Golfball-sized hail could be raining down on the Windy City this evening.
When it rains it hailstorms — that looks to be the case with weather forecast in Chicago today. Meteorologists are expecting “several waves of storms” complete with “frequent lightning” and, oh yeah, hail as large as “ping-pong” balls.
Can we say that it’s officially the apocalypse now?
If you’ve got a good book, or have been itching to binge that one crime series on Netflix — today’s your day. The thunderstorms will come down on Chicago throughout the day, but are reported to reach their strongest between 6 pm and 11 pm.
[7:00 AM CDT 5/14/2020] Several waves of storms are likely today with downpours and frequent lightning. This evening, storms may become severe with damaging winds, large hail, and flash flooding possible. Stay up to date on the forecast! #ilwx #inwx pic.twitter.com/WTWiWqU95L
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) May 14, 2020
Batten down the hatches, folks, because according to NWS Chicago, “this evening, storms may become severe with damaging winds, large hail, and flash flooding possible.”
Their report indicated that those under the highest risk are areas along and south of I-80. Possible hazards included: 60-70 mph wind gusts, flash flooding, ping pong ball hail, and frequent lightning.
“If thunderstorms repeatedly develop and move over the same area this evening,” NWS Chicago reported, “localized flash flooding is likely with isolated rainfall totals in excess of 3 inches.”
Yet, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Friday’s forecast shows partly cloudy, partly sunny skies with a chance of a shower or two in the morning. The weather is reported to clear up even more by Saturday.
[Featured image via shutterstock]