Chicago Weather: Severe storms could bring high winds, hail, even a tornado Sunday

Severe storm threat is greatest north of I-80 from 8 to 11 p.m.

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Monday, September 7, 2020

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago is bracing for a second round of potentially severe storms this Labor Day Weekend.

The entire Chicago area is under a "slight" risk of severe weather Sunday, according to the Storm Prediction Center. That means scattered severe storms are possible across the area.

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Scattered showers and storms rumbled through Sunday morning as a warm front approached the area. The next round of storms will be more scattered, but pose a slightly higher severe risk.

"We're concerned about the severe weather because the atmosphere is quite unstable and there is a good amount of wind shear aloft," Schwarz said.

Scattered storms will begin to develop as a cold front approaches the area between 7 p.m. Sunday and 1 a.m. Monday.

The main threat with any storms that develop will be damaging winds, large hail and locally heavy rains, though there is also a low risk for tornadoes to develop

Schwarz said he thinks the best chance for a tornado will be later in the day. He said the risk for severe storms is greatest between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.

The main threat for severe weather will be along and north of Interstate 80, Schwarz said.

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The cold front will bring cool, dry conditions on Labor Day.

Most of the Chicago area is in a moderate drought, Schwartz said. The latest models indicate some areas could see several inches of rain over the next six days.