National Weather Service officials are expecting several rounds of thunderstorms to hit the Chicago area Wednesday, creating high waves on Lake Michigan and possible torrential downpours.
The torrential downpours may cause flooding in some areas, officials said. Heavy, overnight rain also is expected. A flood watch also was issued in effect from 1 p.m. Wednesday until 1 p.m. Thursday.
Today’s Chicago White Sox game is delayed, while Adrian Houser is scratched from his start
The coming storms are expected to strengthen northeast winds, building waves on Lake Michigan that will cause dangerous swimming conditions at beaches, officials said. A beach hazard is in effect in Lake County and northern and central Cook County in Illinois from 1 p.m. Wednesday through Friday afternoon, officials said. The beach hazard was also called in Indiana in Lake and Porter counties.
High waves of 5 to 9 feet and dangerous currents are expected at Lake Michigan beaches, officials said.
The storms threatening the area are capable of producing isolated damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph as well as torrential downpours, officials said.
Current afternoon conditions at O’Hare International Airport are light rain at 77 degrees. At Midway Airport farther south, conditions are thunderstorm/ light rain at 79 degrees.
Temperatures in the high 70s are expected Wednesday and the mid 70s Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
