Key Highlights
- NBC 5 Storm Team predicts severe weather with “all weather hazards at play.”
- Hail could be golf or even tennis ball-size in some areas.
- Potential for strong to severe tornadoes and heavy downpours.
- Chicago area under a slight risk of severe weather, with enhanced risk near Cook County.
The Storm is Coming: Chicago on High Alert
And here we go again. Chicago’s weather forecast is nothing if not dramatic, but this time the sky is literally splitting open like it’s 1950s B-movie. Alicia Roman from NBC 5’s Storm Team dropped a bombshell: “Think golf, or even tennis ball-size hail in some areas.” Not always. But it sure sounds ominous.
Severe Weather: A Full Arsenal
So what can you expect? By the time you’re reading this, strong to severe storms will have moved into the Chicago area around 3 p.m., with heavy downpours, flash flooding, and winds up to 70 mph. And don’t get too cozy, because some parts of the city are under a slight risk for tornadoes.
Large Hail: The Real Threat
Let’s talk about the hail. According to the National Weather Service, it ranks as level three out of five—meaning golf or even tennis ball-size chunks of ice could be coming your way. That’s serious, folks. And while most areas can expect heavy downpours and flooding, Cook County and surrounding regions are under an enhanced risk.
A Unusual Severe Threat
This is a little unusual when you talk about severe threats around Chicago. The hail alone could be the biggest threat in some storm cells. Kevin Jeanes from NBC 5’s Storm Team explained, “That is a little unusual when you talk about severe threats around Chicago, that there could be some really large hail within some of these storm cells.” Not exactly what you’d expect to see on a normal Tuesday afternoon.
So, weather enthusiasts and residents alike, prepare your umbrellas and huddle under the nearest sturdy building. The writing is on the wall—this isn’t just rain clouds; it’s the real deal. Stay safe, folks.