Chicago weather: Heavy rain, storms may lead to flash flooding Thursday evening through Saturday

CHICAGO - Scattered showers and storms are moving through Chicagoland this evening and will continue tonight. Heavy downpours, gusty winds, and hail are the primary concerns.

A Flood Watch has been issued for the following counties through 7 a.m. Friday: McHenry, Lake (IL), DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, Cook, Kendall, and northern Will counties.

Chicago weather: Heavy rain, storms may lead to flash flooding Thursday evening through Saturday

Emily Wahls has your weather update!

Storms will be capable of high rain rates, which may lead to flooding. If you're driving and come across a flooded street, underpass, viaduct, etc., do not drive through the water! There is a good likelihood your car will stall out, and it's difficult to gauge how deep the water is when it's on a road. 

On and off showers and thunderstorms will remain in the forecast tonight through Saturday. Tonight will be warm with lows around 70 degrees.

Current Watches/Warnings: 

• Flood Watch is in effect for McHenry, Lake (IL), DeKalb, Kane, Cook, DuPage, Kendall, LaSalle, Grundy and Will Counties until 7 a.m., Friday.
• Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for LaSalle County until 12:30 p.m.

Live Updates

• 11:11 p.m. - Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for LaSalle County until 12:30 p.m. Severe storms are moving southeast at 25 mph into LaSalle County with 60 mph wind gusts.
• 8:58 p.m. - Heavy rain and strong winds swept through the Marengo area, toppling trees, blocking roads and downing power lines, according to the Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts.Impacted roads included River Road, Millstream Road and Garden Prairie Road in unincorporated McHenry County, as well as Randall Court in Marengo.Residents are urged to avoid downed wires and assume all power lines are live.
• Impacted roads included River Road, Millstream Road and Garden Prairie Road in unincorporated McHenry County, as well as Randall Court in Marengo.
• Residents are urged to avoid downed wires and assume all power lines are live.

• 8:45 p.m. - The Windy City Smokeout is getting staff prepared to open the gates soon. Patrons are urged to wait and follow security and staff directions before re-entry.

• 8:36 p.m. - A ground delay has been issued at O'Hare International Airport due to thunderstorms, according to the FAA. Departures to O'Hare are delayed by an average of 342 minutes.
• 8:15 p.m. - Thursday's game between the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Guardians was postponed due to rain, according to the Associated Press. This marked the start of a four-game series and it will be made up with a doubleheader planned on Friday.The opener of a four-game series between the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox on Thursday night was postponed because of rain.
• The opener of a four-game series between the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox on Thursday night was postponed because of rain.
• 7:40 p.m. - The severe storm in Kankakee County is now capable of producing 2-inch hail and 60 mph winds. Residents should seek shelter and park cars indoors if possible.
• 7:30 p.m. - The Windy City Smokeout is evacuating patrons due to severe weather. Everyone in the Smokeout park is urged to exit the festival to the Malcolm X College Parking Garage.

• 7:15 p.m. - Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Kankakee County and Will County until 8:15 p.m.
• 7:00 p.m. - Special Weather Statement issued for Will and Kankakee Counties. A strong thunderstorm is near Lakewood Shores and Wilmington, with wind gusts up to 50 mph possible and half-inch hail.
• 6:30 p.m. - Storms are increasing in coverage Thursday evening as they move from McHenry County into Grundy and Will Counties.The storms are also moving toward NW Cook and DuPage County. There is a strong storm impacting Will County with winds of up to 50 mph.
• The storms are also moving toward NW Cook and DuPage County. There is a strong storm impacting Will County with winds of up to 50 mph.
• 6 p.m. - Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Kane County until 6:45 p.m.A severe storm was located over Hampshire, or near Huntley, moving east at 30 mph. 60 mph wind gusts are expected.
• A severe storm was located over Hampshire, or near Huntley, moving east at 30 mph. 60 mph wind gusts are expected.
• 5:45 p.m. - Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for McHenry County until 6:45 p.m.Severe storms were located along a line extending from near Harvard to near Marengo to near Kingston. Storms are moving east at 30 mph and 60 mph wind gusts are possible.
• Severe storms were located along a line extending from near Harvard to near Marengo to near Kingston. Storms are moving east at 30 mph and 60 mph wind gusts are possible.
• 5:33 p.m. - The Chicago Office of Emergency Management has issued a Flood Watch until 7 a.m., July 11 for McHenry, Lake (IL), DeKalb, Kane, Cook, DuPage, Kendall and Will Counties.
• 5:30 p.m. - Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for DeKalb and LaSalle Counties until 6:15 p.m.A severe thunderstorm was located near Paw Paw, moving east at 20 mph. Ping pong ball-sized hail and 60 mph wind gusts are possible.
• A severe thunderstorm was located near Paw Paw, moving east at 20 mph. Ping pong ball-sized hail and 60 mph wind gusts are possible.

• 5:15 p.m. - A strong thunderstorm is moving into SW McHenry County. Nickel-sized hail, torrential rain and lightning are possible.
• 4:15 p.m. - There is a risk of flash flooding Thursday evening and night with any thunderstorms that develop.The severe storm in Lee County is now producing hail up to 2" in diameter and 60 mph winds. There are also signs of rotation as the system moves eastward toward DeKalb County.
• The severe storm in Lee County is now producing hail up to 2" in diameter and 60 mph winds. There are also signs of rotation as the system moves eastward toward DeKalb County.
• 4 p.m. - A severe thunderstorm located over Dixon in Lee County. The storm quickly developed and is now capable of producing 60 mph winds, torrential rain and ping-pong ball-sized hail.

Looking Ahead :

Friday is expected to be hot and humid with highs in the low 90s. Saturday will be another hot and humid day with highs likely reaching into the upper 80s, despite rain chances.

We finally dry out late this weekend with skies becoming partly cloudy on Sunday. Temperatures will be in the mid-80s Sunday afternoon.

Monday will be another warm one with highs near 90 under sunny skies. A few showers or storms could return to the forecast by Tuesday and Wednesday.