Chicago Weather: Area bracing for potential Monday storms
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The threat of severe weather Monday is increasing as two bands of storms could be headed to the Chicago area.
There is a moderate risk for severe weather Monday, as the first line of severe storms could arrive during first part of the morning's commute. Those storms could bring damaging winds and possibly some large hail.
"We look at several parameters to determine the threat of severe weather, and all of them are very high," said ABC7 Eyewitness News meteorologist Phil Schwarz. "We're going to have a lot of instability. The potential energy in the atmosphere is extremely high and there will be a lot of turning with the height of the directions of the winds, that's called wind shear."
Those first storms are forecast to move out and early Monday afternoon both the temperature and humidity are expected to rise.
More strong storms are expected to develop during the afternoon hours, some of which could possibly produce tornadoes as they move southeast across the area.
There will be a flash flood watch in effect from 1 a.m. Monday until 1 a.m. Tuesday.
"It will feel like a steam bath Monday when it's not raining and that moisture could lead to flooding," Schwarz said.
A moderate risk means that widespread severe storms are likely, beginning as early as before sunrise Monday and continuing into Monday night. It will not storm the entire time, but when the storms arrive, they could pack high winds and heavy rain.
Check back with ABC7Chicago.com for warnings and updates, and tune into ABC7 News starting at 4:30 a.m. Monday for complete coverage from meteorologist Tracy Butler and the ABC7 First Alert Weather Team.
