Severe thunderstorms and gusty winds are moving through the Chicago area Tuesday.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch at 1:28 p.m. for most of northeastern Illinois. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued at 2:09 p.m. lasting until 2:45 p.m. for north central Will County and southeastern Cook County.
The severe thunderstorm could bring with it wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour and quarter-size hail, according to the NWS.
In Hyde Park, small hail and heavy winds passed through the area shortly after 2:30 p.m., according to a Sun-Times journalist in the area, setting off car alarms on 53rd Street. By 2:45 p.m., the rain had mostly stopped.
Video captured by a Sun-Times reporter earlier showed hail falling in suburban Palos Hills.
The NWS also issued a flood advisory at 2:28 p.m., warning that minor flooding might occur in the Chicago area along with a storm moving over Cook County and northern Lake County in Indiana.
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago encouraged Chicagoans to reduce water use “before, during and after the storm” to reduce flooding and ensure water quality. Chicagoans can delay showers, flush less frequently and wait to run the dishwasher or washing machine.
As of 4:45 p.m., O’Hare International Airport had canceled 119 flights, and reported average delay times of 67 minutes, according to Flychicago.com. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop for flights to O’Hare until 5:45 p.m.
The FAA also reported average delay times of 30 minutes at Midway Airport.
Temperatures will hover in the 70s during the day but will drop to the mid-50s at night.
Another round of storms could move across the region Wednesday, with similar temperatures as Tuesday.
However the warm weather won’t last as temperatures will cool Thursday and Friday with a high in the mid-60s.
Showers and thunderstorms could continue into Wednesday.
“Now that we’re heading into the warmer season, the potential for thunderstorms is going to be off and on,” said Jake Petr, an NWS meteorologist.