Chicago weather: Severe storms possible in south suburbs

CHICAGO - A few strong to severe storms are possible Thursday evening, especially across the far south suburbs. The storms are associated with a cold front that is sinking southward through the Chicago area in the evening.

Any storms that end up reaching severe criteria will have the potential for damaging wind gusts and large hail.

The Storm Prediction Center has downgraded most of the Chicago area to a Marginal Risk, which is a level 1 of 5 on their severe risk scale. The exception to this is in far southern LaSalle, Grundy, and Kankakee Counties where there is a Slight Risk. A Slight Risk is a level 2 of 5.

The severe weather risk will taper off late this evening. Following the passage of the cold front, skies will clear and cooler weather will settle in for Friday and Saturday.

Friday looks like a spectacular day with sunny skies and highs in the low 80s but cooler near the lake. Temperatures will top out around 80 again on Saturday with increasing cloud cover expected through the day.

The heat doesn't stay away for long, temperatures will soar into the low to mid 90s again by Father's Day.