers and storms could arrive in the evening, but will likely be more sporadic in nature.
Temperatures will drop as the front moves through, with partly sunny skies on Saturday, but highs are expected to be in the low 70s F. Showers and thunderstorms will be possible again on Sunday, and this weather is expected to continue into Monday morning.
High temperatures are expected to settle into the low 70s Fahrenheit both days, with comfortable weather expected once the cold front passes through.
You can catch all the latest developments, live radar and more on the NBC Chicago app, the NBC 5 Storm Team on TV and our 24/7 streaming service.
